The Healthy Gaming Zone

Episode 56 - My Time As A Drug Rehab Counselor

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Sat, 29 Mar 2025 00:30:00 +0000

Gaming Addiction Specialist, Joshua Garth, LMFT, talks about his time working in drug rehab, his experiences, and how it changed him as a clinician. Join him as he gives you a peek into his professional life, and how a therapeutic setting he feared became the place that had the most impact on him.

Episode 55 - Politics in Video Games

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 00:30:00 +0000

Politics has become a major tension point in American culture nowadays, to the point where politics has made its way into gaming. But, is that just a recent occurrence, and how can we tell if the politics/messaging in video games is okay? Turns out, the messaging may not be the important piece to focus on in video games and politics. Gaming Addiction Specialist, Joshua Garth, LMFT, doesn’t believe so. Listen to his take on politics in video games.

Episode 54 - Understanding Gaming Cessation

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Sat, 08 Mar 2025 01:30:00 +0000

Cessation of gaming for a gaming addict is not a single moment in time; it is a process over a lifetime. Joshua Garth, LMFT, gives his perspective on gaming cessation for a gaming addict, and what you can do as a parent to understand and facilitate the transition.

Episode 53 - Bridge Between Online and Real Life

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Sat, 22 Feb 2025 02:30:00 +0000

Having trouble speaking to your video game addicted son? Maybe conversations get too intense and you can't seem to get past one word answers. Host, Joshua Garth, LMFT, discusses the problem, where the relationship can find connection, and explains an intervention in detail that he uses in his practice that helps bridge the gap.

Episode 52 - The Meeting

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 02:30:00 +0000

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You feel like you’re ready to have the meeting, but don’t have the correct verbiage or know what to expect? Joshua Garth, LMFT, gives his thoughts on how the big meeting with your gaming addict child without high tension, and how you can change your family dynamic.

Episode 51 - Before the Big Meeting With Your Gaming Addict

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 02:00:00 +0000

You know things at home must change, but where do you start? What do you need to do to prepare? Join Joshua Garth, LMFT, as he leads you through preparation steps before having the meeting that will stem the control video game addiction has on your family.

Episode 50 - Making Changes

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 23:24:37 +0000

Episode 50 - Making Changes explores the factors behind paralysis in change, what to do to overcome it, and why it is there in the first place. Join Joshua Garth, LMFT, to explore what may be holding you back from making lasting change when facing gaming addiction.

Episode 49 - Healthy Gaming Lifestyle Tips

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 20:58:06 +0000

How can you incorporate gaming into your lifestyle and still feel like you are getting everything you want? Listen to this episode of the Healthy Gaming Zone with your host, Joshua Garth, LMFT, and get some quick tips, and pitfalls to avoid.

Episode 48 - Susceptibility of Men and Gaming Disorder

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:17:23 +0000

Men are the main demographic for gaming over the past few decades, but they are also more likely to qualify for gaming disorder, based on a study of 3,000 teen students. Find out why that is in this episode of the Healthy Gaming Zone, with Licensed MFT, Joshua Garth.

Episode 47 - Incels and Gaming

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 14:00:00 +0000

What is the connection between incels and gaming, and do you identify with incel culture? Find out what incels are and how they have influenced the online community of men in this episode of the Healthy Gaming Zone.

Episode 46 - Planning and Scheduling

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 25 Jul 2022 14:00:00 +0000

Are you feeling like you aren't being efficient with your time? How much time gaming is too much, and do you feel guilty whenever you game? Maybe you should take some of that time to figure out what is truly important to you, and what would make you feel like your time is going towards things you value. Find out what it all means in this episode of the Healthy Gaming Zone.

Episode 45 - The Red Pill Community

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 14:00:00 +0000

Excessive gaming may be more than a result of gaming addiction. It may also be reinforced by messages heard around social media, forums, and other communication platforms. For those who have not heard of the Red Pill community, this is a community that may be keeping gamers in the virtual world out of fear. Find out how in this episode of the Healthy Gaming Zone.

