18/05/2026
It is rarely just a game!
It might be a puzzle, a game of chess, Bananagrams, Monopoly, or cards spread across the table.
People sometimes ask, āDo you just play games every session?ā
Itās a fair question. From the outside, it can look that way. But what exists alongside the game, hidden between the moves, the problem solving, the laughing, the silences, the strategy, the frustration, the teamwork, there is real work happening.
For some children, young people, (and even adults) talking directly can feel overwhelming, too vulnerable, or simply unnatural. Sitting face-to-face with the full focus on conversation can create pressure. But when there is a shared activity in the room, something shifts. The game becomes a bridge.
In youth work and counselling spaces, this is well understood. Sometimes the most meaningful conversations happen while going for a walk, kicking a ball, sharing a meal, drawing, or playing a game. The activity appears to hold the focus, which can create a greater sense of safety and ease.
It is not about distraction or avoiding the work. It is the work.
Games can help build connection, trust, emotional regulation, communication, problem solving, frustration tolerance, confidence, and reflection. They can create moments where young people show us parts of themselves, they may never express through direct questios or conversation alone.
And like all therapeutic tools, it is never one size fits all.
For some, a puzzle is too absorbing for conversation. For others, Monopoly may create stress rather than connection. The activity must always fit the individual, person-centred, responsive, and intentional.
Not every young person needs this approach. But for some, having something to do while talking creates enough safety for the talking to happen.
