Show Notes

What changes in therapy when we take our clients' fandoms and special interests as seriously as the rest of their lived experiences?

Patrick Casale sits down with Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Art Therapist, and Geek Therapy educator Ariel Landrum to explore how fandoms, gaming, and special interests can create meaningful connections in therapy.

From Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones to challenging traditional ideas of professionalism, they discuss the importance of authenticity, cultural understanding, and meeting clients in the worlds that matter to them.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. Special interests can open the door to deeper conversations. Fandoms, fictional characters, and shared interests can help people explore emotions, relationships, identity, and difficult experiences.
2. Authenticity can make therapy more accessible. Rigid expectations of professionalism may create unnecessary barriers to trust, connection, and self-expression.
3. Therapists need to understand what matters to their clients. Geek culture and other personal interests deserve the same curiosity, respect, and cultural humility as any other meaningful part of someone's identity.

More about Ariel:

Ariel Landrum is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Art Therapist, Geek Therapy Certified, and PsyD student based in Los Angeles. She is the founder and Clinical Director of Guidance Teletherapy, where she provides affirming, culturally humble telehealth services for adults, and she specializes in trauma-informed, creative, and geek-informed care. Ariel is also a speaker, educator, and board member with the nonprofit Geek Therapy and a co-lead of the Great Los Angeles Chapter of Therapin*y, a nonprofit directory and community space for Filipino healers.

• Therapeutic + Applied Geek + Gaming Summit: taggs.geektherapy.org
• Geek Therapy Website: geektherapy.org
• Ariel's Book: amzn.to/3QNa1n7
• Instagram: instagram.com/airyell3000
• Guidance Teletherapy Website: guidancett.com

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The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

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Transcript

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