Video Games in Therapy: Stop Calling It Screentime

Video games in therapy are far more than “just screentime.” They’re an extension of the same therapeutic play we’ve always valued in our work with children, teens, and families. As our clients’ worlds evolve, so do the ways they express, process, and heal — and video games offer a rich, dynamic way to engage in that journey.

In today’s digital age, our clients’ natural language of play often includes Minecraft, Roblox, or other digital spaces. To dismiss these as merely “screentime” is to miss a powerful opportunity for connection, healing, and growth.

🌱 Why Video Games in Therapy Matter

When we think of video games in therapy, we should think of them as a medium for:

✅ Processing trauma through metaphor and world-building — Clients can create safe spaces, confront fears, or symbolically process harm in a way that feels safe and contained.

✅ Exploring attachment and protection themes — Children often show their internal worlds through how they care for characters, build communities, or defend spaces in digital play.

✅ Developing mastery and agency — Games provide opportunities for planning, problem-solving, and experiencing success — all key components in building resilience.

✅ Expressing complex emotions without words — For many clients, especially neurodivergent or highly sensitive individuals, digital play creates a bridge where language may fall short.

🌟 A Story From My Playroom

One client I worked with built a fortress in Minecraft at my invitation to create a safe place for himself and his family. It was hidden in the jungle, camouflaged by trees, surrounded by barriers and booby traps. This wasn’t random — this was therapeutic work unfolding in real time.

The game became a space where he could externalize his deep longing to protect those he loved, and his shame and guilt that he couldn’t prevent harm in real life. Video games in therapy gave him a way to express and work through feelings that words couldn’t touch.

🛡 What Holds Therapists Back

Many therapists hesitate to use video games in therapy because of:

• Concerns about ethics and clinical justification

• Uncertainty about how to document digital play

• Fear of judgment from parents, supervisors, or licensing boards

• Worries about how insurance panels or audits will view these interventions

These concerns are valid — but they’re also addressable. You can absolutely integrate video games in therapy ethically, intentionally, and in ways that meet documentation standards. And when you approach digital play with clear goals and reflection, parents and caregivers can come to see its value too.

In my work, I’ve found that preloading parents with information, discussing their preferences, and setting clear boundaries around game use builds trust and understanding.

🔑 Reframing Digital Play

When we stop calling it “screentime” and start calling it what it is — therapeutic play — we open doors for ourselves and our clients. Video games in therapy are not a departure from what we know works. They are a natural evolution of play therapy, one that meets our clients where they are today.

🚀 Ready to Integrate Digital Play With Confidence?

At Seven Stones Mental Health, I’m here to support you with resources, templates, and guides that help you:

✅ Ethically justify and document your use of video games in therapy
✅ Collaborate thoughtfully with parents and caregivers
✅ Feel confident in bringing creative tools into your work

Stay tuned for more, or join my mailing list to be the first to access practical, supportive tools.

Together, let’s reframe digital play — and recognize it for the therapeutic space it truly is.