At Tumbleweed Health, we use engaging platforms like Roblox and Minecraft as therapeutic tools to connect with kids and teens, to promote real-life skills. These sessions incorporate evidence-based frameworks like the Zones of Regulation, PEERS, and Sensory Theory to help children build emotional awareness, regulation skills, and communication strategies—all while having fun.
How It Works
In the above video, Heidi (OT) and her son demonstrate an example session using the Zones of Regulation. The goal is to integrate emotional awareness and self-regulation seamlessly into gameplay. As shown:
- First Half: Emotional labeling feels external to the game. This is common when a child is still warming up to a new activity or concept, and the therapeutic relationship is still forming. Your child will probably not use skills when taught in this way.
- Second Half: The play becomes immersive. Emotional language and strategies are naturally embedded into gameplay, creating a more engaging and effective learning experience. Your child will likely remember and even use strategies when they have learned them through fully immersed play.
When children enter their “play brain,” their ability to learn accelerates. This state of flow allows them to:
- Practice emotional regulation in real-time: They experience emotions during gameplay (like frustration after losing or excitement when winning) and can immediately apply tools they’ve learned.
- Explore and experiment with strategies: We model adaptive responses, such as taking body breaks or using breathing exercises, and help children recognize and label their emotions within the context of play.
- Bring their own challenges into the session: As the game unfolds, children might naturally share personal experiences or struggles, allowing us to model problem-solving and provide support in a way that feels relevant and approachable.
In the video below you can also see some terrible acting haha, and a brief example of how we would try to bring up emotions, where they show up in the body, and how we might suggest strategies to help.
Why Gaming Works in Therapy
The combination of therapeutic relationships and play creates a powerful learning environment. By blending these elements, we help children:
- Build intrinsic motivation to try new strategies.
- Generalize skills learned in therapy to their everyday lives.
- Strengthen social and communication skills in a shared activity.
Whether we’re constructing worlds in Minecraft or teaming up in Roblox, these sessions make therapy relatable and enjoyable.
If you’re curious about how this approach could work for your child, feel free to reach out—we’d love to talk!
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