A painting of a medieval castle on a hill surrounded by trees and rocky terrain, with a cloudy sky and birds flying in the distance.

Self-discovery through roleplaying games.

Realms Within offers a supportive and creative space where storytelling, connection, and personal growth come together. Using collaborative roleplaying games, participants explore emotions, relationships, communication, confidence, and problem-solving through shared stories and imaginative play.

Why Roleplaying Game Therapy?

  • Creates a Safe Space to Take Emotional Risks
    Roleplaying games allow participants to explore emotions, relationships, and challenges through fictional characters and stories. Research highlighted by the American Psychological Association notes that this imaginative distance can help people feel safer trying new behaviours, expressing vulnerability, and working through difficult experiences because the “character” carries some of the emotional weight.

  • Builds Social Connection and Reduces Isolation
    Therapeutic RPG groups encourage teamwork, communication, and collaboration. Studies with therapeutic tabletop RPG groups have shown strong participant engagement and increased feelings of social connectedness through shared storytelling and cooperative problem-solving.

  • Supports Emotional Growth and Self-Understanding
    Roleplaying allows participants to explore identity, values, confidence, and emotional expression in creative ways. Emerging research suggests RPGs can support growth related to anxiety, depression, trauma recovery, self-esteem, and identity exploration through storytelling and reflective play.

  • Improves Communication and Interpersonal Skills
    Tabletop roleplaying games naturally involve listening, cooperation, problem-solving, and perspective-taking. In structured therapeutic environments, facilitators can help participants practice boundaries, conflict resolution, teamwork, and emotional communication in real time.

  • Increases Engagement in Therapy Through Creativity and Play
    For many individuals, traditional talk therapy can feel intimidating or emotionally overwhelming. RPG-based therapy offers a more interactive and engaging approach that combines creativity, storytelling, and play with evidence-based therapeutic practices. This can increase motivation, comfort, and participation, especially for neurodivergent individuals or those who struggle with conventional therapeutic formats.

Our Groups

If you don’t see a group that fits you, please still reach out! We plan to run more groups based on interest in the future.

Likely future groups :

  • All genders adult group

  • LGBTQ+ group

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Men’s Group

Many men are taught to suppress emotions, avoid vulnerability, or handle struggles alone. This group focused on creating opportunities to build trust, practice communication, and develop emotional awareness within a structured and supportive environment.

Along the way, they will explore themes of courage, friendship, perseverance, teamwork, and overcoming adversity. Through shared storytelling and collaborative problem-solving, group members can practice communication, build healthy relationships, learn from setbacks, and develop skills that support success both at the gaming table and in everyday life.

Ages 20-30. This group is facilitated by Luke Galbraith. Groups are run in Victoria, BC near Uptown Mall.

Luke Galbraith
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Youth Group

Adolescence can be a time of significant growth, change, and challenge. This therapeutic roleplaying group uses fantasy roleplaying with youth to build confidence, social skills, emotional awareness, and resilience within a structured, supportive, and engaging environment.

Explore what it means to be worthy, how to deal with the sting of defeat, how to work with others to overcome seemingly impossible obstacles and have a blast in a bizarre fantasy realm

Ages 12–16. This group is facilitated by Rose Cotton. Groups are run in Victoria, BC near Uptown Mall.

Rose Cotton

Frequently Asked Questions

  • No previous experience with role-playing games is needed. The system we use if beginner friendly and easy to learn. We welcome brand new players and veterans alike.

  • Sessions will have a short check-in to start. We’ll then jump into the adventure for the main part of the session. At the end we will pause for some reflection and time to chat about what happened in session together. Sessions are 2 hours in length.

  • Groups run for 6 sessions once a week. This keeps connection and group cohesion flowing as we move through the adventure together.

  • Groups cost $80/session which are each 2 hours. Please reach out for more info or if you have any questions. Please note that some insurance companies may cover this under group therapy.

Take the First Step!

Reach out for group details, availability, and next steps.