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Purpose

With the rapid increase in mental health concerns, the need for therapists and new methods continues to rise as well. Many counselors are beginning to use modified versions of Jenga and Dungeons and Dragons to conduct effective therapy. Thus, this game is an attempt to design a another creative approach to help clients. 

Who Can Play?

This virtual board game is uniquely designed for those showing symptoms/diagnosis of Depression, Anxiety and/or PTSD. This is designed to be played in a therapeutic setting - a counselor can play this game with their client.   

Goal of Game

To help clients identify and understand how their symptoms affect their functioning. Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as the basis, this game will serve to be an innovative way for counselors to help clients. 

Idea Inspiration

Independent Study and Mentorship (ISM) Winter Showcase

The pandemic dramatically impacted us in ways we never imagined. With the looming uncertainty of future, it was scary for a lot of people. Especially, people with mental health issues. When the pandemic came, I was shadowing a counselor to learn about therapy. I saw her transition from in-person to virtual therapy and she would explain how hard it is to work with clients online. To help her and other therapists in this situation, I created Thought Maze - a virtual counseling game.

 

This layout has various symbolic meanings. My intended message is that understanding ourselves is like navigating through the maze in our mind. The core of it has different concepts related to psychology and mental health because I strongly believe that understanding these concepts is the key to understanding ourselves and ultimately, reaching the heart of the maze.

 

 

Research on Depression and Anxiety

Depression

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Major depressive disorder (MDD) negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act.  Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home. (APA)

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Some symptoms include changes in appetite, trouble sleeping or sleeping too much, loss of energy or increased fatigue, feeling worthless or guilty, difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions (APA) 

Anxiety

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Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) involves persistent and excessive worry that interferes with daily activities. Often the worries focus on everyday things such as job responsibilities, family health or minor matters such as chores, car repairs, or appointments. (APA)

This ongoing worry and tension may be accompanied by physical symptoms, such as restlessness, feeling on edge or easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension or problems sleeping. (APA)

Research on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 

According to the American Psychiatric Association, PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event.

 

Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.​ This board game has been designed with questions that address these symptoms. 

Each level of the game includes cards that address these phases

Phase 1

Phase 2

Phase 3

  • Make sure client feels safe

  • Psycho-education

  • Give hope and normalize the situation

  • Trauma confrontation

  • Process unresolved feelings, memories, experiences

  • Consolidate changes

  • Goals and moving forward

According to the American Psychiatric Association, PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event.

 

Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.​ This board game has been designed with questions that address these symptoms. 

Benefits of Board Games & Questioning Style

This game is especially beneficial during this pandemic 

(COVID-19) as it offers an interactive ​way for therapists to counsel. Quarantine makes it especially hard for those diagnosed/with symptoms of mental health disorders. 

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Other general benefits of board games include:

  • Clearly defined rules will help clients learn to delay immediate fulfillment of desires

  • Improves focus

  • A creative way of learning and understanding

  • Promotes brain growth: problem-solving, cognitive skills

  • Learn skills like planning and detecting patterns

To understand how to formulate questions, I referred to Socratic Questioning and reviewed Motivational Interviewing

To understand symptops for game cards, I referred to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Metal Disorders 

The game cards are based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), the most frequently used therapy technique

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The levels of the game are based on a reverse Cognitive Model. 

Level 1

Identifying observable behaviors/actions

Level 2

Understanding underlying thoughts & emotions

Level 3

Trigger situations & developing coping strategies

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