Charlotte, NC— Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Megan A. Connell, Psy.D, ABPP is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member for her contributions in Pioneering Mental Health with Therapeutic Tabletop Gaming.
Dr. Megan A. Connell stands at the forefront of mental health care, specializing in providing therapy for trauma, anxiety, depression, and autism spectrum disorders in women. With a unique approach that incorporates evidence-based practices and therapeutic tabletop gaming, Dr. Connell offers innovative and inclusive services to her clients.
A veteran of the US Army achieving the rank of Major with seven years of active duty, including service in Operation New Dawn in Iraq, Dr. Connell brings a wealth of experience in trauma and PTSD treatment to her private practice. She holds a BA in music from Berklee College of Music and an MS and Psy.D. in clinical psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology, Hawaii. She also completed one year of internship at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington.
Dr. Connell’s groundbreaking work in therapeutic tabletop gaming has earned her recognition as a pioneer in the field. Her book, “Tabletop Role Playing Therapy: Guide for the Clinical Game Master,” serves as a valuable resource for therapists seeking to integrate gaming into their practices. By embracing geek culture, Dr. Connell creates a welcoming and engaging environment for her clients, allowing them to explore their identities and build resilience through play.
In addition to her illustrious career in therapy, Dr. Connell has also founded the company, Geeks Like Us, in 2017, and co-founded a practice in 2022 called Health Quest Innovative Therapeutics (www.HQPsych.com). She explained that Health Quest is at the forefront of innovation in therapy and seeks to bring new evidence-based practices to clients across the county as well as offering psychology consultative services to media to ensure accurate representation of mental health concerns in film, TV, and gaming.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Connell is an active member of the Association for Contextual and Behavioral Sciences, where she continues to contribute to the advancement of mental health research and practice. She enjoys gaming herself and is an enthusiast of various fandoms, allowing her to connect with her clients on a deeper level.
Dr. Connell is married to Mr. Patrick Olsen, and together they have four children. Their family life enriches Dr. Connell’s understanding of the complexities of human relationships and fuels her passion for helping others navigate life’s challenges. With a philosophy centered on meeting clients where they are and helping them achieve positive changes in their lives, Dr. Connell remains committed to providing inclusive and empathetic mental health services. As she looks to the future, she aims to further pioneer the integration of geek culture into therapy, celebrating the unique identities of her clients and fostering healing through play.
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