Episode 44 - More Anti-Work (Feat. Ryan Heapy LMFT)

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 04 Jul 2022 14:00:00 +0000

Can two Marriage and Family Therapists find the answer to inspiring and motivating people who see work as being a trap, exploitative, and worthless? Ryan Heapy, LMFT, gives us his take as we take a deeper dive into what the Anti-Work movement has as an underlying motivation, and what it means on a psychological level for young Americans.

Episode 43 - Anti-Work and Gaming

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 14:00:00 +0000

The host continues his dive into gaming culture by exploring the Anti-Work subreddit. Is anti-work providing a good platform of beliefs for gamers to follow? Make your choice as you listen to this week's episode of the Healthy Gaming Zone.

Episode 42 - The Gaming Community

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 14:00:00 +0000

This episode is the beginning of a series where the host dives into some of the unwritten beliefs of the deeper gaming community. The host ties in Gaming Addiction as an enabler as the network of online communications supports a life spent in front of a screen. What do you not know about the network of the gaming culture? Get a summary in this episode.

Episode 41 - Pay-To-Win

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 14:00:00 +0000

The host opens by giving his take on the mass shooting in Uvalde, and how video games should not be blamed for it. The host then transitions into the new Pay-To-Win mechanics Blizzard has incorporated into Diablo Immortal, and how predatory it is. Should Pay-To-Win be the new mainstay in video games or should the older model of gaming (pay once, play forever) continue? Gambling and gaming addiction come together in this episode of the Healthy Gaming Zone.

Episode 40 - The Purpose of Therapy For Gaming Addiction

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Sun, 05 Jun 2022 14:00:00 +0000

What is the purpose of going to therapy for gaming addiction? Maybe you are confused about how someone could be addicted to a screen. Find out what is missing, and why therapy is important for addiction.

Episode 39 - Pornography Use and Gaming

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 30 May 2022 14:00:00 +0000

Pornography has been a major point of contention over the last couple of decades due to its accessibility skyrocketing over the internet. The host goes over an article with statistics that may be questionable, but also, adds his own opinion on how pornography use relates to gaming.

Episode 38 - Preparing For Vacations

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 23 May 2022 14:00:00 +0000

The host shows some anger as he lays out his idea for people who don't belong on vacations, and what is expected of those who go on vacations. Gaming addicts understand vacation issues at their core, but don't express what it does to them. Find out if you want to send some hate mail to the host after this one.

Episode 37 - Johnny Depp Vs. Amber Heard

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 16 May 2022 14:00:00 +0000

How on earth could the Amber Heard vs. Johnny Depp trial be related to gaming addiction? Find out how it goes back to the host's childhood, and what he learned from the trial.

Episode 36 - Making Small Changes

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 09 May 2022 20:15:57 +0000

From hatred of long orders, to understanding the triggers that put people back into active addiction, the host wraps all of the tangents up and gives some personal advice on what he believes to be some practical solutions to getting things done.

Episode 35 - Listening To Others

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 02 May 2022 20:13:06 +0000

The host describes his problems with the marathon he had run the day before, and talks about how he sees a lack of listening being a main concern nowadays. Find out what had him turning in bed the night before the race in this episode.

Episode 34 - The Social Conundrum

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 19:10:31 +0000

Do you feel like the only thing you need in your life is your computer? When was the last time you went out to have a good time? Do you think you can have a good time socializing? Join the Healthy Gaming Zone in this week's episode where the host explains how the gaming addict's social life suffers, where things may have gone wrong.

Episode 33 - Deception and Addiction

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 23:35:39 +0000

Episode 32 - Identity Formation and Gaming

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 18:51:07 +0000

Is excessive gaming altering your identity development? You may be surprised what gaming addiction can do to who you think you are. Find out how excessive gaming is causing major problems with how people perceive their worth to others.

Episode 31 - Killing Creativity Through Addiction

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 14:00:00 +0000

What are you sacrificing to fulfill your gaming itch? Who are you avoiding? Is it your parents, your significant other, yourself? Maybe spending time away from the game is too much to tolerate. Listen to find out where creativity ends, and addiction begins. Maybe the unknown is exactly where you need to be.

