By Dave Kot, MS

When people gather to share stories, something powerful happens. Psychologist Irvin Yalom, a leader in group therapy, believed that human connection grows strongest in groups that share experiences, challenges, and hope. Members learn new social skills not by lecture, but by living them in a shared space.

That same principle works beautifully around a gaming table.

At Autism at Face Value, we use Therapeutically-Applied Role-Playing (TARP) games to help people connect, grow, and practice real-world skills through imaginative adventures. Our lead Game Master, Dave Kot, is a retired therapist and an autistic adult who runs community games designed for social engagement and emotional learning. These aren’t therapy sessions disguised as games. They ARE games that naturally teach what therapy often idealizes: teamwork, communication, empathy, and confidence.

Why Tabletop Role-Playing Works

Players sit together, share a story, and make collective decisions. Every roll of the dice asks, What happens next…and how will we respond together? That question builds cooperation and resilience faster than most structured lessons ever could.

For our current TARP campaign, we use the Shadowdark RPG, a modern, inclusive system praised for its accessibility and affordability. A single book (about $60) provides everything needed, making it one-third the cost of traditional Dungeons & Dragons. It’s simple to learn and quick to start, which helps new players (especially neurodivergent ones) focus on story, not rulebooks.

A Game About Grief and Growth

This five-month Shadowdark campaign explores resilience and coping with grief, using Norse-inspired myths to teach emotional lessons. Each of the five adventures aligns with a stage of grief described by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

In one session, for instance, players might meet Loki, the trickster god of mischief, during the Bargaining stage. The group must decide whether to accept his impossible deal. While staying immersed (and safely distanced) during the fantasy, players learn how bargaining works. The guise of the game also affords opportunities to risk expressing difficult emotions and need group affirmation. Here, the GM acts like a group facilitator in traditional group therapy. 

Players avoid sitting through lectures because adventures hook their attention, creativity, and ongoing interests. They experience choices, emotions, and consequences through their characters. Then, they reflect on how those moments relate to their real lives. The distance between “me” and “my character” gives space for insight and safe exploration.

Why It Matters

Research shows that storytelling and shared problem-solving improve social skills, empathy, and emotional regulation. TARP games use this truth intentionally. Pretty math rocks make it fun, too.

Parents see their young adults smile, connect, and build friendships without electronics.

Educators and therapists recognize the structure: small-group engagement with clear goals, brief clinical information, and measurable outcomes for improved mental health resiliency.

Community partners and insurers value it as a short-term, cost-effective model mirroring group therapy’s best practices.
A single campaign runs about five to six sessions, echoing brief-treatment models used in mobile mental health settings. Instead of worksheets and roleplay scripts, players wield swords, roll dice, and live the lessons. Progress isn’t counted in XP or treasure. It’s seen in confidence, laughter, and how players handle challenges both in-game and out. When a player loses a beloved character, players practice grief responses safely. When they lead allies to victory, they experience shared triumph and belonging.
Each adventure becomes more than a fantasy: it’s a practice ground for real-life resilience.
Ready to Roll?

Therapeutically Applied Role-Playing offers something rare: an affordable, community-based path toward social and emotional health, while wrapped inside a fun, inclusive gaming experience. Drop your dice. Drop your guard. Build fellowships beyond the screen. Join Autism at Face Value for your next adventure with GM Dave, and discover how storytelling can strengthen hearts as much as heroes.