5 Ready-to-Use Therapy Board Games For Group Counseling Sessions

You’ve probably had one of those days: a group of students is staring at you with crossed arms, nervous glances, or complete silence. You’ve prepped your session, but getting them to open up? That’s another story.

That’s where therapy board games become your not-so-secret weapon.

Games break the ice, lower defenses, and give students something concrete to focus on, so the pressure of "sharing" doesn’t feel quite so big. They turn difficult topics like friendship conflict, big emotions, and social anxiety into moments of laughter, movement, and reflection.

These games are more than just fun—they’re therapeutic tools in disguise. The structure of a game gives students a sense of safety. The playfulness reduces the heaviness. And the shared experience fosters trust and connection, especially in group settings where building rapport is half the battle.

Another big win? Their versatility. Whether you’re running a weekly social-emotional group, stepping in for a classroom guidance session, or just need something that works for multiple ages and needs, these games let you meet students where they’re at and get them where they need to go. With just a bit of planning (and often a lot of laughter), these tools can turn passive group time into active, meaningful engagement.

If you’re looking for a quick overview of what each of these five therapy board games covers, you may also find our blog on 5 Board Games for Teaching Social Skills, Coping Strategies, and Emotional Regulation helpful here.

Let’s get into the practical part: 5 sessions you can run with just a game board, some dice, and your amazing presence.

Session 1: Breaking the Ice & Building Connection

Game: Dice Game for Teens & Tweens Focus: Self-expression, rapport-building, group bonding

Structure

• Set the group in a circle with the 6x6 game board in the center

• Each student takes turns rolling 2 dice to determine their question square

• The student reads and responds to their unique question aloud

• Encourage follow-up responses from peers to build on connection and shared experience

• Continue for 2–3 rounds or until every student has participated equally

Why it Works

This game is packed with relatable, creative, and quirky prompts that are perfect for teens. From imagining their anxiety as a weather forecast to naming a self-care anthem, the questions meet them at their level while still promoting depth. It encourages vulnerability in a non-threatening way, especially when students see others sharing openly. Because the questions are randomized, students experience both predictability and surprise, which keeps engagement high.

Wrap-Up Prompt

"What’s one thing you learned about someone else today?"  This helps center the group’s attention on relational awareness and reinforces active listening.

Optional Enhancements

• Play a "speed round" for high-energy groups by setting a 30-second timer per question

• Ask students to write down one answer they’re proud of and add it to a group strengths wall

• Pick a theme (like relationships or self-care) and focus responses around it

Session 2: Exploring Emotions and Coping Tools

Game: Coping Skills Board Game Focus: Emotional awareness, stress management, resilience-building

Structure

• Introduce the game and explain that each prompt explores ways to manage challenging emotions

• Students take turns moving their piece and reading the prompt from the space they land on

• Encourage students to respond based on what they’ve tried, what might work for them, or what sounds new

• Keep a shared list or whiteboard of all the coping tools mentioned during the game

• Conclude the game with group discussion or quiet reflection time

Why it Works

Many students have never taken the time to think about what truly helps them feel better. This game gives them that chance, without judgment. It makes the concept of coping more relatable and accessible.

When students hear ideas from peers and connect prompts to their own lives, they begin to build an internal coping toolbox they can actually use. Plus, talking about stress or anxiety in a game format helps take the intensity out of it.

Wrap-Up Prompt

"What’s one new coping strategy you heard today that you’d like to try?"

Optional Enhancements

• As a group, create a "Coping Wall" with sticky notes naming their favorite tools

• Ask students to draw their own "Coping Creature" that uses their top 3 tools

• Invite students to role-play using a strategy in a common school scenario

Session 3: Managing Anger in a Healthy Way

Game: Anger Management Board Game Focus: Emotional regulation, conflict resolution, self-awareness

Structure

• Introduce the game as a safe space to talk about frustration, anger, and big emotions

• Let students take turns rolling the dice and answering anger-related questions

• Facilitate short discussions after each card to normalize their experiences and highlight healthy ways to respond

• As students play, guide them in creating a shared list of "calm-down" strategies

• Encourage reflection or artistic expression at the end (draw their anger, write a letter to it, etc.)

Why it Works

Anger can be one of the hardest emotions for students to talk about. This game gives them a structured, supportive way to explore it without shame. By naming triggers, learning about warning signs, and identifying healthy outlets, students can better understand how their anger works and what to do about it. It’s especially powerful in group settings where peers can offer empathy and see they’re not alone.

