B.C. therapist uses Dungeons & Dragons to support kids

A child therapist in Victoria, B.C., is using Dungeons & Dragons as part of a counselling approach aimed at helping children build communication skills, confidence and social connections. Cody Rueger, a therapist completing a master's degree in counselling at the University of Athabasca, is running a D&D group for young clients who have difficulty connecting with peers or are neurodivergent. He says the game gives children a fun, playbased way to engage and practice skills in a structured setting. Rueger said each session begins with an emotional checkin and ends with reflection questions, allowing participants to work toward individual goals through storytelling, character development and group problemsolving. He hopes the experience will help children carry what they learn into everyday social situations.