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Are you ready to unlock the transformative power of geek culture in therapy? Join us at the inaugural Geek Play Therapy Summit, where we're bringing together experts, practitioners, and enthusiasts worldwide to explore the intersection of geek culture and mental health.
The Geek Play Therapy Summit 2024 is an unprecedented online gathering hosted by A New Hope Therapy Center, aimed at professionals, enthusiasts, and advocates in the fields of psychology, therapy, and geek culture. This innovative summit offers a unique exploration of the intersection between play therapy techniques and the diverse realms of geek and pop culture.
With a focus on leveraging the power of play and the immersive, engaging elements of geek culture, this summit aims to foster a deeper understanding of how these two worlds intersect, providing a fertile ground for therapeutic interventions, personal development, and healing.
"In the heart of every geek resides a deep connection to the hero's journey. Geek therapy harnesses this narrative capacity, empowering individuals to discover their own resilience, triumph over adversity, and unveil the hero within."
— Jared Andes, LCSW, RPT, Owner of Full Spectrum Counseling
Why Attend The Geek Play Therapy Summit?
At the Geek Play Therapy Summit, you'll discover innovative approaches to therapy that harness the therapeutic potential of video games, comics, movies, and more. Whether you're a therapist looking to expand your toolkit, a gamer seeking deeper insights into your hobby, or simply someone who believes in the healing power of stories, this summit is for you.
For geeky therapists, this summit offers a chance to deepen your understanding of incorporating your passions into your practice, enriching your therapeutic approach and connecting with clients on a new level. But even if you don't consider yourself a "geek," the Geek Play Therapy Summit offers plenty! You'll learn how to leverage the universality of geek culture to engage clients, spark meaningful conversations, and promote healing in unexpected ways.
Through engaging workshops, insightful panels, and interactive discussions, you'll learn how to leverage your geeky interests to foster resilience, self-discovery, and personal growth. From exploring the hero's journey in gaming, to using comic book characters as archetypes for understanding the self, the Geek Play Therapy Summit offers a unique opportunity to delve into the rich tapestry of geek culture and its profound impact on mental well-being.
Don't miss out on this chance to connect with like-minded individuals, gain valuable insights, CE credits, and explore new frontiers in therapy. Join us at the Geek Play Therapy Summit and discover how embracing your inner geek can lead to profound healing and empowerment, regardless of your background or interests.
"Geek therapy and play therapy are like twin galaxies, each holding a universe of healing potential. In the playground of imagination and the realms of geekdom, we discover that healing is not just a journey, but an epic adventure waiting to unfold."
—Sophia Ansari, LPCC, RPT, owner of Let's Play Therapy Institute
Key Themes
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Play Therapy Techniques: Expert-led discussions and workshops on the application of play therapy methodologies in clinical practice.
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Geek Culture Integration: Exploring how elements of geek culture—such as gaming, comics, fantasy, sci-fi, and more—can be incorporated into therapeutic approaches.
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Empowerment through Passion: Understanding how embracing one's passions within geek culture can be a vehicle for self-expression, identity exploration, and healing.
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Diversity and Inclusivity: Addressing the importance of inclusivity and diversity within both the realms of therapy and geek culture, emphasizing representation and acceptance.
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Innovation and Research: Showcasing cutting-edge research, case studies, and innovative techniques that blend play therapy with geek culture.
“We look for characters in media who we see ourselves in, and our expressions of fandom can be healing."
— Dr. Drea Letamendi, Marvel's 616 on Disney+
Who Should Attend?
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Psychologists, therapists, counselors, and mental health professionals
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Educators, researchers, and students interested in psychology, therapy, and geek culture
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Advocates, enthusiasts, and influencers within geek culture communities
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Individuals seeking innovative approaches to therapy or personal growth
"Geek play therapy bridges the worlds of fantasy and reality, teaching us that the heroes we admire in stories can inspire resilience and courage in our own lives. It's a testament to geek culture's power as a healing and empowerment tool."
— Ariel Landrum, LMFT, ATR
Clinical Director of Guidance Teletherapy Family Counseling Inc.
