Working Therapeutically With Video Gamers and Their Families

Video games are a common form of entertainment, but small percentage of those who regularly play video games engage in excessive use of video games. There is a professional debate about whether excessive video game use should receive a formal diagnosis as an addiction. Video games can also be used as a tool in psychotherapy, and elements of video game activity can be valuable in assessment of personality and domains of psychological struggles. This article presents examples of questions and observations of game playing as a means to engage child and adolescent players in discussion and exploration of more psychologically relevant matter.