09/11/2025
Video Game–Assisted Therapy
From an affective neuroscience perspective, play isn’t just “fun.” It’s one of the core emotional systems in mammals and essential for healthy social development.
Play therapy has a sound research foundation. Through play, we can try on roles, explore edges safely, experience frustration and work through it, widen our window of tolerance, and build resilience.
Playing with others also activates our social engagement system, which is key for connection and emotional regulation.
Yes, video games get a bad rap sometimes—but they offer real-life skill practice: cooperation, focus, attunement, and noticing how our body responds to different scenarios.
Some people feel uneasy about therapy or struggle to connect at first. Play—or even just talking about a shared interest, like in Geek Therapy—makes it easier to settle in and build trust at a comfortable pace.
For others, sitting still and talking isn’t appealing. Jumping on a call while gaming feels natural, and the game becomes a kind of fidget toy while we explore life.
Play isn’t just for kids. It’s one of the most underrated ways we grow.
—Thaina Cordero, PhD
