Making friends in college can be hard — especially at a commuter school, and when things like social anxiety get in the way. This fall, ACC licensed Mental Health Counselor Mary Forrest-Wright hopes to combat this by trying something different at the Round Rock C.A.R.E. Network Center: a therapy group built around Dungeons & Dragons, a popular, cooperative tabletop role-playing game.
“We often hear about the loneliness epidemic,” said Forrest-Wright, “and social isolation since the COVID-19 pandemic is very real. We have a whole generation of people who never got to practice connecting with others in a safe place.”
The format of Dungeons & Dragons allows students to do just that: connect with others, take on new personas, learn more about themselves, and — most importantly — have fun.
“Plenty of people play D&D just for fun,” Forrest-Wright says. “What makes this group different is that a trained therapist runs the table. As the ‘Dungeon Master’ or ‘Game Master,’ I help create a safe place for everyone to enjoy themselves, learn new skills, and make friends without fear of being judged. And because it’s a therapeutic group, students’ growth will be supported and guided.”
What a D&D Session Looks Like
The group opens with a “session zero,” a D&D tradition where the Game Master (counselor) and players set the ground rules and boundaries together. In this group, that also means agreeing on confidentiality — what’s shared during and after the game stays in the room. Students learn what it’s like to play a character, and you’re always in control of your own comfort level.
“You don’t have to be an actor to get into D&D. You can just describe your roleplay, and that’s still a new experience and a new skill.”
Each meeting includes about 60 to 90 minutes of gameplay, followed by a 30-minute discussion Forrest-Wright calls “player aftercare,” where the group reflects on what came up and how it connects to real life. This is where students can learn coping skills for stress, anxiety, and other things they may need to work on.
Who It’s For
You don’t need any D&D or gaming experience to join. The group is for any ACC student who wants to build confidence, make friends, and strengthen skills that carry over everywhere — collaboration, communication, decision-making –– the kind of soft skills employers look for, too.
This is a closed group, so students must commit to the full run rather than dropping in and out. It meets in person at the Round Rock C.A.R.E. Network Center from September 18 through December 4, with a possible break around midterms. Think of it as built-in stress relief for the semester and a fun way to meet other students.
Have Questions and Want to Learn More? Complete this brief survey by September 10 to attend a brief online or in-person information session.