Psychodrama und Drachen: Die Verwendung von Pen & Paper-Rollenspielen in der Psychodrama-Psychotherapie mit Jugendlichen und jungen Erwachsenen

This article in the Zeitschrift für Psychodrama und Soziometrie (ZPS) discusses options for the use of pen-and-paper roleplaying games in psychodrama group therapy with adolescents and young adults. At the beginning the principle of such games and their rising popularity are introduced using the example of Dungeons & Dragons, to subsequently illustrate prior applications to promote mental health. This is followed by a presentation of virtual worlds and its importance for many young people, who can establish relationships with each other but also with their characters in these virtual realms. Beneficial and inhibiting factors for psychological development provided by these experiences are presented. Finally possible applications within psychodrama psychotherapy are discussed and case examples are presented.