Through video games like Overwatch or Fortnite psychotherapy can be initiated more easily. At least that’s what a therapist says, who has already had success with it.
Video games are still often viewed negatively in public. But some people have had positive experiences with it, such as in the case of Overwatch. It can help therapists build a better connection with children and adolescents.
Who is speaking? A therapist named Grant, who is known as “Calix19” on Reddit. He works in a clinic for children and adolescents. First, he shared on Reddit and then more specifically in an interview with PCGamesN how video games have helped him establish a connection with the children he was supposed to treat. Especially Overwatch, Minecraft, and Fortnite seem to play a significant role.
How does Overwatch help with therapy? According to Grant, it is often particularly difficult to build a trusting relationship with children and adolescents and to get the therapy underway.
[The adolescents] do not always want to be in my office. Therapy is just another stupid thing their parents make them do, and to them, I am just the next person who doesn’t really listen to them.
It is then important to be someone “who understands” and with whom one can talk. When the children and adolescents see the signed picture of Soldier: 76 on the wall, they might ask “Do you play Overwatch?” and just like that, a conversation topic is found that makes it easier to start.
Grant also mentions some examples of how he was able to break the ice with Overwatch. For instance, he had a young girl with him who suffered from a sexual trauma. He describes the situation as follows:
The client came into my office and sat down, pulling up the collar of her sweater to hide her face. After some initial greetings and handling the paperwork, she noticed my Overwatch poster. She pulled down her collar, revealed her face, and we looked into each other’s eyes for the first time since she entered the room. Then she started telling me how she was a “Soldier: 76” main. We talked a bit about how cool that was because it was one of the rare mains.
Thus, the two got into conversation and it seemed to help.
According to Grant, Overwatch is quite popular among teenagers, but “almost every younger child talks about Fortnite or Minecraft.” But that can also drift in the other direction, as this case of a 9-year-old Fortnite player with an addiction shows.
What do you think about it? Is it good for therapists to be so familiar with the youth’s world and be able to chat about games?
Mehr zu Overwatch: Auf unserer Overwatch-Seite auf Facebook findet Ihr auch weitere News und Specials zum Spiel. Auf der Suche nach Mitspielern? Besucht unsere Overwatch-Gruppe auf Facebook und sucht dort nach Mitspielern.
