There is a new take on the future of therapy. And it is centred around a surprising idea: video games.
What’s happening:
- San Francisco based startup Hero Journey Club has raised $14.6M in venture capital funding
- Hero Journey Club is aiming to reinvent the way therapy is done by having individuals play video games in a group setting while having a guided conversation with a counsellor
Why it matters:
- Finding new ways to lower the friction of trying therapy could be highly impactful for individuals who otherwise wouldn’t consider seeing a therapist
How it works:
- Hero Journey Club is not focused on one on one conversations with a counsellor but rather creating a group setting in which conversations can happen amongst multiple participants
- Groups are limited to five individuals at a time who are playing video games while having a conversation facilitated by a licensed therapist
- Outside of the facilitated group sessions Hero Journey Club has a community platform that allows individuals to directly connect with each other
The intrigue:
- Hero Journey Club says they are interested in advancing new research around the positive mental health implications of gaming to foster a sense of community and connection
