Dungeons & Dragons, long played for fun, is being explored for therapeutic potential

NPR | By Deena Prichep

Published February 13, 2026 at 1:39 PM PST

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Dungeons & Dragons is known as a niche role-playing game. But now game masters are exploring whether it can also be therapeutic, for conditions ranging from anxiety to PTSD.

Dungeons & Dragons, long played for fun, is being explored for therapeutic potential

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Dungeons & Dragons, long played for fun, is being explored for therapeutic potential

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