What does therapy for gaming addiction look like? Part 2 of 2 (Australia)
Is my child at risk of gaming addiction?
Children and their families seeking help at the “Screens & Gaming Disorder Clinic” (Sydney) with psychologist Brad Marshall, had evidence of at least 4 out 7 main risk factors:
- Social Isolation
- Self Control Difficulties
- Impulsivity
- Family Conflict
- Lack of Warmth in Family Environment
- Victim of Bullying
- Low Self-Esteem
Have you ever wondered what happens in a session?
Young people often tell me they are anxious the first time they meet a psychologist or psychiatrist. Making a connection is important and can take time. Have you ever wondered what happens in a session? Brad published a series of 6 case studies in this article here (Marshall, 2022). He outlined 8 different components to treatment sessions at his clinic listed below:
Treatment sessions are not applied in a strict order, but encompass the following components (Marshall 2022):
1. Assessment
2. Rapport Building (usually centres around the child’s chosen
online game or activities)
3. Parent Education: the psychological underpinnings and strategies used by gaming and screen products to make their product more appealing and how this impacts the developing child/teenager’s brain.
4. Child/Teenager Education: comparable rationale to the parent education component.
5. Motivational Interviewing: focusing on what the child/teen would like to change in regards to their screen use (e.g., conflict with family, school functioning etc.).
6. Child/Teenager Individual Therapy dependent on any other
co-morbid psychological symptoms at time of assessment/
treatment plan (e.g., Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, Autism
Spectrum Disorder etc.).
7. Child/Teenager Motivational Interviewing and Individual
Therapy (dependent on any other co-morbid psychological symptoms at time of assessment/treatment plan: e.g, Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder etc).
8. Identifying and managing risks and developmental impacts
How do I get in touch with psychologist Brad Marshall?
To book a session with Brad you can contact him here. You can also read his book “The Tech Diet for your Child & Teen” here. He is also available to speak at your school or work event here. If you would like to find out more on what therapy looks like in South Korea, you can read part 1 of 2 here.
Marshall, B., Warburton, W., & Kangas, M. (2022). Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) in Children: Clinical Treatment Insights. Annals of Case Reports, 7(2), 816-826.
