D&D Group Ideas & Outline

Purpose: Using techniques from narrative therapy and positive psychology to promote identity
exploration, growth, and strengths identification.
Objective: To create a character sheet similar to those used in tabletop roleplaying games or
video games to facilitate the above purpose. Journaling prompts will be provided either as
homework or during a second session to further exploration; these will be processed in-session.
Supplies: PowerPoint, character sheets, pencils or pens, colored pencils, sign in sheet
Outline:

 Session 1:
o Lay out sign in sheet
o Introduction. About ourselves, tabletop experience, etc.
o Confidentiality
 Don’t share outside of group, don’t have to talk if they don’t want to, etc.
o Overview of what we’ll be doing: creating character sheets with journaling
prompts
o Ask group about their experience or familiarity with tabletop or roleplaying
games
o Talk about the benefits of positive psychology and narrative therapy. Address
how we’ll be exploring our identity, identifying strengths and values, and
processing how we’d like to see ourselves grow through an “outside” lens
(tabletop character)
o Time for questions
o Begin working through the character sheet using PowerPoint
 Discuss the “Class”, “Stats”, and “Personality” sections after completed
o Questions

 TO FIGURE OUT: if we want to do the journaling prompts as a second session and then
process them together, or assign them as homework and do the same group next
week.
Things to include:
1. Name
2. Pronouns
3. Background (Student, actor, programmer, parent, artist, etc.)
4. Stats (Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Wisdom, Intelligence, Charisma)
a. Ranked on scale 1-6
i. Strength – Physical prowess
 ii. Dexterity – Nimbleness, speed
iii. Constitution – Hardiness, resilience
iv. Wisdom – street smarts
v. Intelligence – book smarts
vi. Charisma – Performing, charm, orator skills
5. Draw a picture of themselves
6. Class they most resonate with
a. Bard – Creative, charismatic, supportive, arts-inclined
b. Ranger – Outdoorsy, skilled, survivalist, dexterous
c. Druid – Outdoorsy, nature-loving, animal friend, harmonic
d. Fighter – Brave, resilient, disciplined, strategic
e. Wizard – Intelligent, book worm, studious, academic
f. Cleric – Kind, supportive, helper, spiritual
g. Paladin – Compassionate, brave, spiritual, honorable, driven by values and
morals
h. Rogue – Independent/self-sufficient, resourceful, dexterous, cunning
7. Inventory (What are 3-4 things you’re never seen without?)
8. Skills
a. Acrobatics
b. Animal handling
c. Athletics
d. Creativity?
e. Deception?
f. History
g. Insight
h. Medicine
i. Nature
j. Perception
k. Performance
l. Persuasion
m. Religion/Spirituality
n. Sleight of hand (Replace with science?)
o. Survival
9. Languages
10. Tool proficiencies (instruments, art supplies, computer programs, hobby tools, etc.)
11. Personality Traits or Strengths
12. Ideals (Values)
13. Bonds (Big goals in life)
14. Flaws
 15. What are the obstacles in life they’re trying to overcome? (e.g., self-doubt “dragon”,
substance use, finding a job, anxiety “goblin”, an impactful character from their past,
etc.) (Maybe put this under narrative homework)
a. Draw a picture!
Narrative exercise homework:
1. Write a few paragraphs about your hero’s backstory and their journey to get to this point
2. Write a short story about how your hero might overcome their obstacles/”villain”
3. Throughout your story, how would you like to see your hero grow?
a. What would the next three “level ups” look like for them?
b. What would it take for them to gain enough experience to level up?