In this episode, Miranda interviews Kailah Tuttle, LPC, a certified geek therapist, about the innovative field of geek therapy. They discuss how incorporating elements of geek culture, such as anime, video games, roleplaying games, and superheroes, can enhance therapeutic practices.
Kayla shares her experiences with therapeutic Dungeon Master training and how geek therapy helps clients connect with their passions, process experiences, and learn skills through relatable characters and stories. They also touch on the importance of play and staying connected to one's inner child.
Whether you're a therapist looking to expand your toolkit or simply interested in the intersection of mental health and geek culture, this episode offers a fascinating insight into an emerging approach to therapy.
OUR HOST:
Miranda Barker, MSW, LICSW, has been practicing as a therapist for several years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, case manager, and the Director of Brand Content at Ellie Mental Health. Follow her on LinkedIn.
The Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by Ellie Mental Health. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.
Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and has expanded to an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:25 Diving into Geek Therapy
02:00 Therapeutic Dungeon Master Training
02:41 Play Therapy and Geek Therapy
04:36 Certification and Competency in Geek Therapy
07:27 Practical Applications of Geek Therapy
08:29 Therapeutic Dungeons and Dragons
15:59 Finding Your Niche as a Therapist
19:13 Exploring Art and Geek Therapy
19:24 Narrative Therapy and Superhero Stories
20:09 Creative Activities in Therapy
21:35 Geek Therapy in Practice
22:29 Integrating Geek Culture in Talk Therapy
23:54 Building Rapport Through Shared Interests
28:06 Geek Therapy as a Therapeutic Lens
31:02 Practical Interventions and Techniques
33:58 Connecting with the Inner Child
35:10 Final Thoughts and Resources
