Building Mental Health Skills Through Play | Dr. Celeste Sangiorgio
In this conversation, Dr. Celeste Sangiorgio discusses the intersection of video games and mental health, exploring how gaming can be utilized as a therapeutic tool. She shares insights on designing games that address mental health challenges, the importance of narrative in engaging players, and how games can influence identity development and empathy. The discussion also touches on parenting styles as represented in games, the potential for games to foster conversations between parents and children, and the future of gaming in mental health advocacy.
Listen or watch on your favorite platforms
Show Notes
In this conversation, Dr. Celeste Sangiorgio discusses the intersection of video games and mental health, exploring how gaming can be utilized as a therapeutic tool. She shares insights on designing games that address mental health challenges, the importance of narrative in engaging players, and how games can influence identity development and empathy. The discussion also touches on parenting styles as represented in games, the potential for games to foster conversations between parents and children, and the future of gaming in mental health advocacy.
Takeaways
- Dr. Celeste Sangiorgio focuses on translating cognitive behavior therapy concepts into game environments.
- Games can help build awareness of emotions and improve communication skills.
- Narrative games can effectively teach mental health skills in an engaging way.
- Video games influence identity development and self-perception in children and teens.
- Moral decision-making in games allows players to explore different perspectives.
- Parenting styles in games reflect real-life caregiving dynamics.
- Games can serve as conversation starters between parents and children.
- Research in gaming and mental health is rapidly evolving and promising.
- Effective communication with children about gaming can enhance their understanding and development.
Resources & Links Mentioned
🧪 MindLight – a biofeedback game designed to help children manage anxiety: MindLight Overview (Games for Change)
🧠Psychgeist Series by Dr. Rachel Kowert: https://rkowert.com/psychgeist/
📖 A Parent’s Guide to Video Games by Rachel Kowert: https://rkowert.com/books/
🎮 Games mentioned: Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Final Fantasy VII, The Witcher, Mass Effect, Dragon Age, God of War, Metal Gear Solid
Follow Us
📸 Instagram: @pixelparentingtips
🎧 Don’t forget to follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!
Stay Tuned For Our Latest Episodes
Pixel Parenting is your bi-weekly guide to raising tech-savvy, balanced kids. Hosted by Patricia Cangas, a mum and a seasoned expert in digital literacy and educational technology, this podcast aims to empower parents to guide their kids’ tech use confidently and thoughtfully.
From screen time to educational apps, join us to explore tools and insights that help kids—and parents—build healthy digital habits.
We won't spam you 🙂
Can Robots or AI Be Real Friends? Kids Ages 7–10 Weigh In
Can Robots or AI Be Real Friends? Kids Ages 7–10 Weigh In Dr.Iris Oved & Tiny PhilosophersWhat would a machine have to be able to do to really be a friend? I hosts a unique episode of Pixel Parenting where kids ages 7-10 tackle a philosophical question: Can robots...
Cybersecurity for Parents: Start With One Conversation | Chad Rychlewski and Kae David
Cybersecurity for Parents: Start With One Conversation. Chad Rychlewski and Kae DavidWhen was the last time you explained to grandparents why broadcasting your kids' photos to their friends is risky?I talk with cybersecurity professionals Kae David and Chad...
It’s Not You vs. Your Teen — It’s All of Us vs. Addictive Tech | Dino Ambrosi
It’s Not You vs. Your Teen — It’s All of Us vs. Addictive Tech - with Dino AmbrosiCould reframing one conversation turn your teen from defensive to collaborative about screen time? In this episode I talk with Dino Ambrosi, founder of Project Reboot, who turned his...
What Video Games Teach: How Kids Learn Through Play | Dr. Kelli Dunlap
What Video Games Teach: How Kids Learn Through Play Dr. Kelli DunlapWhat do Minecraft, D&D, and Fortnite actually teach your child's developing brain?Dr. Kelli Dunlap, a licensed clinical psychologist with a master's in game design and executive director of Take...
Violent Video Games: The Science Behind the Headlines | Dr. Rachel Kowert
Violent Video Games: The Science Behind the Headlines | Dr. Rachel KowertI sit down with Dr. Rachel Kowert, a psychologist and game researcher whose work has appeared in The New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Dr. Kowert founded the Psychgeist YouTube channel and...
