Counseling students in schools can sometimes be challenging, but incorporating games into the process can make a significant difference. As a school psychologist, I have been providing counseling to students with disabilities for over 10 years. When students have IEPs, their counseling services are often weekly…for an entire school year! That is a lot of activities to come up with and younger children can easily get bored with worksheets and activities that are not novel or fun. That’s how I came to realize that sprinkling in learning through counseling games was my best bet to keep kids engaged and even excited to come to counseling week after week.
If making counseling fun for kids isn’t enough of a reason to invest in some therapeutic games, here are five more reasons why counseling games are beneficial:
1. Building Rapport
Using games in counseling helps build stronger relationships between counselors and students. Games can break down barriers and create a relaxed atmosphere, allowing for better rapport and trust. This connection is essential for effective counseling. By leveraging the power of play, counselors can enhance the effectiveness of their sessions and support students in meaningful ways.
2. Engagement Leads to Progress
Games are naturally engaging and can capture students’ interest more effectively than traditional methods. When students are interested, they’re more likely to participate actively in the counseling process. This increased engagement can lead to more productive sessions and better outcomes.
3. Skill Development
Counseling games are excellent tools for helping students develop crucial skills, particularly Social Skills. Whether it’s building social abilities, enhancing emotional intelligence, or improving cognitive functions, games provide a dynamic platform for learning and practicing social skills, even when this is not the focus of the game. For example, I have many games in my store, Counseling Fanny Pack of Fun, that target Emotional Regulation and Coping skills. When playing these games in a group setting, children are also practicing social skills such as turn taking, compromising, and engaging in conversations, just by virtue to participating in the game.
4. Safe Environment
Games create a safe and non-threatening space for students to explore their emotions and express themselves. This safe environment allows students to open up without fear of judgment, making it easier for counselors to address sensitive topics and foster genuine communication. Counseling games that target specific topics, such as self-esteem, coping skills, or anger management, encourage conversations and dialogue with peers and their counselor, which will lead students to have a better understanding of the skills that they are learning.
5. Problem-Solving
Through game-based scenarios, students can practice problem-solving and decision-making skills. These activities encourage them to think critically and explore various solutions in a controlled setting, preparing them for real-life challenges. Games with role-play also help kids to practice the skills as they learn about them. For example, in many of my games that teach Social Skills, there are prompts to have students practice giving compliments or asking questions to other group members. Practice makes perfect, right?
If you are looking for more counseling games and activities to use with your students, you can visit the page, Counseling Topics A-Z, or check out some of the printable games below from the Counseling Fanny Pack of Fun TpT shop!
