Embarking on a Quest Toward Connection: Exploring the Experiences of LGBTQIA+ Adolescents in a Dungeons & Dragons Therapy Group

LGBTQIA+ youth experience challenges beyond those typically associated with adolescence, including discrimination and stigma, which are associated with negative mental health outcomes. This qualitative study utilized conventional content analysis to examine the experiences of LGBTQIA+ youth (n = 8) in a Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) therapy group. Analyses of participant interviews generated 571 codes that were clustered into four key themes related to Relationships, Identity Exploration, Social Skills, and Context of Discrimination. The findings provide guidance for mental health professionals seeking to support LGBTQIA+ adolescents using role-playing games (RPGs) as therapeutic interventions.