Tabletop Role-Playing Therapy Group in Towson, MD
Make choices. Navigate challenges. Build skills.
The Tabletop Role-Playing Group is a weekly therapy group where participants play a tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG), a collaborative storytelling game like Dungeons & Dragons, while practicing skills from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness. Each person plays a character, and together the group builds a story where every decision shapes what happens next.
At a glance
- When: Thursdays, 6:00 to 7:30 PM
- Who: Adults 18 and older
- Where: In person at our Towson office, with telehealth attendance available
- Payment: Private insurance, Medicaid, and private pay
- Experience needed: None. You don’t need to know any game rules.
Why a game?
Playing a character creates a useful kind of distance. Trauma therapists call it aesthetic distance: the sweet spot where someone stays emotionally engaged without being overwhelmed. Through a character, it can feel easier to speak up, set a boundary, ask for help, or take a chance that feels too big in everyday life.
Because the risks belong to the characters, the table is a low-stakes place to experiment, stumble, and try again.
Why a group?
Group therapy adds something essential: other people. Around the table, members often discover they aren’t alone in what they carry. They watch someone try a new approach and borrow it for themselves. They see others grow and begin to believe change is possible for them, too. They offer encouragement and find that helping someone else strengthens them as well.
Session by session, a shared adventure gives the group a history, running jokes, and trust. That sense of belonging is a key predictor of progress in group therapy. Within it, members can notice how they come across, take in honest feedback, and practice new ways of relating alongside people who are practicing too.
CBT and mindfulness at the table
CBT looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions shape one another, and the game shows that cycle as it happens. A plan falls apart. A thought arrives: I always mess things up. Frustration flares, and the urge to check out follows. With support from the facilitator and the group, participants practice catching that chain in the moment, questioning the thought, and trying a different move. Then they see how the story responds. Setbacks become plot twists, and plot twists become practice.
Mindfulness adds the pause. Before a big roll, in a tense scene, or right after a setback, participants practice noticing what’s happening in body and mind, letting it be there without judgment, and responding with intention. No one controls the dice. Each player chooses their next move.
Skills you’ll practice
- Executive functioning: planning, problem-solving, decision-making, and flexible thinking
- Interpersonal effectiveness: communicating clearly, collaborating, and negotiating
- Coping: catching unhelpful thoughts and staying steady through frustration, setbacks, and surprises
- Mindful awareness: noticing thoughts, feelings, and urges as they arise
Beyond the table
Guided group discussion links the adventure to life outside it. Participants reflect on what worked, what they’d try differently, and how the skills they practiced in the story can carry into relationships, responsibilities, and the days between sessions.
Is this group a good fit?
This group is open to people who are:
- 18 years old or older
- Fluent in English
- Able to participate respectfully in a group
- Willing to have fun
We ask that members attend weekly and give a heads-up if they can’t make it the following week. Regular attendance helps the group build trust and momentum.
Not sure if it’s right for you? Reach out and our team will talk it through with you.
How to get started
- Contact us. Call or send a request through our online form.
- Talk it through. Our team will answer your questions and help you decide if the group is a good fit.
- Join a Thursday session. Come in person or log in by telehealth. You decide how much to share.
Cost and insurance
We offer this group to clients with private insurance and Medicaid, as well as private pay. Coverage varies by plan, so contact us and we’ll help you understand your benefits before you begin.
Interested in joining? Fill in the form below or give us a call!
Frequently asked questions
What is tabletop role-playing therapy?
Tabletop role-playing therapy is a form of group therapy in which participants play a collaborative storytelling game, similar to Dungeons & Dragons, under the guidance of a clinician. The game becomes a way to practice CBT and mindfulness skills, such as managing frustrating thoughts, solving problems, and communicating with others.
Is this just a game night?
No. It’s a therapy group. The game is the tool, and a clinician facilitates each session, helping participants notice their thoughts, feelings, and choices as the story unfolds and connect them to life outside the group.
Do I need to know Dungeons & Dragons or have game experience?
No. No experience is needed. The facilitator will help everyone learn how the game works, and the focus is on the skills you practice, not on playing well.
Who is this group for?
Adults 18 and older who are fluent in English, can participate respectfully in a group, and are willing to have fun. If you’re unsure whether it fits, contact us and we’ll talk it through.
Can I attend by telehealth?
Yes. The group meets in person, and telehealth attendance is available, with a large screen so remote attendees can join the table.
Does insurance cover this group?
We offer this group to clients with private insurance and Medicaid, as well as private pay. Contact us to verify your benefits.
What if I miss a week?
Life happens. We ask that you attend weekly when you can and give a heads-up if you can’t make the following session.
Do I have to talk about personal things?
You choose what to share and when. The story gives you a way to take part through your character, at your own pace.
How long are sessions, and when do they meet?
Sessions run Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:30 PM.
How do I sign up?
Call us or send a request through our online form, and our team will help you take the next step.
Ready to join the table?
Reach out and we’ll answer your questions and help you get started.
Part of The Resource Group’s Group Therapy program in Towson, MD.