NErd Adventure Therapy
Art By Captain Nutmeg
Using nerd culture & role-playing games to reduce stigma surrounding mental health!
NAT20 Therapy Presents: Geek Therapy in Practice
In this episode, Charlene McPherson of @NAT20Therapy shares her journey of weaving tabletop RPGs into mental health work. From becoming a certified geek therapist to hosting panels at conventions, Charlene brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for creating safe, creative therapeutic spaces.
She also offers practical tips on discovering your own therapeutic style and opening a practice rooted in geek culture.
This conversation highlights what NAT20 Therapy is all about—meeting clients where they are, celebrating nerd identity, and showing that therapy can be as dynamic and imaginative as the games we love.
Refined Methods of play
New Take on an old idea
Role-play has been a part of the way people learn since childhood. The 1960's saw a strong emergence in therapeutic applications of role-play. The concept of world-building and a fantasy-themed adventure adds value to the aesthetic distance that participants experience.
Role Playing Reimagined
What does data say?
Quantifying & refining
Dysfunctional and maladaptive behaviors can be replaced with healthier alternatives as participants increase their engagement.
They have the opportunity to evolve in a safe microcosm of society, the controlled environment provided by therapeutic professionals.
The program model consists of 1 total.
which are divided into 3 levels, with 6 sessions each. The program model consists of 18 sessions in total, divided into 3 levels, each with 6 sessions.
Level 1: Building a character, reviewing goals
Level 2: Customizing story, practice-specific goals
Level 3: Work on deeper goals, story arc completion
Epilogue: Review of progress
Current Applications
SPECIAL IZAT IONS & SYSTEMS
Aesthetic distance complements participants' experiences. You can find detailed research findings on RPG systems and their evolution in therapy here.
How RPG systems provide invaluable therapeutic applications supporting mental health and social skill: current applications
"I treat both individual clients and run Therapeutically Applied, RPG Social Skills groups." Nerd Adventure Therapy 20 LLC
Clinical Specializations: Anxiety, Trauma, Depression, ADHD, PTSD, Social Anxiety
Implementation style
Through individual therapy, we can work on processing trauma, stress, and complex emotions in a one-on-one setting. We will apply any fandom and strengths you have to complete your journey.
VISIONARY LEADER
Charlene MacPherson, LCSWC
CERTIFIED THERAPUTIC GAME MASTER
Individual Therapy
Charlene offers professional consultation services to other mental health professionals who may have questions about private practice, nerd therapy, therapeutically applied role-playing games, or any other professional topics.
Consultation Services
Therapeutically Applied Role Playing Games social skills groups are a personalized experience run by a licensed therapist to practice therapeutic goals through games like Dungeons & Dragons.
Role Playing Social Skill Groups
Charlene is also a Board of Social Work Examiner, Board Certified Supervisor. She can offer individual or group supervision services to those seeing to complete their supervision requirements for their clinical social work license.