FAQ
Our mission is clear: to make vital mental health support accessible. Below are answers to the most common questions about how Mind Forge operates.
Who is Mind Forge designed to help?
We primarily serve youth and adults who face barriers to accessing traditional mental health care, often due to cost, stigma, or difficulty engaging with clinical settings. We are especially effective for individuals who are neurodivergent or experience anxiety, social isolation, or executive function challenges.
How does this connect to real-world skills?
Through roleplay (D&D), digital collaboration (Minecraft), design (LEGO), and focus (Miniature Painting), participants rehearse skills like conflict resolution, impulse control, sustained attention, and empathy. These learned behaviors are then discussed, reinforced, and practiced for use in their daily lives.
Why are your programs free or so low-cost?
Mind Forge is established as a not-for-profit organization (actively seeking charity status). Our primary funding comes from government grants (federal and provincial) and private donations, not client fees. This model allows us to subsidize the true cost of professional care, making it accessible to those who need it most.
Can I receive a tax receipt for my donation?
Yes. Once our Registered Charity status is confirmed by the CRA, all donations will receive an official tax receipt. We rely heavily on community support to maintain our low-cost structure.
What are your safety protocols for staff working with minors?
All Mind Forge staff, facilitators, and volunteers who interact directly with participants are required to provide a clear Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) before beginning any program delivery. For some short term volunteers and students who cannot complete one in time they will be under direct supervision by a senior member of staff who has completed a VSC
Who designs and supervises the curriculum?
Our therapeutic curriculum is designed and professionally supervised by Psychotherapists to ensure all activities are clinically sound, ethical, and aligned with evidence-based practices.
How can we partner with Mind Forge (e.g., as a school/LGS)?
Our most common partnerships involve a formal agreement where we provide customized programming (in-class or after-school) in exchange for a modest fee or a guaranteed rental agreement for space. Visit our Partnering with Schools page for details on how we align with educational goals.
Are you competing with for-profit D&D clubs?
No. We are legally structured as a not-for-profit delivering a medical/therapeutic service for community benefit, not shareholder profit. We are serving a high-need demographic that often cannot afford the premium rates of for-profit therapeutic programs.
What is the ratio for your classes?
We offer a low ratio of 1 facilitator to 3-5 youths.
Is your programming ABA therapy?
We focus on empowering individuals through their natural strengths, using therapeutic approaches to support social and executive skills. Our methodology is intentionally non-behavioral, meaning we do not use compliance-based models like ABA or IBI.
Do you have supports for parents?
Yes! As part of the Mind Forge family, you’ll have access to our private online community. It’s a supportive space designed for parents to ask questions, share resources, and collaborate with our team and other families as we navigate this journey together.
Why can't I just sign up?
Because our programs are therapeutic and highly specialized, we move away from a "first-come, first-served" model. We use an intake and waitlist process to ensure that we are creating the best possible environment for every participant. This allows our clinical team to thoughtfully match individuals into groups where they will thrive and to prioritize those who may have the most urgent need for our specific strength-based support.
Our last session was free, why do we have to pay now?
While we actively pursue grants and donations to keep our programs accessible, these funds do not always cover the full cost of serving our growing community. The fees we charge are dedicated entirely to providing fair compensation for our specialized facilitators, clinical experts, and Dungeon Masters or to help pay for promotions. As a non-profit initiative, 100% of these funds go directly back into the program and our staff.