Gaming Therapy
Helping people with disability learn and connect through a shared love of gaming.
The Benefits of Gaming Therapy
Our Gaming Therapy program utilises social simulation games to offer people with disability the opportunity to connect with others while working together to achieve their therapy goals.
Group sessions are held on Therapy Focus’ Gaming Therapy server and see participants assigned specific roles in working to achieve a shared goal. This process encourages social connection in a fun and safe environment and has been proven to be particularly beneficial in achieving social therapy goals.
What is Minecraft?
Minecraft is a video game that allows players to build and create with various kinds of blocks in a 3-dimensional world. It is often described as a ‘sandbox’ video game, which means it allows players to freely make decisions, explore, interact with and modify the gaming environment. Players can choose to play on their own or join servers (multiplayer platforms) to play with others. Playing with others creates a sense of camaraderie between players as they build shared communities and protect each other from the game’s “mobs” and moving creatures.
What is Animal Crossing?
Animal Crossing New Horizons is a social simulation game in which the playable character is a human who lives on an island with animal villagers and can contribute to the development of the island by fishing, catching bugs, fossil hunting, and town planning, decorating and so much more. There is so much to discover and explore, the possibilities are endless!
Players can connect with each other as they plan and build their islands.
What’s involved?
Our Gaming Therapy program is delivered by our experienced therapists in weekly sessions and can be accessed using NDIS funding or purchased privately.
- Choose to play from our office locations or from the comfort of your own home
- Participant numbers are limited to allow for adequate therapist support to achieve therapy goals
- Sessions run for 1.5 hours to a maximum of 3 hours each
- For face-to-face sessions, participants must bring their own device
- Participants must have an up-to-date, active Minecraft account (Java or Bedrock) to take part in these sessions
What will I learn?
Gaming Therapy offers many benefits to participants, including promotion of:
- Creativity
- Planning
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Resource management
- Patience
- Flexible thinking
- Social skills
- Healthy gaming habits
Program dates and times
27 - 29 September 2022
Game: Animal Crossing
Ages: 8 - 12 years old
Day: Tuesday - Thursday
Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Therapy Focus Walliston
Registration deadline: 13 September 2022
Facilitators: Kelly Scott and Maisie Jones
27 - 30 September 2022
Game: Minecraft
Ages: 6 - 10 years old
Day: Tuesday - Friday
Time: 9:00am - 11:00am
Location: Therapy Focus Butler
Registration deadline: 13 September 2022
Facilitators: Carys Donald, Ashlee Czerniak, Kate Schell, Nicola Ace and Briony Corrins
27 - 30 September 2022
Game: Minecraft
Ages: 12 - 18 years old
Day: Tuesday - Friday
Time: 1pm - 4pm
Location: Therapy Focus Walliston
Registration deadline: 13 September 2022
Facilitators: Carolyn Wallace and Maisie Jones
3, 5, 6 and 7 October 2022
Game: Minecraft
Ages: 11 - 16 years old
Day: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
Time: 9:00am - 11:00am
Location: Therapy Focus Butler
Registration deadline: 19 September 2022
Facilitators: Carys Donald, Ashlee Czerniak, Kate Schell, Nicola Ace and Briony Corrins
3 - 7 October 2022
Game: Minecraft
Ages: 7 - 12 years old
Day: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Location: Therapy Focus Joondalup
Registration deadline: 19 September 2022
Facilitators: Kahlia Wiese and Dimity Taylor
4 and 6 October 2022
Game: Minecraft
Ages: 9 - 13 years old
Day: Tuesday and Thursday
Time: 11:30am - 1:00pm
Location: Therapy Focus Mandurah
Registration deadline: 20 September 2022
Facilitators: Stephanie Mather and Dayna Smith
12 October - 30 November 2022
Game: Minecraft
Ages: 18+ years old
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Location: Online, via Microsoft Teams
Registration deadline: 28 September 2022
Facilitators: Isabella Cammarano and Laura Gatenby-Macleod
12 October - 30 November 2022
Game: Minecraft
Ages: 15 - 18 years old
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: Online, via Microsoft Teams
Registration deadline: 28 September 2022
Facilitators: Isabella Cammarano and Holly Pearse
Application form
For more information about our Gaming Therapy Group, including a detailed pricing schedule, contact us on 1300 135 373.
To apply for one of our upcoming groups, simply click the button below to complete the application form and a member of our team will be in touch.