We give you opportunity
About Our Network
The Game Therapy Network is a platform that’s connects individuals with practitioners, organisations, and businesses who provide therapeutic support in the form of positive, inclusive and therapeutic gaming.
Game Therapists join recreational therapy and art therapy to benefit people in all stages of life with community integration and social support as the goal.
For a list of our services (and legal requirements) and how best to contact a Game Therapist who suits you, follow this link: Game Therapy Services.
Click the Games On Offer tab for a complete listing of games from Game Therapists in this network, or click on a Game Therapists Name to see the games they have access to.
The Game Therapy directory lists the board games, table top games, card games, role-playing games and games in general that the Game Therapists involved in this network have access to: and on short notice can play with you (no matter your circumstance.)
Each page in The Game Therapy Directory lists the game and the rules in both written and video form. To come will be tutorials on how to play and what to watch out for when learning the games when you are both player and instructor.
We can even organise group-play to build your network of game playing friends.
To further this end The Game Spaces Directory uses a geo-location function to find inclusive game stores, hobby stores, public places and therapeutic gaming practitioners near you.
Please note : We are not an organisation, association, or company in our own right.
Working with :
Mable (formerly Better Caring)
Aspergers Victoria
Banyule Council
Austin Health
Department of Health and Human Services
Carinya Society
The Victorian State Education Department
And more!
Game Spaces
Games on Offer
Numbers League
A Superhero themed math based standalone card game for ages 8 and up. Villains lurk in the streets of Infinity City and the only hope is the Numbers League. Assemble…
Portobello Market
London, 1901. At the world famous Portobello Market, the goal in the morning is to secure the best places to build stalls. Try to place your stalls in the most lucrative…
Pirates of the 7 Seas
Pirates of the 7 Seas is an innovative, fast and competitive board game full of events from everyday pirate life: plundering, old maps, and horrible gigantic krakens. Adventures, new ports…
Otys
Mid-22nd century, after 300 years of unconsciousness, the water rising engulfs the last emerged lands. Fighting for their lives, the survivor’s settlements must remain above the sea level. You live…
Odin’s Ravens
Every morning Odin sends his ravens, Huginn and Muninn, across the entire world to bring back news of what life is like on Earth. Naturally, after thousands of years, they’ve…
Relevant Posts
Circle of Twilight is an online Dungeons and Dragons game via Discord. Fridays 2pm to 4pm. Ages 18-20.
I have an amazing client. She loves Fantasy. Makes some amazing cosplay creations and also absolutely loves role playing games. I’ve had the immense honour to build a world with…
I’m running a Starfinder game this friday night at Lalor Neighbourhood House.
I’m running a Starfinder (scifi pathfinder/dungeons and dragons 3.5) this friday night at Lalor Neighbourhood House. $5 entry fee for hall hire comes with snacks and drinks.
These holidays, we’re heading to Middle-earth!
I’ll be running Lord of the Rings 5e Dungeons & Dragons games with Affirming Care Services Pty Ltd as part of their Socio-Emotional Language groups. Players will get to step…
The NDIS isn’t the only game in town.
Always Invited, an autistic advocacy organisation, received a community grant from the Victorian Government’s Disability Self Help grants program to run a Dungeons & Dragons beginners game aimed at young…
Circle of Twilight is a free online Dungeons & Dragons campaign co‑created by Affirming Care Services Pty Ltd therapists and clientelle for the 16-19 age group.
Circle of Twilight is a free online Dungeons & Dragons campaign co‑created by Affirming Care Services Pty Ltd therapists and clientelle for the 16-19 age group. It is a safe,…
I have been thinking about the words we use when we talk about teaching and learning, particularly when supporting young people with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA).
I have been thinking about the words we use when we talk about teaching and learning, particularly when supporting young people with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). A simple question I…
Upcoming Term 3 Groups at Yarraville HQ. Contact admin@affirmingcare.com.au to book!
At Affirming Care Services, our group programs are built around connection, shared interests and meaningful participation. Rather than expecting children and young people to fit into rigid social skills programs,…
Do autistic kids actually like these sessions? This past Saturday the kids set up a chant on the street, “Where’s. Mister. Thorburn.”
Each image showcases some of the tools of my trade as a therapist running Dungeons and Dragons sessions. We have places for each of these social emotional language (SEL) groups…
Tabletop roleplaying games can be used in 1:1 sessions.
The following is a recap of a session I ran today. Player names have been changed to protect the innocent. This session was part of my therapist duties with Affirming…
I’m running an Eberron (steampunk) game of DND at Craigieburn Library, Monday late afternoon/early evening.
Looking for players in outer north of Melbourne. I’m running an Eberron (steampunk) game of DND at Craigieburn Library, Monday late afternoon/early evening. Beginning with a prequel until we get…
My first time being officially involved in lego therapy sessions – and I am also running the DND sessions in this school holiday program.
