Tech company, child psychologist develop gaming therapy

CyberJocks, a Western New York technology company, has partnered with child psychologist Drew C. Messer to develop innovative treatments for children and adolescents.

Electronic Gaming Therapy fuses traditional therapeutic processes with modern video games to facilitate social and emotional growth, foster self-regulation and promote good behaviors through a strengths-based approach.

The program was reportedly effective with a wide range of children, including those diagnosed with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and autism spectrum disorders during its four-year development cycle in Japan.

Results of the study showed the program proved to be an unusually novel and effective application of video game technology.

“Today’s children naturally gravitate towards video games,” Messer said. “When you blend the emotional and social aspects of video games with the therapeutic process, children become

engaged in ways that we don’t typically see with more traditional therapy. Electronic Gaming Therapy takes advantage of cutting-edge technology that appeals to children and adolescents.”

A socialization program is held at 7 p.m. every Monday at CyberJocks, 3311 Sheridan Drive, Amherst. Messer and CyberJocks are developing custom video games and software applications specifically designed to enhance therapeutic goals for use in the program.

“Out goal is to develop a complete package that health professionals all over the world can use to aid in treating their patients,” CyberJocks CIO Aaron Kondziela said. “The combination of Dr. Messer’s research and development with our custom technology is opening up new avenues for treatment. It’s exciting to be on the forefront of something so beneficial for families.”

For information, visit www.cyber jocks.com/egt.