Therapeutic Dungeons & Dragons Group

2026-2027 Campaign Dates

D&D runs on Sundays during the school year.
Each campaign is carefully grouped by age & stage:

Sunday Sessions:
Session 1, Ages 8-10ish | 10am – 11:30am
Session 2, Ages 11-13ish | 12:30pm – 2pm
Session 3, Ages 14+ | 3pm – 4:30pm

• Fall Term Sundays: September 13 – December 20, 2026
  (15 weeks – 2 flex sessions* can be credited to another program/service if missed)
• Winter Term Sundays: January 3 – March 14, 2027
  (11 weeks – 1 flex session* can be credited to another program/service if missed)
• Spring Term Sundays:  March 21 – June 27, 2027
  (15 weeks – up to 2 flex sessions* can be credited to another program/service if missed)

Rate: $175/session (each term paid in full, in advance)

WATCH THIS SPACE AS WE GROW OUR D&D TEAM …
New adventures arriving soon!  Family D&D sessions, in-home sessions, & D&D-art fusions are on the horizon …

What is involved in the therapeutic D&D program?

Each group centers around an exciting original Dungeons and Dragons campaign. Beginners and seasoned players are welcome! D&D is a classic role-playing game (think Stranger Things) with a huge global following. It can become a life-long avenue for kids to find their people and their passion! All supplies are provided, and no experience is necessary.  Campaigns are different every time, evolving depending on the specific players’ choices and actions.  They can run for as short as a few hours, or as long as players decide to make them – some campaigns have been running for decades!

Our experienced Dungeon Masters will guide participants through the game as they develop and practice a range of communication, social, and emotional DBT-informed skills under the supervision of supervising Social Worker Claire, or Calvin including:

• Regulating emotions using new skills as gameplay rolls out in unexpected or non-preferred ways
• Managing through distress and conflict when a decision is made within the game that isn’t popular
• Perspective-taking both via imaginary characters and theoretical situations, as well as in real life with the other players and the Dungeon Master
• Communicating clearly with others and using language effectively to discuss strategy, negotiate, compromise, and set boundaries
• Flexible thinking, adapting to a constantly changing situation, transitioning focus & attention
• Building positive, respectful relationships with peers and making good friends
• Experiencing ‘safe consequences’ in a supported environment

Check out This Article from John Hopkins University about why Dungeons & Dragons is an excellent format for group therapy!

The D&D program is full of opportunities to communicate clearly and self-regulate in social situations, identify and express emotions, and practice executive function skills.

Who is the Therapeutic Dungeons & Dragons Group for?

• Everyone from age 8-18+!  Register your interest as we are always building groups.
• This group would suit kids who want to level up their social-emotional skills in a small, supported social setting that engages their interests and passions
• Fantastic opportunity for young adults looking to keep building their social problem-solving, negotiation, communication, and self-advocacy skills in a real-life setting
• PRIVATE FAMILY SESSIONS COMING SOON … Feeling stuck in unhelpful dynamics with your kids/teens/young adult ‘roommates’? Ask us about private family D&D campaigns tailored to your needs, and change your household’s narrative for the better with this playful, non-threatening approach to family therapy (no prior gameplay experience needed)!

Where is D&D happening?

• 144 Wilson St East, Ancaster (Weekly campaigns)
• St Andrew’s Church, 31 Sulphur Springs Rd (Summer camps)

How much does D&D cost & how is it billed?

• Rate is $175/session, registered by the term; payment is due in full on registration and will be held on credit in your account
  • Fall Term total cost: $2625
  • Winter Term total cost: $1925
  • Spring Term total cost: $2625
• *Flex Sessions: Programs are registered by the term. For programs that are running longer than 8 weeks, we are offering a specific number of “flex sessions”, depending on the length of the term.
  
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  Spaces are limited and your child/teen’s spot is held for the full length of the term (term length varies by season). We want to be as flexible as possible for families – we completely understand that life happens, and over the length of the term, you may have to miss a session or two. At the same time, we need to protect the therapeutic integrity of the program, and be able to plan and staff professionally in advance for low-ratio support.
  Hence the ‘flex sessions’ – if you make your prepayment in full by the start date of the program, your child/teen can be absent for a certain number of sessions without being financially penalized. You will still be required to credit your account upfront for the full length of the program, but flexible sessions will not be charged, and the credit will remain on your account for use in any future program or service (please note there are still no refunds for program registrations unless there is a therapeutic decision made to shift services for your child/teen’s well-being). Our usual process is to apply flex session credits towards the next term’s services (i.e. if a flex session credit is from the fall, it will be applied towards winter services). However, if you would like the credit applied sooner towards a service in the same term, please notify either the camp registration or accounting team by email and we’ll be happy to apply the credit towards the service you wish. The credit must be used within 12 months – credit will be forfeited if not used within one year of the flex session being taken. Any missed sessions that occur over and above the allowed number of flexible sessions per term will still be charged as usual. (in some cases you may be able to enter a program mid-term as a new client; in that case your commitment is to the remainder of the term). Please note that payment plans do not qualify for flex sessions, and are billed regardless of attendance.
• Participants who are new to the clinic must come through our standard intake process and book an initial appointment for therapeutic assessment, treatment planning and file setup ($250 initial appointment).
• Please note that while we offer some flexibility (see above), we do not provide refunds for program registrations. Refunds are only available if a therapeutic decision is made to change the services for your child or teen’s well-being.
• Each week you will be sent a paid receipt for $175 via email (usually within 24-48hrs of each session) billed under the supervising social worker Claire Arkett or Calvin Prowse
• Any missed sessions that occur over and above the allowed number of flexible sessions per term will still be charged as ‘Late Cancel’ or ‘No Show’ as usual.
• Missed group sessions may not be covered by your insurer; please note that families are responsible for the cost of the program regardless of attendance
• This program can be covered by many private benefit plans under social work. OAP funds can also be used.
• If you have any questions about funding or billing or would like help interpreting your benefit plan, please email your questions to our accounts specialist at  accounts@nowwhatsupports.ca 
• Please talk to Karen in accounts if you require alternate billing arrangements such as a staggered payment plan
• Questions about using your insurance at NowWhat?  Check out our Insurance FAQs
• Prices are subject to change

How do I register for D&D?

• Give us a call at 289 678 0581 or send us an email at info@nowwhatsupports.ca
• If you are brand new to NowWhat, our intake team will reach out to support you and book your child/family an Initial Appointment (required before our team can place a child in any therapeutic program)
• Feel free to call in and have a chat with the front desk to ask questions and work out the best option for your family – we have lots going on around here all year, and building social fluency is a key goal in every one of our children’s programs!