Helping Nerdy Students Build Community 2 Hour CE

About this Event

PART 1 In this course, learners will define the role of Tabletop Role-Playing Games (TTRPGs) in fostering therapeutic outcomes, specifically group cohesiveness and a sense of universality, within peer support settings for neurodiverse and marginalized college-aged individuals attending a private four-year university. They will also explore how TTRPGs can be utilized to promote social-emotional development in both neurodiverse and neurotypical students, with a focus on community building and reducing negative social experiences. This will provide participants with tools to apply TTRPGs in enhancing peer support and social integration in diverse college environments.

Part 2 In this course, learners will identify the mental and emotional benefits of Tabletop Role-Playing Games (TTRPGs) for neurodiverse and neurotypical college-aged individuals, with a focus on how these games foster creativity and collaboration within a peer support environment. Additionally, learners will examine the development of pro-social and emotionally competent skills in TTRPG players by analyzing data collected from program assessments. This will enable participants to better understand how TTRPGs can be used to enhance emotional growth, social skills, and interpersonal connections in college-aged populations.

Disability Accommodations

It is the responsibility of the Individual to contact Geek Therapeutics to request disability accommodations at Hello@geektherapeutics.com.   

Geek Therapeutics is committed to helping each student reach his/her academic potential and to providing every student equal opportunity to participate in and engage with the course.  In keeping with this commitment, effort has been made to develop accessible learning materials that provide equal access.  Please contact Geek Therapeutics immediately if access to course materials is restricted due to a disability so the issue(s) can be resolved in a timely manner.

Learning Objectives:

• Learners will be able to define the relevance of TTRPGs in creating therapeutic outcomes of group cohesiveness and universality in a peer support setting for neurodiverse and marginalized college aged individuals at a private four year university.
• Learners will be able to understand the use of TTRPGs for social-emotional development in a peer support context for college aged neurodiverse and neurotypical students, emphasizing community building and the reduction of undesired social outcomes.
• Learners will be able to identify the mental and emotional benefits of TTRPG play for college aged neurodiverse and neurotypical individuals highlighting creativity and collaboration in a peer support environment.
• Learners will be able to identify pro-social and emotionally competent skills developed by college aged players in a TTRPG setting using provided data collected from program assessment.

Course Instructor:

Joe has a Bachelor’s degree in Moving Image Arts from the College of Santa Fe and a Master’s degree in Education in Counseling from Texas Christian University. Joe is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) and Licensed Professional Counselor Associate under the supervision of Caroline Sahba, LPC-S and Dr. Heather Shahan, LPC-S. Joe uses both motivational interviewing and solution-focused techniques to connect with students. Joe cares deeply about helping students to overcome the stresses and difficulties that come during their time in college and believes the most meaningful work occurs when he can understand the client’s point of view. During his time as a graduate student, Joe worked with adolescent clients dealing with substance use issues in a residential treatment facility in Dallas, TX. Joe is also the leader of the supportive gaming community at TCU, where he utilizes tabletop roleplaying games to help students deal with anxiety, loneliness, and a lack of connectedness. Prior to becoming a counselor, Joe worked in live events, and the film and television industry as a special effects technician. Joe has also worked with multiple theater groups, touring music productions and production companies as a musician, lighting designer, and sound technician. Joe’s wide background gives him a chance to connect with a diverse client population.

Continuing Education Credits:

Psychologists: Geek Therapeutics is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Geek Therapeutics maintains responsibility for this program and its content

Counselors: Geek Therapeutics has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7042. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Geek Therapeutics is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Social Workers: Geek Therapeutics, #1769, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Geek Therapeutics maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 05/19/2022 – 05/19/2025. Social workers completing this course receive 1 continuing education credits.

Play Therapists:  Geek Therapeutics has been approved by APT as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, No. 21-649. Programs that do not qualify for APT credit are clearly identified. Geek Therapeutics is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Other Professions: This activity qualifies for the specified number of hours of instructional content as required by many licensing boards and professional organizations. Save your course outline and certificate of completion, and contact your board or organization for specific requirements. Completion of the course(s) with a post-test score of 80% or better is required to receive continuing education credit; there is no partial credit.