Wrap-Up Prompt

"What’s one thing that helps you feel calmer when you're angry?"

Optional Enhancements

• Create an "Anger Toolbox" drawing where students list tools or reminders that help

• Have each student complete the sentence: "My anger shows up as ____ but I can ____ to manage it"

• Invite the group to role-play common school conflict situations using their new tools

Session 4: Strengthening Social Skills in a Safe Space

Game: Social Skills Board Game Focus: Conversation skills, empathy, confidence in peer interactions

Structure

• Introduce the game by talking about what social skills are and why they matter

• Play in small groups or pairs depending on the group size

• Take turns responding to prompts that encourage practicing introductions, listening, asking questions, and handling tricky social situations

• Encourage short role-plays or group input after each turn to build confidence and shared learning

Why it Works

Many students struggle with basic but essential social skills. This game offers a way to practice those skills through experience instead of lecture. By acting out or discussing common social scenarios, students build both awareness and ability. It helps quiet students find their voice, and talkative students become better listeners. The safe, supportive setting of a game takes the fear out of practicing these skills.

Wrap-Up Prompt

"What’s one thing you’ll try this week to connect better with someone else?"

Optional Enhancements

• Use sentence starters to help students practice polite conversation ("Hi, my name is..." or "I noticed you like...")

• Make a classroom or group poster titled "How We Connect Well with Others"

• Have students write or draw a comic strip of a positive social interaction they want to practice

Session 5: Working Through Friendship Challenges Together

Game: Healthy Friendship Board Game Focus: Peer relationships, boundaries, problem-solving, empathy

Structure

• Set the tone by discussing how friendships can have both joyful and tricky moments

• Let students take turns moving around the board and drawing a card based on the color of the space they land on (True/False, Act It Out, How Would You Feel, or BFF Drama)

• After each response, pause to allow reflection, group discussion, or quick role-play depending on the prompt

• Group students into pairs for deeper scenarios and encourage creative solutions

• Track common themes on a whiteboard, such as peer pressure, jealousy, or inclusion

Why it Works

Friendship is a key part of students' daily lives and also one of their biggest emotional stressors. This game gives them the space to name and explore their challenges while also strengthening social and emotional problem-solving. Because the prompts reflect real-life situations, students often relate immediately and feel empowered to share, listen, and grow.

Wrap-Up Prompt

"What’s one thing you want to do differently in your friendships this week?"

Optional Enhancements

• Let students create their own friendship scenario cards and swap with the group

• Use drawing activities to visualize what a healthy friendship looks like

• Create a friendship agreement or kindness pledge for the group to sign

Access any of these 5 Board Games here:

• Dice Game for Teens & Tweens

• Coping Skills Board Game

• Anger Management Board Game

• Social Skills Board Game

• Healthy Friendship Board Game
  

Gentle Observations: Some of the most meaningful moments in group counseling don’t happen during a lecture or worksheet. They happen in the in-between, in a laugh shared over a silly prompt, in the quiet pause before a thoughtful answer, in the gentle nudge of a peer saying, "I’ve felt that too."

These board games make space for those moments. They give you structure without rigidity, conversation without pressure, and growth without force. Whether you're supporting a student who’s struggling to open up or helping a group navigate emotions together, these tools are designed to make your job a little lighter and your sessions a lot more impactful.

I hope these ideas give you a strong starting point, and a sense of ease, in planning your next group. You’re doing important work, and I’m so glad you’re here.

Jemma (Gentle Observations Team)

P.S. If you're a Therapy Resource Library member, all five of these board games are available in your membership.

You can log in to download them directly:

• Dice Game for Teens & Tweens

• Coping Skills Board Game

• Anger Management Board Game

• Social Skills Board Game

• Healthy Friendship Board Game

P.P.S. If you're not a member yet, you can learn more about the Therapy Resource Library and how it gives you instant access to hundreds of ready-to-use resources HERE

P.P.P.S. You may also enjoy our other post on this topic: 5 Board Games for Teaching Social Skills, Coping Strategies, and Emotional Regulation. 

This post offers an overview of each game and how to use them one-on-one or in general SEL work. It’s a great companion read if you’re deciding which game to use or want a deeper understanding of how each one works.