Therapy In Games

What is therapy with GamerCounsel? We have blended video games, mobile games, online platforms and therapy all into one! This means that participants receive therapy while feeling relaxed and engaged in their favourite game, mobile-app or online platform in a supervised environment.

Are the therapists actual gamers? Yes! All our therapists are avid gamers with various skill levels that span cozy-gaming styles all the way to professional fast-paced e-sports.

What games can be used to provide therapy within? Therapy can take place in any game or platform suitable and appropriate for the participant. Most of our participants however utilise the digital space of Minecraft, Fortnite, Roblox, Mario Kart, Animal Crossing, Fall Guys, Among Us, Candy Crush, Destiny, Rocket League and more!

How is GamerCounsel affordable? At GamerCounsel, affordability is a deliberate choice, not a compromise. Our affordability comes from two structural factors. Firstly, our Australian therapists are credentialed early-mid career therapists, or simply therapists who specifically want to focus on gaming — letting therapy emerge naturally, suiting both therapist and participant. Secondly, our international therapists are paid above their local market rates while keeping the overall cost of therapy accessible and affordable. Combined with a fully online model and no clinic overheads, we’re able to offer professional, credentialed therapy at a reasonable price. Every therapist holds current credentials with a recognised professional body in their country and meets our rigorous vetting standards.

Can I request a therapist from a certain country? Yes, if we have one in your desired country available, however be aware that this may delay your onboarding process with GamerCounsel. This often works well for participants looking for therapists on a more similar time-zone to them along with cultural similarities.

Do therapists speak multiple languages? Yes, in some cases. Although English is a primary language of all our therapists, many speak an additional language. Please contact us as to whether we speak your language of preference.

Can I access services using an EHCP plan in the UK? For eligible participants only. You will need to discuss with your Local Authority to have our services attached as part of your therapeutic provision. Where the engagement is funded through your EHCP, our services are arranged through our Post-Pay Engagement framework — please contact us at register@gamercounsel.com so we can support the process.

Can I access services using NDIS funding in Australia? No. GamerCounsel operates entirely outside the NDIS framework and does not accept participants wishing to use NDIS funding. Our service is a privately-paid platform within Australia working with international therapists across multiple jurisdictions, which places it outside the scope of Australian government disability funding schemes. All sessions in Australia are paid for through our weekly subscription model, directly and privately.

What services do GamerCounsel provide? Evidence-based therapy by way of counselling and psychotherapy.

What about safeguarding? Communication for the session is accessed via a private link in Google Meet, Discord or other selected platforms. Participants are encouraged to have a private space for therapy. Where the therapist is participating in the same game, we can develop cyber safety skills and monitor the engagement in games the participant may frequently play.

Who are GamerCounsel and who provides the sessions? GamerCounsel is a mental health therapeutic support provider who provides interactive therapy services online. All sessions are provided by credentialed and qualified therapists.

What credentials do the therapists have and what platforms does GamerCounsel use? All therapists are credentialed by a governing body in their own country, for example, ACA, PACFA, BACP, UKCP, HCPC, HPCSA, PRC, HIMPSI, and ACT. We use almost any game or platform appropriate to provide therapy for the participant.

What equipment or devices do participants need? The participant will need either a PC/Laptop or a Gaming Console or a Smart Device. They may also require a headset and microphone for privacy.

What ages and capacities does GamerCounsel provide therapy for? We work with participants of all ages and capacities. Where a participant is a minor, parental or guardian consent is required as part of onboarding. For higher-risk presentations, we conduct an in-depth assessment to confirm safe engagement; in some cases we may recommend an alternative pathway better suited to the participant’s needs.

Does GamerCounsel offer group programs? Yes, we offer three types of Group Therapy which are, Duo Groups (2 participants), Trio Groups (3 participants), and Mega Groups (4+ participants).

What does GamerCounsel specialise in? We specialise in Interactive Online Therapy. Our team of therapists therapeutically specialise in ADHD, ASD, AuDHD, PDA, Neurodivergence, Autism, Depression, Anxiety, Trauma-informed, Confidence, Social Skills, Emotional Regulation, LGBTQIA+ and more.

Does GamerCounsel match therapists to participants and match participants in groups based on age and capacity? Yes absolutely! We have a large and experienced team of therapists, all with their own areas of expertise and gaming abilities. We match participants with whom we believe is the most suitable therapist.

Does GamerCounsel work with non-verbal participants or those with low engagement capacity? Yes we do! All therapies provided are catered to the individual and as such we plan sessions accordingly for all participants.

How does GamerCounsel provide therapy to start with? We start with onboarding to understand the goals and requirements of the participant. From there we match you with a credentialed therapist and your weekly subscription begins. You set the goals, the frequency, and the longevity of the therapy with no long-term commitment required — cancel any time.

When do sessions happen? Whenever you like! You determine the frequency, duration, time and day of the sessions. Our standard model is weekly, billed weekly in advance via your saved payment method. You can cancel your subscription at any time — the current week’s session, which you’ve already paid for, remains available to you, and no further charges will be taken.

Can I pay privately or via other funding? Most participants pay privately through our weekly subscription. Some eligible participants from the UK and specific European countries may be able to access GamerCounsel through third-party funding pathways such as an EHCP, school commissioning, or local authority arrangements — please check with your funding provider to assess eligibility, and contact us to discuss our Post-Pay Engagement options.

Does GamerCounsel take high-risk participants? Rarely. Where a participant presents with elevated risk factors, that level of care is generally better suited to a service with a wraparound care structure. Where we do consider an engagement, an in-depth assessment is required to confirm safe engagement in the participant’s place of residence. The assessment fee is in line with the pricing published on our website at the time.

Where do the sessions take place? All therapy sessions are provided online in the participant’s place of residence on a platform of the participant’s choosing.

Does GamerCounsel provide any restrictive practices? No. None of our services impose ANY restrictive practices and we work holistically with a participant’s support team.

Can I cancel or pause my subscription? You can cancel your subscription at any time, through the secure customer portal or by contacting us at accounts@gamercounsel.com. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current weekly billing period — the session you’ve paid for in the current week remains available to you, and no further charges will be taken. If you want to return in the future, you are welcome.

How do you measure the therapeutic process? Every participant (or their support team) completes a list of their goals and reasons for undergoing therapy. Using this information, the sessions move in this direction, making confidential case-notes as we go. At key stages we perform an assessment measuring the progress. At this stage we also review the goals of the participant to see if they have been achieved or whether they need adjustment.

Does GamerCounsel provide reports? Yes partly. We can generate an ‘Assessment’ which is a generalised summary of therapy so far, available on request and with the participant’s consent.

Can sessions change games or platforms over time? Of course! In fact this is very common, where we may use multiple games and platforms at any given time. The goal is to meet the participant where they are at and where they feel most comfortable in order to be receptive to the therapeutic process.

Does GamerCounsel work with schools? Yes, but only in some countries. We work with schools and colleges of any size through our Post-Pay Engagement framework, with custom arrangements to suit the school’s procurement process. Please contact us to find out whether we can provide services to a school in your country.

Are sessions recorded? No. We may from time to time capture screenshots of in-game activity with consent from the participant with no identifying markers. These are available at request at any time.

Do therapists stay the same each week? Yes unless requested otherwise, this is so proper progress can be made. However should you at any time wish to change therapist, that is always an option in order to find the best fit where possible.