Healing through Gaming, Mindjam creator and mental health visionary, Dan Clark

Rosie FM

In this episode of Rosie FM, host Rosie Gill-Moss welcomes Dan Clark, the founder of Mindjam, an innovative company providing emotional support and mentoring through gaming.
The episode explores Dan's transition from a music teacher to an entrepreneur who created Mindjam during the pandemic to fill the gap in support for neurodivergent children and those affected by trauma and anxiety. Rosie and Dan discuss the unique therapeutic benefits of gaming, particularly for children who find traditional therapy challenging.
Digging into how Mindjam’s approach helps children build trust and communicate more effectively by integrating therapy with gaming. Dan shares his personal journey, including his motivations rooted in his own experiences as a father of neurodivergent children, and how these experiences shaped the development of Mindjam.
They also touch on the broader impacts of gaming on mental health, success stories from Mindjam, and future plans to expand the service to reach more children globally.

Dan Clark - Founder of Mindjam, A former teacher and a father, specialised in music education. He started Mindjam during the pandemic to address the lack of support for neurodivergent children. Dan's innovative approach using gaming for emotional support has earned him recognition, including a BAFTA nomination for Mentor of the Year in 2021.
Links:

• Mindjam Website

Credits:

• Host: Rosie Gill-Moss
• Guest: Dan Clark

Keywords
gaming therapy, mentoring, neurodivergent children, trauma, anxiety, emotional support, distraction, trust, virtual world, real-life situations, safe gaming, gaming, neurodivergent, MindJam, therapy, education system, trust, communication, MindJam, gaming, neurodivergent, mentorship, therapy, education, employment, mental health, skill development, flexibility, inclusivity, career guidance
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Disclaimers: The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only. The experiences and opinions expressed by the guest are personal and should not be taken as general advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek professional support for similar issues. The producers and host are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this episode.

Chapters

1. Introduction to MindJam and its Purpose (00:00:00)

2. The Impact of MindJam on Children's Lives (00:03:00)

3. Addressing Concerns and Misconceptions (00:06:32)

4. The Benefits of Gaming and Learning Opportunities (00:13:48)

5. The Benefits of Gaming for Neurodivergent Individuals (00:23:14)

6. MindJam: Bridging the Gap Between Education and Therapy (00:25:19)

7. Building Trust and Communication in a Gaming Environment (00:29:22)

8. Challenges in the Education System for Neurodivergent Children (00:34:39)

9. Introduction to MindJam and the Power of Gaming (00:44:37)

10. MindJam's Mission to Smash the System (00:51:07)

11. The Importance of Play and Gaming (00:56:18)

12. Conclusion and Embracing the Benefits of Gaming (01:03:00)