SOCIAL SKILLS ARE HARD TO PRACTISE WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE A LESSON.
Some kids want to connect with other people, but the moment can get complicated.
They may struggle to join a group, wait their turn, manage frustration, understand someone else’s perspective or adapt when things don’t go the way they expected.
And knowing what they’re supposed to do socially doesn’t always make it easier to do in real time.
That’s where tabletop role-playing can help.
Dungeons & Dragons gives kids a shared world, a common goal and a reason to communicate. Instead of sitting down to talk about social skills in the abstract, they practise them naturally as they make decisions, solve problems, navigate disagreements and build a story together.
Through the game, children practise:
Social communication
Expressing ideas, listening, joining conversations and taking turns.
Emotional regulation
Managing disappointment, excitement and frustration when the game takes an unexpected turn.
Collaboration + teamwork
Working with other players toward a shared goal.
Perspective-taking + empathy
Considering what another player or character may be thinking, feeling or trying to communicate.
Problem-solving + flexible thinking
Adapting plans, considering alternatives and responding when the original strategy doesn’t work.
WHO CAN BENEFIT?
This group may be especially helpful for children experiencing:
- Social anxiety
- Peer relationship challenges
- ADHD-related impulsivity or difficulty with turn-taking
- Mild to moderate emotional regulation challenges
- Difficulty adapting when plans change
- Challenges navigating group dynamics
A formal diagnosis is not the focus of the program.
What matters most is whether the group environment and therapeutic goals are a good fit for your child.
A SMALL PARTY. A LOT OF REAL-WORLD PRACTISE.
This 8-week therapeutic group uses tabletop role-playing games, specifically Dungeons & Dragons, as a structured way for children to build social and emotional skills in a supportive small-group setting. The program is facilitated in person by Registered Psychotherapist Jalini and a co-facilitator at Beaches Therapy Group’s Gerrard location.
Program Details
Ages: 9–12
Group size: 5–6 participants
Format: In person
Location: Gerrard
Day: Thursdays
Dates: September 24 – November 12, 2026
Time: 4:30–6:00 PM
Session length: 90 minutes
Program length: 8 weeks
Cost: $150 Per Session, $1,200 total for the 8-week program
**Sessions may be eligible for reimbursement through extended health benefits under Registered Psychotherapy services. Coverage varies by plan.
HOW IT WORKS
This program is:
Therapist-led
IN-PERSON GROUP EXPERIENCE
Group format
Engaging, practical, and skills-based (not lecture-based)
Designed specifically for 9-12 year old children.
Children learn and practice real tools they can use immediately in school, relationships and daily life.
CONNECT WITH US
Speak directly with our Intake Team (a real human, can you believe?) who will book you a “Meet and Greet” with one of the facilitators to see if this program is a good fit for your child. Together, you will determine if the group is a good fit for your child.
REGISTER YOUR TEEN
Register your child and fill out intake and consent form. Once completed, you’ll receive a short and sweet welcome page with further information about the group to help them prepare.
the quest begins!!
The group meets each Thursday for eight weeks, using Dungeons & Dragons to practise communication, teamwork, emotional regulation and flexible thinking through shared play.
help your child FIND their PLACE AT THE TABLE.
The goal isn’t to make your child more outgoing. It’s to give them a place to practise communicating, collaborating, recovering from frustration and being part of a group, while doing something genuinely engaging.