Profile Update
Kia ora. I have supported tertiary students since 2015 and enjoy working with learners from diverse backgrounds, including members of Rainbow and neurodivergent communities. I offer a safe and welcoming space where students can talk through challenges, explore next steps, and find the support that feels right for them.
Alongside general student support, I have two key areas of specialty. The first is Healthy Relationships education. I help students recognise what healthy, respectful connections look like and how to navigate relationship concerns in a practical way.
My second area of specialty is Therapeutic Tabletop Roleplaying Games. I am a Certified Therapeutic Game Master and work with roleplaying systems such as Dungeons & Dragons and Daggerheart to support social confidence, communication, creativity, and collaborative problem solving. I facilitate Therapeutically Applied roleplaying groups for students who benefit from structured and supportive social spaces.
Outside of work I enjoy playing Dungeons & Dragons, Daggerheart, and other tabletop roleplaying games. I love spending time with my whānau who help me look after my own wellbeing.
Conference Presentations
Fighting Monsters, Finding Fellowship: Using Daggerheart to Support Neurodivergent University Students
Therapeutic + Applied Geek + Gaming Summit
Scheduled for April 2026, online
Slaying Dragons and Building Worlds: An Interactive Exploration of Roleplaying Games for Neurodivergent Student Support in Tertiary Education
ANZSSA 2025 Conference
Australian and New Zealand Student Services Association
October 2025, Auckland, New Zealand
Presented with Jess Moyle
Selected Research Supporting Therapeutic Tabletop Roleplaying
This is a small selection of research exploring the therapeutic use of tabletop roleplaying games.
Abbott, M. S., Stauss, K. A., & Burnett, A. F. (2022). Table-top role-playing games as a therapeutic intervention with adults to increase social connectedness. Social Work With Groups, 45(1), 16–31. https://doi.org/10.1080/01609513.2021.1932014
Atherton, G., Hathaway, R., Visuri, I., & Cross, L. (2024). A critical hit: Dungeons and Dragons as a buff for autistic people. Autism, 29(2), 382-394. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613241275260
Baker, I. S., Turner, I. J., & Kotera, Y. (2023). Role-play Games (RPGs) for Mental Health (Why Not?): Roll for Initiative. International Journal of Mental Health & Addiction, 21(6), 3901–3909. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-022-00832-y
Bean, A., & Connell, M. (2023). The Rise of the Use of TTRPGs and RPGs in Therapeutic Endeavors. Journal of Psychology and Psychotherapy Research, 10, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.12974/2313-1047.2023.10.01
Connell, M. A. (2023). Tabletop Role-Playing Therapy: A Guide for the Clinician Game Master. W. W. Norton & Company.
McLaren, P. J., Oades, L. G., & Deery, B. (2026). How Do Dungeon Masters and Players Contribute to the Needs Satisfaction (or Frustration) in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition?. International Journal of Role-Playing, (17), 42–63. https://doi.org/10.33063/ijrp.vi17.676
Walsh, O., & Linehan , C. (2024). Roll for Insight: Understanding How the Experience of Playing Dungeons & Dragons Impacts the Mental Health of an Average Player. International Journal of Role-Playing, (15), 36–60. https://doi.org/10.33063/ijrp.vi15.321
Yuliawati L., Wardhani PAP., Ng JH. (2024) A Scoping Review of Tabletop Role-Playing Game (TTRPG) as Psychological Intervention: Potential Benefits and Future Directions. Psychology Research and Behavior Management. 17:2885-2903
https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S466664
