Hello!
My name is Kelli and I’m a clinical psychologist, game designer, educator, and public speaker.
I’m glad you’re here!
FEATURED IN
The New York Times
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NPR
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The Washington Post
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CNBC
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Polygon
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Variety
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Smithsonian Magazine
The New York Times 〰️ NPR 〰️ The Washington Post 〰️ CNBC 〰️ Polygon 〰️ Variety 〰️ Smithsonian Magazine
Background
Kelli Dunlap, PsyD has been researching the intersection of games and mental health for over a decade.
M.A., Game Design
American University, 2016
M.A., Clinical Psychology
American School of Professional Psychology, 2011
Psy.D., Clinical Psychology
American School of Professional Psychology, 2014
B.A., Psychology
American University, 2007
Kelli is the Community Director at Take This, the first mental health non-profit dedicated to the gaming community. She also is a licensed clinical psychologist and operates her own content creator and gamer-focused private practice. She is a researcher in residence at the American University Game Center and continues to practise her game design skills through personal projects and game jams. Kelli is an internationally recognized subject matter expert on digital gaming and mental health issues and has provided expertise to a variety of institutions including the National Institute of Mental Health, the California Department of Health Care Services, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.
In addition to her academic work, Kelli has extensive experience in gaming community management + moderation and esports. Her favorite video game is Halo (Halo 2’s multiplayer and Halo 3’s campaign, to be specific) and enjoys playing games with her two kids and spouse. She enjoys volunteering as a local AYSO coach, horseback riding, and playing with her rescue beagle Penny.
“Games cannot happen without play and play cannot happen without a sense of safety.”
— Kelli Dunlap, Clash of Realities Conference 2022
Publications
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Psychonauts 2 Enemies - Censor and Bad Idea (Clinical Contributor) in A. Esqueda’s The Art of Psychonauts 2.
Mental Health Live: An Ethnographic Study of the Mental Health of Twitch Streamers During COVID. In J. Brewer, B. Ruberg, A. Cullen, and C. Persaud’s Real Life in Real Time: Live Streaming Culture
Of Men and Monsters In R. Kowert The Psychgeist of Pop Culture: The Witcher
Mental Health of Twitch Streamers During COVID-19 In J.A. Rodriguez et al. Mental Health Atmospheres Video Games: New Directions in Game Research II
You Are the One Foretold; Finding Yourself Through the Journey In R. Kowert Video Games and Well-BeingCommunity Evolved: Celebrating Halo's Fan Community In Frankel, Fuchs, & Moore Community Evolved: Celebrating Halo's Fan Community
Industry Perspectives: Psychological Character Development in Halo Levels In C. Totten An Architectural Approach to Level Design
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You've (Not) Been Warned: Developer Best Practices for Content Warnings and Why Compassion Matters. Dunlap, K. (2022). Games: Research and Practice. ACM.
Mental Health in 3D: A Dimensional Model of Mental Illness Representation in Digital Games. Dunlap, K. & Kowert, R. (2021). Loading… The Journal of Canadian Game Studies Association, 13(22).
The Monstrosity of Stigma: Mental Health Representation in Video Games. Dunlap, K. & Kowert, R. (2021). Proceedings from The 17th annual Tampere University Game Research Lab spring seminar. April 20-22, 2021.
Representation of Mental Illness in Video Games. Dunlap, K. (2018). Proceedings from 2019 Connected Learning Summit.
Beyond Empathy: Games to Foster Teen's Social and Emotional Skills. Dunlap, K., & Rivers, S. (2019). Journal of Games, Self, & Society.
Mediating Factors in the Relationship Between Video Games and Mental Health. Dunlap, K. (2014). Doctoral dissertation.
Integration of Game Design and Theory into Group Psychotherapy with Veterans with Severe/Chronic Mental Illness. Dunlap, K. (2013). Games & Health.
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Why Developers are Designing Video Games for Accessibility. - PBS News Hour
Mind games: How gaming can play a positive role in mental health - Microsoft
"Danger Dumplings": How Arachnophobia Inspired a New Type of Gaming Innovation - Inverse
Depressed and Anxious? These Videos Games Want to Help - The New York Times
The Lure of Emotionally Complex Video Games - Variety
The Tangled Web of Game Addiction - Game Informer
The Lure of Emotionally Complex Video Games - UnDark
Streamers aren’t therapists. But some therapists are streamers - Polygon
‘Bite-sized fun’: The Psychology Behind Your Sudden Wordle Obsession - CNBC
5 Burnout Triggers for Creators and How To Get Support - The Tilt
Health video games could change how we treat patients — but doctors still need to be convinced - Business Insider
This Teenager Is Developing a Video Game That Assesses Your Mental Health - Smithsonian Magazine
Trolls, Haters, and Abusers: What Creators Can Do About Online Bullying - The Tilt
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Mental Health in Games - How We Can Do Better - Extra Credits
Nerds At Work w/ TsundEri Episode 2: Kelli Dunlap, PsyD.
UX Summit: Do No Harm: Ethical Design for Emotionally Heavy Games GDC 2021
Beyond the Empathy Games 101: Digging Deep into Empathy, Ethics, and Design with Kelli Dunlap - Games 4 Change 2019
Video Games in the Therapy Room: An Introduction for Mental Health Providers - Child’s Play Charity
A Conversation with Dr. Kelli Dunlap // Clinical Psychologist & Game Designer - Academy of Esports
Mental Health Representation and Video Games with Dr Kelli Dunlap - Mxiety
Can Games Change The World? - Dr. Kelli "Goose" Dunlap (Take This CM) - Six Wing Studios
Psyched to be with you Dr Kelli Dunlap - Season 2 Episode 7 - Psyched to be With you