I'm a forever DM, as a favor to all DMs out there, please don't use DND for therapy. We're not therapists, we're storytellers. We're just as likely to make things worse.
Ttrpg's can definitely be used by therapists (e.g.see https://gametogrow.org/ ) but people in general should not underestimate the skill and training professional therapists bring to the table. Just playing an rpg is not therapy.
I'm a forever GM too, and I made this meme referring to a player in my groups. She's an amazing player and I include her as often as possible. The point of the meme was not really to highlight that people use TTRPGs as a therapy replacement, though I definitely know that some might try that and I agree with you that it's not a good idea.
I’ve never played a TTRPG, but I noticed that the first person said DM and you said GM. Are they interchangeable? Or is DM specifically only for D&D because of dungeon? Is there bad blood between people who say GM vs DM? Is it like crips and bloods?
The phrase "Dungeon Master" is a registered trademark[1] by the rights holders of Dungeons and Dragons. DM is the abbreviation of that, and most likely safe to use. Game Master (GM) is used as a generic (and game agnostic) term.
[1] https://trademarks.justia.com/742/64/dungeon-74264094.html
Edit: I have (twice) edited this now after additional information from others (thank you Kichae for the link to the Dungeon Master trademark) was posted on this thread.
Some other games use other terms. Like wod uses "storyteller".
GM is the generic term
Generally yes. DM and GM are interchangeable, with the small caveat that the term Dungeon Master is owned by Wizards.
But if it's not for therapy why are there two ts in ttrpg :D
Trauma Trauma Role Playing Game.
Double the trauma, double the… fun?
“Mmm, just like dad used to make.”
Double the trauma, double the drama
My characters almost always gain 90% of their trauma from the adventure itself.
brennan lee mulligan making a new character
"TTRPG players" includes Brennan, yes.
Do not assume that every character Trauma is the player putting their own Trauma, while it's not uncommon to be from a bankrupt wealthy familyor gender non comforming, oreven a single parentIRL, it's a very classic Character design trope, because fighting lord evil who stole your family possession or finding back your original body/form are great Character goal feeding the plot and the story.
Sure it may be a way to tell something about you in the PC creation, but it may just be a way to offer plot hooks
It's also worth understanding that trauma is something that you work out through your daily life, not just in therapy. One of the models for trauma is that it's caused by a sense of helplessness in the face of a great stressor or existential threat, and engaging in activities that let you react to dangers can be theraputic.
Theraputic, not therapy.
No one else at the table needs to be directly involved. No one need be asked to be a shoulder to lie on. It's not any different in practice than the masturbatory power fantasies we're all engaging in at the table. It's just starting from a slightly different place.
Asking someone to write fantasy without putting their own lived experience into the writing would be counterproductive anyway. Good characters should have a little bit of yourself in them
I've only played one character with trauma. Even then, I made sure it was thematic and still allowed for him to function in a party.
It also made him a never nude.
The deepest of all traumas.
Couldnt be me, I'm the head empty goblin girl and my motivation is chaos
Listen, my 9/11 Rogue/Sorcerer just hit level 10, so he can spend sorcery points to subtract d8 damage! I promise, he's viable! 😭
Humor, jokes, memes about TTRPGs