Speech, Screens & Kids: What Parents Should Know | Denise Ford
Speech, Screens & Kids: What Parents Should Know | Denise FordPediatric speech-language pathologist Denise Santos Ford, M.S., CCC-SLP joins Pixel Parenting to demystify what SLPs actually do, how screen time intersects with social-emotional and language...
Screens, Brains & 5 Habits | Julianna Lorenzen
Screens, Brains & 5 Healthy Screen Habits | Julianna LorenzenHow does screen time shape kids’ brains—and what can parents actually do about it? In this episode, I talk with Julianna Lorenzen, co-founder of Healthy Screen Habits, about the neuroscience behind...
Behind the Screen: Growing Up with Games | Allie Williams
Behind the Screen: Growing Up with Games | Allie WilliamsIn this conversation, Allie shares her journey through the world of gaming, discussing her educational background in game design and neuroscience, the impact of video games on her life, and how they have helped...
13 Ways Video Games May Affect Mental Health | Dr. Nick Ballou
13 Ways Video Games May Affect Mental Health | Dr. Nick BallouIn Part 2 of our special series with Dr. Nick Ballou, postdoctoral researcher at the Oxford Internet Institute, we dive into what research actually says about the effects of video games on mental health....
What Parents Should Know About Video Game Research | Dr. Nick Ballou
What Parents Should Know About Video Game Research | Dr. Nick BallouIn this first part of a two-part series, I sit down with Dr. Nick Ballou, a postdoctoral researcher at the Oxford Internet Institute, to pull back the curtain on how video game research is actually...
Brain, Screens & Connection in Early Childhood | Rebecca Walsh
Brain, Screens & Connection in Early ChildhoodIn this episode of Pixel Parenting, we dive into the critical early years of child development with Rebecca Walsh, founder of Early Childhood Matters. Rebecca shares how the first five years shape a child’s brain, why...
Behind the Scenes: Trust, Safety & Legal in Tech Companies
Behind the Scenes: Trust, Safety & Legal in Tech CompaniesIn this episode I’m excited to welcome our Abby Vollmer, a legal and policy expert in the tech industry with a wealth of experience from GitHub, Strava, and now Cloudflare. In our conversation, Abby dives into...
Student Voices: A Middle Schooler’s Artificial Intelligence Journey
Student Voices: A Middle Schooler’s Artificial Intelligence JourneyIn this episode we explore the evolving role of AI in education through the eyes of Valentin, a tech-savvy seventh grader. Valentin recounts his early encounters with AI—starting with tools like DALL-E...
When and How Should I Introduce Video Games? – Part 2
When and How Should I Introduce Video Games? - Part 2In Part 2, I focus on practical strategies for introducing and managing video games at home. I explain how creating a simple gaming contract and using parental controls can help set clear, balanced schedules for...
When and How Should I Introduce Video Games? – Part 1
When and How Should I Introduce Video Games? - Part 1In this episode of Pixel Parenting, I, Patricia Cangas, kick off a special two-part series on introducing video games to children. In Part One, I share when it’s the right time to start gaming—covering age...
Navigating the Digital Landscape: An Overview of Modern Parenting
Navigating the Digital Landscape: An Overview of Modern ParentingIn the first episode of our series "The AI dialogs" I delve into the underlying reasons why video games are so engaging and compelling, especially for children and teenagers. Drawing from my experience...
The AI Dialogues: Why Play Video Games? A Theory
The AI Dialogues: Why Play Video Games? A TheoryIn the first episode of our series "The AI dialogs" I delve into the underlying reasons why video games are so engaging and compelling, especially for children and teenagers. Drawing from my experience as a digital...
The AI Dialogues: Understanding Gaming Disorder
The AI Dialogues: Understanding Gaming DisorderJoin Patricia and Sarah, an AI, on a discussion into the fascinating and complex world of gaming habits. This episode explores the science behind gaming disorder, the criteria used for diagnosis, and how to recognize the...
The AI Dialogs: Educational Apps
The AI Dialogs: Educational AppsAre all “educational” apps created equal? In this episode, we dive into the world of apps designed for kids, exploring how to separate the genuinely educational from the flashy distractions. With over 80,000 apps labeled “educational,”...
Why Boredom is Good for Your Toddler
Why Boredom is Good for Your ToddlerIn this episode of Pixel Parenting, I take you on a dive into the unexpected power of boredom for toddlers. I share how those seemingly idle moments can be transformed into golden opportunities for sparking creativity, building...