What if the games already sitting in your therapy office could do more than help kids pass the time?

In this episode of Psyched to Practice, Paul Wagner and Dr. Ray Christner explore how therapists can use everyday games, improv activities, and metaphors to teach practical clinical skills. From using Jenga to practice emotional regulation and manage impulsivity to using chess to build executive functioning skills, they share ways to turn familiar activities into meaningful learning experiences.

You’ll hear how a simple deck of cards can encourage perspective-taking, how magic tricks can build critical thinking, and how improv exercises can help kids approach problems from new angles. They also discuss using games like Perfection to explore frustration, performance anxiety, and coping with unexpected outcomes.

The conversation goes beyond choosing the right activity. Paul and Ray explain why therapists need to identify the skill they want to teach, recognize meaningful moments during play, and help clients apply what they learn to everyday situations.

Whether you work with children, adolescents, or adults, this episode offers practical ideas for making therapy more engaging while keeping clinical goals at the center.

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