Using Video Games To Enhance Talk Therapy — An overview of the therapeutic potential of VGT®
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) published this brilliant article featuring the unique work of Francesco Bocci, the founder of Video Game Therapy®, and key collaborators Marcello Sarini and Ambra Ferrari.
VGT proposes an integrated approach where a patient’s curates gaming experience is at the epicenter of the therapeutic delivery mechanism.
It takes into consideration illness, personality and player type to match the patient to the most effective experience for their condition and current emotional state.
At its core, Video Game Therapy aligns with DeepWell DTx‘s therapeutic gaming thesis; offering a multitude to games, properly matched to the patient’s condition, interests and personality traits, to provide the broadest therapeutic application.
VGT relies on flow state to increase engagement, easing the emotional friction that often results in patients abandoning their therapy due to fear, stress and general fatigue.
The treatment also emphasizes a unique role for the therapist, utilizing the games to instigate new areas of self-discovery and reduce resistance to care.
This article is a bit of a read, but very worth the effort.
I believe Dr. Bocci’s work represents a breakthrough in the definition and understanding of the unique interaction between therapist and game, creating a mechanism for delivering engaging, personalized, and ultimately effective mental health threatment.
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