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
16 - 19 January 2023
Game: Minecraft
Ages: 10 - 18 years old
Day: Monday - Thursday
Time: 8:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Therapy Focus Ellenbrook and Online, via Microsoft Teams
Registration deadline: 2 January 2023
Facilitators: Matthew Rowe and Sinead Doyle
17 - 19 January 2023
Game: Minecraft
Ages: 8 - 12 years old
Day: Tuesday - Thursday
Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Therapy Focus Mirrabooka
Registration deadline: 3 January 2023
Facilitators: Chloe White and Meena Gandhi
17 - 20 January 2023
Game: Minecraft
Ages: 11 - 16 years old
Day: Tuesday - Friday
Time: 9:00am - 11:00am
Location: Therapy Focus Butler
Registration deadline: 3 January 2023
Facilitators: Ashlee Czerniak, Kate Schell, Nicola Ace and Sarah Rodoreda
23 - 25 January 2023
Game: Minecraft
Ages: 12 - 18+ years old
Day: Monday - Wednesday
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Therapy Focus Walliston
Registration deadline: 9 January 2023
Facilitators: Paula Patiniotis and Carolyn Wallace
23, 24, 25 & 27 January 2023
Game: Minecraft
Ages: 6 - 10 years old
Day: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
Time: 9:00am - 11:00am
Location: Therapy Focus Butler
Registration deadline: 9 January 2023
Facilitators: Carys Donald, Imogen Menchetti and Victoria Hancock
30 January - 2 February 2023
Game: Minecraft
Ages: 18 - 25 years old
Day: Monday - Thursday
Time: 9:00am - 11:00am
Location: Therapy Focus Butler
Registration deadline: 16 January 2023
Facilitators: Ashlee Czerniak, Carys Donald, Beth Richardson and Nicola Ace
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.