What is Geek Therapy?
Geek Therapy, in many ways, is just like regular therapy. Evidenced-based approaches (like Acceptance & Commitment Therapy or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) are used through exploring your own interests.
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We all learn and grow better by good examples that make sense to us and by content that's engaging. And that's what Geek Therapy does. It tailors counseling concepts to your already-existing hobbies. Your own interests become the primary tool in self-examination, skill building, or goal setting.
what mediums are
used in
Geek Therapy?
Fandoms
It sounds broad, and it's because it is. Any interest can be explored therapeutically depending on your overall goals for therapy. Our fandoms are full to the brim of stories of overcoming, growing in confidence, problem solving, surviving tragedies, etc. Your fandoms can be related to your favorite movies, TV shows, comic books, anime, video games, or thematic interests such as sci-fi or gothic horror.
Video Games
Video games are one of my favorite misunderstood pastimes. Video games teach problem-solving skills, spark creativity, and help build resilience in the face of challenges. They also teach us valuable lessons on goal-setting, while being fun and immersive. Therapeutic gaming (either individually or in a therapeutic group) can help us examine those advantages just mentioned. By identifying goals for your own life, we can use those lessons in therapeutic gaming to transfer those skills into everyday situations.
Tabletop
Role-Play
Games
Yes, we are talking Dungeons & Dragons as well as many other TTRPGs that exist and are beloved by millions. Role-playing games offer the unique experience of indirectly challenging oneself by playing another character. Evidence shows that role-playing games can be used effectively to help with social anxiety, self-esteem, problem solving, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, amongst other skills. These games can allow individuals to process potentially hard topics without actively experiencing the hardship and can increase feelings of self-efficacy through growth within the story.