Episode 30 - Understanding Shawn Woolley’s Story

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 01:09:51 +0000

After reading, Your Son did Not Die In Vain, by Liz Woolley, the host tries to make sense of what can be learned from Shawn’s story. The host focuses on the signs that Shawn was suffering from gaming addiction, and elaborates on some of the common threads the host had experienced himself

Episode 29 - My Home Invasion Experience

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 00:43:54 +0000

The host describes his strange home invasion experience, and compares his response today against how he would have reacted just a year ago... and why his excessive gaming would have had a negative impact on him during this chaotic period.

Episode 28 - A Warning For Parents Waiting Too Long For Help

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Parents, don't wait too long to get help for your son who is excessively gaming. Gaming Addiction does not go away, and the host recalls his time in active addiction as he tries to warn about the result of waiting to long. Join the host in finding your desire to put an end to the issue that is sweeping the world.

Episode 27 - Covid-19 Anxiety and Its Effects

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 15:00:00 +0000

The host pontificates about Covid-19 Anxiety, Gaming Addiction, and their link together. What if excessive gaming is a natural way to deal with the pandemic and its effects? Find out if you agree with the host.

Episode 26 - Gaming Relationship Stats

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 15:00:00 +0000

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In this fun episode, the host presents his take on relationships created and maintained via video games, and provides some interesting stats about relationships that were formed and developed in video games.

Episode 25 - Why Go To School?

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Is going to school in person worth it? Why learn about quadradic equations if you want to be a car mechanic? All of the information in school can be learned online anyways. Gaming addicts pose these questions, and many more, about school. Maybe the host can shed some light on this. Join us in this episode trying to find the underlying purposes of going to school.

Episode 24 - NFT’s Metaverse, and Video Games as a New Society

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 15:00:00 +0000

The host tries to predict what all of the technological advances in cryptocurrency, NFT's, and the Metaverse today will mean for us as humans, and what we as people part of the revolution should do.

Episode 23 - Getting Into Therapy (Feat. Ryan Heapy, LMFT)

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 31 Jan 2022 15:00:00 +0000

(Warning: Episode contains explicit) Good friend, Ryan Heapy, LMFT, joins the host into explaining the process of getting into therapy, becoming a therapist, and discusses his dark history that led to a meaningful and purposeful life.

Episode 22 - The Metaverse and Gaming Addiction Pt. 2 Virtual Real Estate and The Consequences

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 15:00:00 +0000

The host elaborates his understanding on what the Metaverse is, and what it could do to expand gaming addiction beyond the "average" gaming addict. Find out the hosts take on the metaverse and where it is going to go in this episode.

Episode 21 - Signs of Addiction - Pt. 1 Virtual Real Estate and The Consequences

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 15:00:00 +0000

In part 1 of this series, the host looks at a more detailed view of what addiction looks like, and how gaming addiction contrasts from other addictions. The host also gives a real life example of two cops that may be addicted themselves which led to truly dishonorable behavior. If you have any questions about video game addiction, feel free to go to my website at https://www.gamingaddictioncounseling.com/

Episode 20 - Covid and Dealing With Loss

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 10 Jan 2022 15:00:00 +0000

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Episode 19 - Life Audit

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Are you ready for 2022? The host urges you to take a look back at 2021 before moving forward. This episode dives into the life audit, as the host explains that being honest with yourself is the only way growth can happen. That means looking into the dusty closet and taking an honest assessment. Are video games filling up the spaces that should be filled by other things?

Episode 18 - Pt. 3 The Holiday Hangover

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Are you ready for the holidays to be over? Did you get a new video game to escape into? Don't be sucked in by the postpartum depression of the holiday season and fall into a lengthy staycation in your home. Give this time before summer new meaning. Find out what the hosts suggests in this episode of the Healthy Gaming Zone.

Episode 17 - Pt. 2 Taking Risks During The Holidays

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Do you dread holiday parties? It would be so much easier if the family could celebrate through video games, but instead they insist on meeting in person. The host of this episode has a few words of wisdom as he explains his experience with taking risks as an introvert during holiday family parties.

