About Us
Board Game Therapy, Inc is a 501(c)(3) corporation that was founded on July 7, 2026 by Shayna Gurvitz, LCSW and the initial Board of Directors. It was founded on the belief that everyone should be playing board games, no matter their age or background. In a world of increased digital consumption, it is especially important to get away from electronics and focus on socialization with those around us.
Board Game Therapy, Inc is a 501(c)(3) corporation that was founded on July 7, 2026 by Shayna Gurvitz, LCSW and the initial Board of Directors. It was founded on the belief that everyone should be playing board games, no matter their age or background. In a world of increased digital consumption, it is especially important to get away from electronics and focus on socialization with those around us.
What is Board Game Therapy?
Board Game Therapy was developed by Shayna Gurvitz, LCSW as a therapeutic modality for use in the individual, family, and group therapy settings. While all kinds of games have been used in therapy practice for many, many years, and by many clinicians before Shayna, Board Game Therapy is a specific intervention method utilizing hobby level games designed to target skill sets to reduce mental health symptoms. This method was developed after multiple years of Shayna engaging in research, attending trainings, and trying out different games with her individual and group clients. Her current favorites to use in sessions are Splendor, Fluxx, Horrified, Patchwork, KingDomino, Ticket to Ride, Sagrada, and Dixit. Board games build more than rapport; they build positive skills for life. Shayna runs multiple board game based groups as well as a table-top role play group!
Board Game Therapy was developed by Shayna Gurvitz, LCSW as a therapeutic modality for use in the individual, family, and group therapy settings. While all kinds of games have been used in therapy practice for many, many years, and by many clinicians before Shayna, Board Game Therapy is a specific intervention method utilizing hobby level games designed to target skill sets to reduce mental health symptoms. This method was developed after multiple years of Shayna engaging in research, attending trainings, and trying out different games with her individual and group clients. Her current favorites to use in sessions are Splendor, Fluxx, Horrified, Patchwork, KingDomino, Ticket to Ride, Sagrada, and Dixit. Board games build more than rapport; they build positive skills for life. Shayna runs multiple board game based groups as well as a table-top role play group!
Shayna grew up playing games with her family and has particularly fond memories of game nights at Grandma’s which usually included Yahtzee, Tripoley, and Rummikub. She and her husband, Ryan, played the Settlers of Catan together as teenagers which opened up another world of games. They quickly began to look into other board games and acquired Ticket to Ride and Pandemic which would officially start what is now a collection of over 170 games. Shayna and Ryan connected with many of their college friends over board games and still play together to this day! They first played Dungeons and Dragons with a friend from Shayna’s Bachelor in Social Work program! The first time hanging out with Matt and Olivia? It was for board games. They now play Daggerheart consistently together as well as run a D&D campaign for mental health professionals. The simple love of games passed down through generations has led to where we are today. We are SO excited to play a game with you!
Shayna grew up playing games with her family and has particularly fond memories of game nights at Grandma’s which usually included Yahtzee, Tripoley, and Rummikub. She and her husband, Ryan, played the Settlers of Catan together as teenagers which opened up another world of games. They quickly began to look into other board games and acquired Ticket to Ride and Pandemic which would officially start what is now a collection of over 170 games. Shayna and Ryan connected with many of their college friends over board games and still play together to this day! They first played Dungeons and Dragons with a friend from Shayna’s Bachelor in Social Work program! The first time hanging out with Matt and Olivia? It was for board games. They now play Daggerheart consistently together as well as run a D&D campaign for mental health professionals. The simple love of games passed down through generations has led to where we are today. We are SO excited to play a game with you!
Games have been shown to increase memory and recall in a variety of ages. A 68-Year Longitudinal Cohort Study found that regular board game play was associated with higher cognitive function in older adults (Altschul & Deary, 2020). Another study conducted on children ages 4-6 found that both competitive and cooperative games promoted positive prosocial behaviors (Eriksson et al., 2021). There are also many benefits to family relationships including spending quality time together, building memories, learning together, and promoting close proximity and eye contact (Ehrenfeld, 2022). Games also offer families a much needed break away from discussions of school, chores, and other responsibilities but are more active and engaging than watching a movie.
Eriksson, M., Kenward, B., Poom, L., & Stenberg, G. (2021). The behavioral effects of cooperative and competitive board games in preschoolers. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 62(3), 355–364. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.12708
Altschul, D. M., & Deary, I. J. (2020). Playing analog games is associated with reduced declines in cognitive function: A 68-year longitudinal cohort study. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 75(3), 474–482. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbz149
Ehrenfeld, L. (2022, January). Benefits of board games for children and their families. Child Development Clinic. https://www.childdevelopmentclinic.com.au/benefits-of-board-games-for-children-and-their-families.html
Games have been shown to increase memory and recall in a variety of ages. A 68-Year Longitudinal Cohort Study found that regular board game play was associated with higher cognitive function in older adults (Altschul & Deary, 2020). Another study conducted on children ages 4-6 found that both competitive and cooperative games promoted positive prosocial behaviors (Eriksson et al., 2021). There are also many benefits to family relationships including spending quality time together, building memories, learning together, and promoting close proximity and eye contact (Ehrenfeld, 2022). Games also offer families a much needed break away from discussions of school, chores, and other responsibilities but are more active and engaging than watching a movie.
Eriksson, M., Kenward, B., Poom, L., & Stenberg, G. (2021). The behavioral effects of cooperative and competitive board games in preschoolers. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 62(3), 355–364. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.12708
Altschul, D. M., & Deary, I. J. (2020). Playing analog games is associated with reduced declines in cognitive function: A 68-year longitudinal cohort study. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 75(3), 474–482. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbz149
Ehrenfeld, L. (2022, January). Benefits of board games for children and their families. Child Development Clinic. https://www.childdevelopmentclinic.com.au/benefits-of-board-games-for-children-and-their-families.html