Colleague Down the Hall

Feb 20 2025 35 mins

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Jeanene Wolfe welcomes Ariel Landrum to discuss how geek therapy integrates clients' passions and fandoms into therapy, using media consumption as a tool for self-discovery. The conversation explores the use of RPGs, video games, and collaborative media engagement in therapy, alongside practical applications for different age groups and theoretical approaches. Ariel highlights the importance of staying current with pop culture, addressing parental concerns about video games, and teaching digital citizenship. Ethical considerations in online therapy, including HIPAA compliance and safe digital interactions, are also discussed. Looking ahead, Ariel sees geek therapy expanding alongside media psychology and specialized therapeutic approaches. The episode closes with reflections on individualized therapy and Ariel’s insight that media is a powerful tool for learning about oneself and the world.

“A lot of clients who are neurodivergent, they really love their clinicians who are geek therapy certified, or at least have that mindset, because we're pulling from their passions and interests, their special interests. And when it comes to the actual treatment, it's in my intake form asking, what are your favorite media forms? What do you like to engage in? How often do you engage in it? And then that goes in with my diagnosing. So have you been pulling away from these favorite things? Hint that could be depression. Are you afraid of telling people about your favorite things? Hint that could be anxiety or social phobia. So already it's so integrated in the way that I'm conceptualizing a case, I don't separate it out as a different treatment or something to refer specifically. It is how I am integrating the whole assessment treatment process.” - Ariel Landrum

In this episode, let’s talk about:

***Introduction to Geek Therapy – Explanation of geek therapy as a certification, using clients’ passions and fandoms in therapy.

***Origins and Growth of Geek Therapy – The founding of geek therapy by Jose Cardona and its expansion, including the TAGGS summit.

***Applications of Geek Therapy in Therapy Sessions – Use of RPGs, video games, and other media to support therapeutic goals.

***Staying Current with Pop Culture in Therapy – Challenges therapists face in keeping up with evolving media and how to engage clients effectively.

***Addressing Parental Concerns About Video Games – Helping parents understand their children’s online activities and use it as an additional way to connect with their child.

***Ethical Considerations and Digital Citizenship – Ensuring online therapy security, HIPAA compliance, and teaching safe online interactions.

About Ariel Landrum:

Ariel Landrum, LMFT, ATR, is a narrative therapist certified in Geek Therapy® and co-host of the podcast Happiest Pod on Earth, which explores Disney mediums as tools for therapy and education. Ariel aids her clients in reframing their stories around trauma, belonging, and identity. She works with survivors of childhood sexual abuse, the AANHPI community, the LGBTQIA+ community, and military families. Ariel specializes in telehealth services and has been providing virtual therapy since 2016. She is also the author of Waves of Grief: A Guided Grief Journal, to help fellow grievers navigate their complex feelings of loss. Based in Los Angeles, Ariel is actively involved in supporting the Filipino American community through mental health initiatives, including serving as co-lead of The Greater Los Angeles Chapter of Therapin*y . Outside of work, Ariel enjoys exploring new games, discovering new food spots, and travel.

Connect with Ariel:

Websites:

https://geektherapy.org/

https://taggs.geektherapy.org/

https://www.guidancett.com/

Geek Therapy:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geektherapy/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GeekTherapy

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GeekTherapy

People of Con:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peopleofcon/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/PeopleOfCon