What is Psychology for Geeks?
I loved the idea of incorporating the things that I geek out about into the therapy session so I decided to create this website, social media, and youtube channel.
There are many therapists out there who call themselves geek therapists, nerd therapists, or something along those lines. More often than not they are using elements of geek culture in their sessions. For example, a therapist may be using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in the session and they can use examples from movies or shows as a way to explain psychological concepts. In this way, it may be easier and more interesting for a geek client to learn and participate in the session.
Movies, games, anime, manga, cosplay, etc. are just another tool mental health providers can use in the therapy session. There are many of us who identify as a geek or belong to a geeky community where we feel comfortable so why not use it in the therapy session?
On this website and the social media attached you can find information about mental health which incorporates elements of geek culture to increase and facilitate our understanding of psychology. I aim to help reduce the stigma placed on mental health and the geek community.
I want to create a safe space for anyone who identifies as part of geek culture to learn and discuss mental health. I often use the movies, shows, video games, TTRPGs, cosplay, and any other element of geek culture to help explain a psychological concept or type of therapy. For example, I have used Marvel Studios TV shows to explain Exposure Therapy and episodes from the Japanese anime Boruto to explain how using ACT can help reduce anxiety.
Check out some of my other blogs and YouTube videos to learn more!
What is geek culture?
The word “geek” was originally used to describe someone who was not part of mainstream culture, someone different, someone eccentric.
Nowadays it's a way of life. There are many of us who identify as geeks. We live enjoying the things we love without any regrets.
Geek culture helped me form strong friendships, become comfortable with who I am, feel accepted, and give me a sense of belonging.
Don’t understand geek culture? Ask us. We would enjoy talking about the things we love.
--Geek and proud.
What does a Geek Therapist do?
Geek /Nerd Therapists are trained professionals that provide a wide variety of mental health services. Geek therapists use evidence-based practices, meaning they use techniques that have been scientifically proven (via extensive research) to be effective. Keep in mind that therapists also use their expertise to modify techniques to make them culturally appropriate for each client.
Geek therapists bring your fandoms into the therapy session.
Disclaimer:
Even when therapists are playing games they are still doing therapy, it just may not feel like it.
Just because a mental health provider is a geek doesn’t mean that they always do geek therapy. You can always request to do a more traditional type of therapy if that is what you prefer.
Self-Care is different for Everyone
Self-care for geeks may look a little different than what is traditionally thought of as self-care. For some of us, self-care is more than walks outside, relaxing baths, a great meal, a restful nap, etc.
Sometimes self-care means…
Creating a new D&D campaign, painting a mini, DIY terrain pieces, designing new characters, buying a new set of dice, making new maps, etc.
Watching a new show or anime, listening to podcasts or reading blogs that review the movies, getting some, writing some fanfiction/fanart after the movie or season ends, etc.
Researching a new character to cosplay, updating older cosplays, designing and creating new pieces for the cosplay, visiting various stores, going to YouTube university to figure out how to make something, etc.
Getting a new video game, finding a new group of peeps to play with, getting that awesome headset you have been wanting, obtaining new items, researching new setups, exploring the storyline, customizing your characters, etc.
Self-care may look different for everyone. It is about time we stop saying phrases like ‘video games can’t help you,’ ‘why do you play D&D?’ ‘grow up and stop watching cartoons,’ or ‘just be yourself, why do you pretend to be a fictional character?’
Free Therapy Tips & Resources on Social Media for Geeks
I created a social media series, that was supposed to last like a week and give me enough post material for a week and now it has evolved into a permanent series on my social media/website.
The Reframe and Re-enchant Series is a series on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & TikTok). The series aims to provide real information about health to fight the stigma and false information floating out there (reframe). A second goal is to provide ideas on fun ways to incorporate the geeky things we love into our daily schedule to make life fun and something we look forward to (re-enchant). The third goal is to assist professionals and organizations in promoting projects to the public.
Follow @psych4geeks for weekly posts for this series. You can also follow the #reframeandreenchant to view the posts. New posts will be published every Sunday and Monday for as long as I can make it possible.
I created this series because I believe that mental health providers, in general, need to be more visible on social media to dispel any misconceptions about therapy.
If you are a health professional (doctor, dentist, nurse, physical therapist, trainer, mental health provider, etc) and would like to collaborate, send me an email or a message and we can brainstorm together. There are no hidden fees! I only ask that we geek out and combat stigma together. Feel free to reach out via social media or email.
Geeky Non-Profits
Geek out, reach out and help out for your mental health.
I’m all about collaboration (because I can’t do it all and why reinvent the wheel when someone else is doing a fantastic job!), so I decided to compile a list of great non-profit organizations that offer mental health resources, a safe and supportive community, training/education, and a way for all of us to geek out…
The list is not in any particular order and you’ll have to check them out to see what amazing things they offer (hey I already compiled the list for you!).
geektherapy.org
animeforhumanity.org
youarerad.org
stackup.org
geeksout.org
tabletopgaymers.org
ablegamers.org
magicwheelchair.org
CASTT-Gamers
diverselygeek.org
guardiansmh.org
thebodhanagroup.org
gametogrow.org
fandomforward.org
gwecontact.org
takethis.org
So there you go. This list is by no means complete I will try to update it as I find more. If you would like me to add an organization to this list shoot me an email or DM on social media and I will try to update it.
