Ep. 65 - Using Gaming to Meet Children’s Social Needs

Today we are thrilled to be joined by Katie Lear who is a counselor, play therapist, and drama therapist who combines research-based coping skills with creative play to help tween girls live better lives with anxiety and OCD. Katie will speak with us how her practice during COVID and observing levels of depression due to children’s lack of schooling, social life, and extra curriculars led her to form a Dungeons and Dragons group with the intent of creating relationships. We will discuss how overall gaming can be used to create socialization fulfillment for children and how screen time can be used positively. Finally, we will discuss Katie’s new book A Parent's Guide to Managing Childhood which was published in July by Adams Media and Simon & Schuster, and was recently featured in the New York Times.  Her writing and commentary on children's mental health has appeared in Parents Magazine, Business Insider, New York Times Kids, and National Geographic, as well as on websites like WebMD and Healthline. When she's not counseling, you can find her playing Dungeons & Dragons with middle schoolers through her sister business, Young Dragonslayers. You can find more about Katie at katielear.com and about her Dungeons & Dragons projects at youndgragonslayers.com