Intentional Gaming

Bringing Stories to Life. Building Skills That Last.

Our intentional gaming sessions use tabletop roleplaying games — such as Dungeons & Dragons — to support social-emotional development, confidence-building, and connection in young people.
These aren’t just games. They’re guided experiences, built with purpose, and tailored to the needs of each group.

Whether you’re a school seeking engaging SEMH provision, a youth charity offering creative enrichment, or a parent looking for community and connection, intentional gaming offers a space to grow, explore, and thrive.

What is intentional gaming?

Intentional gaming uses collaborative storytelling and roleplay to help young people learn, reflect, and connect — all while having fun.

Players take on characters in imaginative worlds, solve problems together, and face challenges in safe, fictional settings. Through play, they practise real-life skills:

  • Emotional regulation and resilience

  • Teamwork and communication

  • Perspective-taking and empathy

  • Creative thinking and decision-making

Each session is carefully facilitated by an experienced guide who understands how to use narrative, choice, and consequence to meet the developmental and emotional needs of the group.

We bring therapeutic insight to every game, but we’re not offering therapy. Instead, we create structured opportunities for growth, reflection, and meaningful play.

Who is it for?

We support a wide range of young people, including those who:

  • Struggle with anxiety, self-esteem, or emotional regulation

  • Find mainstream education environments overwhelming

  • Are looking for social opportunities that feel safe and structured

  • Thrive in creative or imaginative activities

  • Are neurodivergent, including autistic and ADHD participants

We work with:

  • Schools and SEN departments

  • Alternative provision settings

  • Home-educating families

  • Youth organisations and charities

Why it works

For Young People:

  • Gain confidence in social situations

  • Build friendships through shared stories

  • Strengthen self-esteem and self-awareness

  • Explore identity, boundaries, and decision-making in a safe context

For Schools and Providers:

  • A trauma-aware, non-clinical intervention

  • Supports SEMH, SEND, and NEET learners

  • Encourages attendance and re-engagement

  • Aligns with PSHE, literacy, and pastoral support goals

What a Tabletop Therapies session looks like:

We offer flexible delivery options, suitable for schools, libraries, community settings, and home-educated groups.

  • Group size: 3–6 participants

  • Session length: 60 to 120 minutes

  • Frequency: Weekly, block-booked, or one-off workshops

  • Ages: Typically 10–18

  • Experience required: None! We provide all materials and guidance

  • Accessibility: Sessions are inclusive and adaptable for neurodiverse young people

Each session includes:

  • A friendly check-in or mood tracker

  • Collaborative roleplay in a fictional story world

  • Facilitated reflection and debriefing to link gameplay to real-world learning

Contact us to book a session or find out more about our services

Interested in bringing intentional gaming to your school, group, or setting?

We offer:

  • Regular sessions (e.g. termly blocks)

  • Short-term interventions

  • One-off workshop days

  • Taster events or demos for staff and parents

📧 Email: scott@tabletoptherapies.co.uk


📍 Location: Based in Yorkshire, UK | In-person and online delivery options