Transformational-Psychological Games
Undoubtedly, as time passes, the arsenal of the professional tool kit of consulting psychologists expands. Transformational Psychological Games are such an innovation as well. A person starts to play in childhood and continues in adulthood. In the process of playing a child develops skills that will be useful to him in the future, formed the personality and instilled social norms. Adults, however, carry out playful activities every day, but they do not pay attention. But what is the role of this activity for psychology? Games can serve as a method of psychotherapy. This is why there are Transformational Psychological Games, which are now popular among practicing psychologists. With their help, a person can, for instance, find their purpose in life or the resources to pursue a dream. Because this topic is relatively young, it has been studied very little. This makes the research difficult, as the material was gathered through researching the websites of consulting psychologists, the Imaton Institute, as well as interviews with certified facilitators and authors of Transformational Psychological Games.
We ready to present you unique Games in a way vocational/avocational self-improvement.
The modern world raises many unexpected questions for people, the decision-making process is becoming more complicated, and the problem of choice arises more and more often. We live in a very volatile and multivariate environment. The information flow is increasing every day. Of course, significant technical and social changes require a person to quickly adapt to new living conditions.
Simultaneously with technological progress, there is a constant development of psychological and educational technologies that allow us to adapt to modern life as quickly as possible and with the least losses.
Among the large number of methods and ways to help solve a number of psychological problems, transformational games have confidently occupied their niche. They are designed to help modern people cope with stress, improve the emotional background, recharge his energy, increase awareness, clarify goals and make the necessary decisions in such areas as:
Creative self-realization and building a business
Job search and career development
Realization of dreams and achievement of goals
Personal relations, family and marriage issues
Health and beauty
Spiritual growth and philosophy and much more.
The very first transformational game originates from the games of Buddhist monks, in which they moved along the path of life in the form of a mandala from suffering to enlightenment. In the spiritual community of Findhorn in Northern Scotland, this game was adapted to the conditions of Western residents, so the first transformational board game appeared, the task of which was to transform the player's consciousness in order to bring him closer to his intended goal.
Today, transformational games most often look like board games. Some of them imply only a group format, others can be played individually. There are transformational games in which the field occupies a large area, and players make moves using a chip, or their body, or their personal things (like earrings, rings, lipstick and etc.) - they move from cell to cell. Sometimes role-playing interaction is included in the game process, the game acquires the features of psychodrama.
New games are constantly emerging, new methods are being applied, interaction is based on new ideas. Games that allow you to participate remotely, online, are actively developing.
Common to most transformational games is that they combine game technology, psychotherapy and coaching.
The game form allows you to create a safe space where the player has the right to make a mistake, where an atmosphere of acceptance and interaction is formed, which is very important for development, unlocking potential, finding restrictions and expanding the boundaries of the possible.
The psychotherapeutic approach allows you to identify familiar behavior strategies and test their effectiveness, recognize hidden motives for actions and often repetitive situations.
The coaching approach allows you to see new solutions to issues, set specific goals and develop a strategy to achieve what you want.
Almost every game contains an element of magic and surprise, which makes it even more exciting and interesting. All accidents in the game are not accidental. Each of the players has the right to believe or not to believe in "magic", but definitely, the opportunity to return to childhood and fairy tale at least for a while allows you to free up an internal resource, awaken forgotten dreams and desires.
Transformational games are one of the most environmentally friendly methods of self-research. The player himself determines at what depth he is ready to dive, how far he is ready to move in the implementation of the request. He can take a break, he can leave the game.
There are no losers in transformational games. Each participant will receive what he came for: changes in his inner picture of the world and, as a result, the possibility of changing reality.
But there are several rules that should be followed:
Choosing a game.
First, you need to formulate a question, a problem that worries you. If you play for the first time, it is better to go to the game "about everything", such a game will help to understand the roots of the difficulties encountered, explore all interrelated processes. If you have already accurately defined the range of tasks, for example, the development of certain competencies, it is better to look for a narrowly focused game for a specific task.
Choosing a host.
You should be comfortable in the company of the presenter. He's your guide and assistant. It's not easy to choose a good presenter. The game is a tool and its effectiveness depends on who uses it. For effective and environmentally friendly game management, you need to have the necessary competencies, know much more than just the rules of the game. Choosing a competent presenter guarantees you safety, efficiency and, most importantly, the pleasure of the gameplay. Collect maximum information, ask about certificates, read reviews. One of the indicators of the quality of the game and the work of the presenter can be the results obtained by players. Today there are enough events (festivals, meetings, master classes) where you can get acquainted with the authors, presenters, demo versions of games and choose what is right for you.
You need to be attentive to your feelings and condition.
If you understand that it is difficult for you to cope with the situation, your mood deteriorates, you experience discomfort, seek help from the presenter, he will give guidance and tips, help to overcome difficulties. If you don't want to continue moving in the game, you can take a pause. If necessary, you can always leave the game by warning the host, sometimes it takes a little time to complete your personal transformation process.
Transformational games are built in such a way that the personal boundaries of players are respected, privacy issues and rules of interaction are discussed in advance.
There are a number of situations where it is better to refrain from participating in transformational games:
If you're not ready for change.
Transformational games start processes of awareness, a lot can be rethought, viewed from a different angle. After the game, the perception of the situation, the attitude to what is happening changes, therefore, the surrounding reality changes.
You can come for one and leave with the other.
Very often entering the game with one desire, you can leave it with a completely different one. The game allows you to test your desire for truth, relevance, significance, identify your true goals and intentions. But the fact remains: the result of the game can be completely unexpected and very surprising. For some, this can be an additional bonus, and for others it can be very disappointing. In my opinion, when going to the game, you need to be prepared for unexpected turns.
If you need the professional help of a psychologist.
Playing is not psychotherapy. Even after spending 5 or more hours at the gaming table, you do not have to count on a "magic" cure for depression or old mental wounds. Perhaps the game will help to realize the need for deeper work, seek professional help, but it is not enough in itself. It is necessary to be careful about the game practices of people with mental disorders or in a borderline state. In these cases, it is not possible to predict the impact of the game. It can both improve and significantly worsen the overall emotional state.
If you don't like the game itself and the host.
Even if it became clear during the game. You can stop playing at any time. But in order not to create a stressful situation for yourself and other players, pay attention to the choice of the game and the host.
If you want simple and quick solutions.
The transformational game usually affects the deep and often hidden strings of our soul. Sometimes this process may not be very pleasant and requires a responsible and honest approach. If you are not ready for internal work, you probably won't like the game. Changes in life after a transformational game occur at different speeds. Many games have a prolonged effect. The discoveries and conclusions you came to at the gaming table are gradually manifesting your life. Only thanks to your own efforts can the plan outlined for the game become a reality. Sometimes it is worth going back to the recordings, photos taken in the game to make sure that your intentions are correct or find inspiration.
If you are not ready to openly discuss your problem.
Many games involve the active participation of several players. Everyone can share their anxieties, fears, experiences, discoveries and get support from other participants. Sometimes the opportunity to see a similar life situation, show care and participation, has a healing effect on the player himself. But all this becomes impossible if players do not want to talk about themselves, their difficulties, joys, experiences and life situation. A possible way out may be an individual format of the game, when you communicate only with the presenter.
Transformational psychological games today are actively developing, supplemented with new methodological developments, using various artistic images. To the question: "To play or not to play?" I would definitely answer "Play!" Consciously approach the choice of the game that leads and boldly embark on the path of self-knowledge and self-development!
