Providing counselling support in Bathurst and throughout the Central West of NSW
Gaming Therapy
Game-Based Therapy. Where Play Meets Meaningful Change
Not everyone finds it easy to sit across from a therapist and talk. For many children, teenagers and adults, particularly those with ASD, ADHD or anxiety — traditional talk therapy can feel uncomfortable, forced or just plain hard.
That's where game-based therapy comes in.
At Tranquil Minds Counselling I use video games such as Minecraft and Stardew Valley, and card and board games such as Uno or Chess, as a genuine therapeutic tool — not just as an icebreaker, but as the foundation of meaningful, effective counselling work.
Why Games Work in Therapy
There's a reason this approach is so effective — especially for children and neurodivergent clients. When someone is immersed in a game they love, something shifts. The pressure of direct eye contact disappears. The need to perform or
"be in therapy" fades away. Conversation flows naturally because the focus is on something enjoyable and engaging.
Sitting side by side, playing together, creates a sense of safety and connection that can be genuinely difficult to achieve in traditional face-to-face counselling. And within that safe space, real therapeutic work happens — emotions surface,
challenges emerge, and growth occurs — all within the context of something the client actually enjoys.
As someone who genuinely loves video games, I bring authentic enthusiasm to these sessions. Kids know immediately when an adult is faking interest — and they know when they're not. That real connection makes all the difference.
What We Use in Sessions
Game-based therapy at Tranquil Minds may include:
Minecraft — building, exploring and creating together as a therapeutic tool for expression, problem-solving and emotional regulation
Console video games — chosen collaboratively based on the client's interests and therapeutic goals
Card and board games — building turn-taking, emotional regulation, frustration tolerance and social skills in a fun, low-pressure environment
Sessions are tailored entirely to the individual — what works for one person may not work for another, and I'll always work with you or your child to find the right approach.
Who Can Benefit?
Game-based therapy can be particularly helpful for:
Children and teenagers with ASD or neurodivergent profiles who find traditional talk therapy difficult
Young people with anxiety, especially those who struggle with direct eye contact or face-to-face conversation
Children who have disengaged from or refused other forms of therapy
Teenagers who feel therapy "isn't for them"
Adults who connect more naturally through shared activity
Anyone who just finds it easier to talk when they're doing something they enjoy
If you've ever been told your child is "too hard to engage" in therapy then this approach might be exactly what they need.
In-Person and Telehealth Options
Game-based therapy is available both in-person at my Bathurst practice and via telehealth for clients across the Central West and regional NSW — including Orange, Lithgow, Oberon, Blayney and surrounding areas. Telehealth is available Australia wide.
Telehealth game-based sessions work surprisingly well — playing together online or via shared screens means the side-by-side experience translates beautifully to a digital format.
NDIS participants are welcome — game-based therapy can be funded under the
Improved Daily Living support category.
Curious whether game-based therapy might be right for you or your child?
Get in touch — I'd love to have a chat about how this approach could help.