My first time being officially involved in lego therapy sessions – and I am also running the DND sessions in this school holiday program. A mix of DND board games,…
Thrive Disability Activity Support recruits another gaming focused support worker who is incredibly passionate about mental health awareness and lgbtqia+ acceptance.
Ashley Thorburn has recruited another awesome gaming focused support worker for her business, Thrive Disability Activity Support. “Kohl is based in Footscray and is a safe, queer friendly and trauma-informed…
One of the DMs I mentor asked me recently about handling a younger player, in online sessions , who struggled a bit with talking over others and social timing during sessions.
One of the DMs I mentor asked me recently about handling a younger player, in online sessions , who struggled a bit with talking over others and social timing during…
Active groups we are trying to fill as of May 2026:
Sundays Fortnightly at Reservoir Library. Suits 14.5 to 16. Dungeons and Dragons. Free game. Private client. Fridays weekly online via discord. 3pm to 5pm. Age 16-17. 18-19 possible if a…
I was asked today by a young neurodiverse client – how did I predict the players actions and their consequences then weave them into the larger story so quickly (there were some big, cinematic moments).
I was asked today by a young neurodiverse client – how did I predict the players actions and their consequences then weave them into the larger story so quickly (there…
We’re looking for (at least) one more adult participant to join our tabletop roleplaying group at Collective Adventures Guild in Lalor (northern suburbs of Melbourne).
We meet every second Friday in a relaxed, supportive environment focused on storytelling, creativity, and social connection The game we’re playing is Scion — a modern mythological roleplaying game where…
In a board game, we decided that a Halfling pirate could be an Awakened plank of wood – half plank and half pirate.
Just because it’s a board game (Adventure Begins), doesn’t mean you can’t put your own spin on the events. This is a very effective method for working with kids with…
I’ve worked in this space for a long time, so I’ve seen what really works… and what doesn’t. That’s why what my daughter is building with Thrive Disability Activity Support genuinely stands out.
It’s not just “support” in the traditional sense — it’s creative, engaging, and actually built around what young people enjoy. Physical activity — even just getting moving — is so…
GM Meetups: Stevie Schafer will be in the hot seat for a Game Master Q&A
Discord link for in person and online Game Master meetups in Melbourne, Victoria. Sometimes we meet up in a whiskey bar in the CBD. https://discord.gg/GRwNvBDBzX Our next meeting is online,…
We’re currently looking for an extra female player to join one of our Saturday Sensory & Emotional Capacity Groups at Affirming Care Services in Yarraville.
It’s incredibly rewarding to see participants grow and connect through storytelling and shared adventure. If you know a young neurodivergent female who loves imagination, storytelling and connecting with like-minded peers,…
Light-hearted humour can be very helpful when working with autistic children who experience Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria.
These children may react strongly to perceived criticism or mistakes, so gentle humour can reduce tension and make difficult moments feel safer. When used kindly, humour shows that errors are…
Dungeons and Dragons and other roleplaying games can be a lifelong hobby for kids and a lifeline to parents.
The rescue of the party’s leige lord, David Freedom, from the arms of Umberley herself, vindictive goddess of the ocean. They’ve found: This is the Devils Maw, the entrance to…
I tell the clients what the scene is, and they set it up. Then we continue to tell the story together of our adventurers using the Dungeons and Dragons game system.
Captives of the Catfolk – the Mess Hall. I tell the clients what the scene is, and they set it up using an assortment of paper minis, old toys, new…
Thrive Disability Support has a new worker with gaming experience
Michael Thorburn is the founder of the Game Therapy Network. His daughter, Ashley Thorburn, runs an activity based disability agency Thrive Disability Activity Support and they have a new worker…
Anyone who knows me knows how passionate I am about getting gamers work in the health and education space.
I’m also passionate about the difference that Autism Valued can make in the lives of its autistic membership. Job coaching is just one aspect of what they do, but it’s…
Not only does Noah roller skate and play games like Dungeons and Dragons and Magic The Gathering, but he also drives!
Michael Thorburn, founder of the Game Therapy Network, had the great pleasure today to mentor Noah from Thrive Disability Activity Support in the difference between running social games and running…
Long hours reading, coding, gaming, or world-building can level up your mind — but your body needs XP too.
Exercise boosts focus, memory, and mood, reduces stress, and fights the stiff neck + low energy combo from sitting all day. You don’t need to multiclass into “gym bro.” Start…
Emilee Donnelly is currently taking on new NDIS participants!
I have known Emilee since she was a baby (she is my daughter’s best friend and their mothers met in mothers group and became best friends) and I can say…
Activity based support agency: Thrive Disability Activity Support.
Game Therapist Michael Thorburn’s daughter Ashley is looking for some new clients for her activity based support agency. Ashley studies game design at University, but is also an international level…
No screens to seperate us – no dungeon master screens and no devices. Connecting with shared, interactive storytelling.
“Introducing the newest member of the Affirming Care Services team: Michael Thorburn – Game therapist and dungeon master extraordinaire! We’re thrilled to have another passionate D&D enthusiast to facilitate our…