Journeying Through Grief: Lessons from Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker

This workshop explores the universal experience of grief through the lens of Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker, where themes of loss, resilience, and healing are woven into the storyline. Using the game’s characters, settings, and narratives, we’ll delve into how players emotionally connect with grief in the game and how these interactions can guide us through grief in real life. The workshop will highlight how grief can be both isolating and unifying and will draw upon therapeutic practices such as narrative therapy to help participants process their own experiences. (SPOILER ALERT - we will be discussing themes in the end of the expansion).

Learning Objectives:

1) Analyze the role of grief within the storytelling of Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker and compare how it mirrors real-life experiences of loss and healing.

2) Identify key therapeutic concepts for processing grief and trauma using in-game examples, and discuss how these can support clients dealing with grief.

3) Demonstrate the use of narrative therapy techniques in gaming contexts to help clients interpret and process personal loss.

4) Apply reflective exercises from the game’s narrative framework to facilitate participants’ own grief work, enabling them to recognize parallels with personal and client experiences.