Episode 16 - Holiday Thoughts Pt. 1

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Setting financial boundaries during the holiday season is difficult enough, but it's part of knowing your limits. Gaming addicts have difficulty setting boundaries with themselves, but relationships are the best place to practice. Listen to find out the host's thoughts on boundaries during the holidays.

Episode 15 - The Tough Questions

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Have you ever felt like everything you try as a parent does nothing to help your gaming addicted kid? Have you ever thought that maybe you're contributing to the problem? Find out what needs to change as the host directly talks to the support system of video game addicts.

Episode 14 - The Beginnings of Gaming Addiction Counseling

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 15:00:00 +0000

The beginnings of any long term project fantasize about its end, but rarely is the path taken the same as the one envisioned. The host talks about why he specialized in video game addiction, why he became a marriage and family therapist, and what he has learned so far from his practice; Gaming Addiction Counseling

Episode 13 - Update on Activision Blizzard Lawsuit from DFEH

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 15:00:00 +0000

The host discusses updates on Activision Blizzard and his thoughts about the gaming company, their behavior, and how their stock has been affected.

Episode 12 - Identity Development and Video Games

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 15 Nov 2021 15:00:00 +0000

The host reveals what he believes is the primary reason people resort to video games for relief and how playing video games becomes a surrogate environment to develop and form identity.

Episode 11 - Needs and Wants Fulfilled By Gaming

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 15:30:00 +0000

Do you know what needs are being fulfilled or missed by gaming? Maybe you know a person that spends most of their time grinding away in their favorite video game. Here is an insider's perspective on what video games give and take away.

Episode 10 - Getting Past The Pain

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 14:00:00 +0000

Once the choice to take pain of pleasure, what happens if the pain becomes to great? Seems quite a bit easier to just keep doing the same stuff. At least we know what to expect. Or is the thought of doing the same grind day after day too much. Take a listen and see if the pain is really too much to tolerate.

Episode 9 - What Else Is There To Do?

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 14:00:00 +0000

Is there anything more exciting to do than play video games? At the heart of gaming addiction is this question, but what is the question asking? Find out the answer as the Host sheds light on it.

Episode 8 - Boundaries and Limits

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 00:42:02 +0000

Boundaries in gaming can be skewed; however, boundaries in life are tested all the time. What does it mean to have boundaries for yourself, and how do you know when your personal limits are being tested? Find out in this podcast as the Host of The Healthy Gaming Zone takes you through his own realizations about boundaries and limits.

Episode 7 - #Gamergate

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Sat, 21 Aug 2021 19:32:13 +0000

#Gamergate was very polarizing...and misunderstood, as well as politicized. I try to explain the timeline, and how the negative conclusions came about. Join me in diving through the harassment, backlash, and results of #Gamergate as I take a midline position removing the conspiracies and political leanings from the facts.

Episode 6 - Lasting Change

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 21:08:27 +0000

- Change Personality Patterns

- Stages of Change

- Personal Story of Change

Episode 5 - Digital Entertainment Detox

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 03:57:25 +0000

Digital entertainment is everywhere (sometimes when we don't want it). When's the last time you went a day without digital entertainment? What about a Week? Find out how to Digital Detox and find out who you were before you had a smart phone.

Episode 4: Minimizing the Negative Effects of Gaming

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 23:30:37 +0000

Like anything else, gaming can be taken too far; however, there is a balance that can be struck, but are you willing to find what that balance is, and implement it? Find out what the negative effects of excessive gaming can be, and what can be done about it.

Episode 3 - Blizzard Entertainment Lawsuit

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Sun, 25 Jul 2021 23:32:51 +0000

1. Break down of lawsuit

2. Go over specific examples.

3. My take on the proceedings

Episode 2 - Saying Yes to Pain, and No to Pleasure

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Sun, 25 Jul 2021 00:11:21 +0000

Podcast Introduction

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Sun, 25 Jul 2021 00:04:41 +0000

Episode 1 - Gaming and The Pandemic

joshgarth4therapy@gmail.com (Joshua Garth, MA) — Sat, 24 Jul 2021 23:43:25 +0000

I review an article written right after the lockdown, and add commentary to it.