How Gamification is Used in Therapy

Video games sometimes have a bad reputation in the media for being bad for your mental health. However, research has shown there are endless possibilities to develop video games to manage mental health concerns and actually improve many mental health conditions.

The American Psychological Association (APA) has found that 97 percent of youth in the US play at least one hour of video games a day. Today’s world is so digitally connected, it’s important we make use of it in a positive way, such as improving our overall well-being. This is where gamification comes in.

What is Gamification?

Gamification is essentially adding game mechanics or game elements to real life environments. It is often used in fitness and in the workplace. For example, a Fitbit or step tracker motivates users to exercise. When used correctly, gamification can motivate, encourage, and inspire individuals to achieve goals and become better versions of themselves. Gamification can be a great tool to enhance therapy and counseling.

How is Gamification Used?

Recreational game theory has been used in counseling previously. The idea is that when individuals are immersed in a game, they are more likely to express themselves freely. This can give the therapist real insight and observation into their patient’s behaviors and interactions so they can better understand them and provide better treatment plans.

As technology advances, today’s games have become mostly digital. Research has found that mobile mental health games can be incredibly effective at treating mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Games can have a therapeutic effect, relieving stress on many individuals. However to be successful to treat other conditions, researchers have found games need levels that need to be passed as well as feedback to increase long term engagement.

Benefits to Using Gamification in Therapy

Using gamification as an extension or supplement to traditional forms of therapy can be very effective. These are some of the benefits:

• By making therapy more enjoyable and engaging through games, patients are more likely to comply with their treatment plans.

• Gamification in therapy is digitally recorded therefore there is feedback and data to track progress. Seeing progress also gives patients an incentive to continue their therapy.

• Gamification motivates patients to complete daily activities and exercises when they are not with the therapist. Most games will have a push notification to motivate you.

• Gamification can be customizable to fit the patient’s needs and easily adjusted to fit their progress.

Conclusion

Our lives are changing and growing with technology, it’s important we find positive ways to harness the benefits. Gamification may be our future in therapy treatments. If you or someone you know is experiencing any mental health concerns, it could be beneficial to speak to a professional. Click here for counseling advice or to speak with an online counselor today.

Author Bio:

Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with MyTherapist.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.