Details
Dates: May 3rd and 4th 2024
Location: Online Zoom Training (live) or online on-demand
Daily Schedule (MDT Time Zone): Click on titles for more information
Friday, May 3rd
8:45
Welcome/Sign In
9:00 - 10:30
Raiders of the Lost Art: Lessons in Play Therapy from Indiana Jones with Jared Andes, LCSW, RPT
10:45 - 12:15
EmpowerHer: Feminist Theory, Play Therapy and the Evolution of the Disney Princess with Jessica Cauthorne, LCSW, RPT
12:15 - 1:00
Break for Lunch
1:30 - 3:00
Dungeons and Dragons and Adlerian Play Therapy, Oh, My! with Erika Walker, LSCSW, RPT-S
3:15 - 4:30
Geeking Out With Neurodivergent Clients In Play Therapy with Val Bruno, LPC, RPT-S
8:45
Check in/Sign in on Zoom
9:00 - 10:30
Board Games in Play Therapy: Metaphors, Directives and Experiential Play Board Games, Metaphors and Play Therapy! with April Lewis-Ramirez, M.S., LPCC, RPT
10:45 - 12:15
Utilizing Pop Culture in Play Therapy Settings with Jennifer Shivey MA, LPC, RPT-S, ACS
12:15 - 1:00
Break for Lunch
1:30 - 3:00
Cozy Gaming as Self-Care for the Play Therapist with Ariel Landrum, LMFT
3:15 - 4:30
Jedi Mind Tricks: Integrating Play Therapy with Star Wars Narratives with Maria Laquerre-Diego, LMFT, RPT-S
*Click on titles for more information.
Saturday 4th May
*Presenters and topics may be subject to change
“The more we understand human nature and behavior, the more we recognize human complexities. The emergence of multiple innovative theories and approaches to assist in navigating the human condition is necessary in meeting the diverse needs of human beings."
- Rachel Altvater, Psy.D., RPT-S
About Your Summit Host
A self-described geek, Maria Laquerre Diego, LMFT, RPT-S is a therapist turned CEO. In addition to supporting mental health providers, Maria takes an active role in addressing the continued stigma of mental health services through the use of pop culture – everything from movies and television shows to superheroes and Disney characters.
Maria has spoken about mental health at several local events, has served as an officer on professional boards, and has provided training to clinicians all over the country.
Tickets
Jedi CE Master Pass
$175 Single Day Pass
$250 Both Days
What’s included -
✓ 6 CE Credits per day*
✓ Have access to learn and ask experts questions in a live, interactive training environment
✓ 6 months on-demand online access to presentation recordings from the summit - watch or review at a time and time zone convenient to you**
✓ Access to exclusive offers from summit sponsors, partners, and presenters
Padawan
Student Pass
$80 Single Day Pass
$120 Both Days
What’s included -
✓ 6 CE Credits per day*
✓ Have access to learn and ask experts questions in a live, interactive training environment
✓ 6 months on-demand online access to presentation recordings from the summit**
✓ Access to exclusive offers from summit sponsors, partners, and presenters
Rebel Alliance Pass (no CEs)
$75 Single Day Pass
$125 Both Days
What’s included -
✓ Have access to learn and ask experts questions in a live, interactive training environment
✓ 6 months on-demand online access to presentation recordings from the summit**
✓ Access to exclusive offers from summit sponsors, partners, and presenters
CE/CPD certificates are not available with this ticket.
*Pricing includes CE certificate. Please note that you are only eligible for CEs for the workshops you attend, live or on-demand, and APT CEs require completion of a post-test for both live webinars and recorded trainings. A New Hope Therapy Center is an Approved Provider for the Association for Play Therapy (APT) - Approved Provider 20-631 and Maria Laquerre-Diego is an Approved Provider for the NM Counseling and Therapy Practice Board CCE020981. Please check with your state or other licensing board regarding their acceptance of these CEs.
**The link to recordings will be available approximately 48 hours after the summit concludes and will be emailed to all ticket holders..There will not be an option to download the videos but they will reside on our servers so you can watch anytime within the 6 month window. You’ll need an internet connection.
Please note: If you attend the summit live, it is required that you have your video on and are actively participating to earn the offered contact CEs. Please do not engage in other activities while in this training including driving, driving through for that coffee fix, or rearranging your closet - this training requires your attention and engagement. Please be aware that the summit will be recorded. You will receive an email with the Zoom link and any handouts the day before the training.
Please contact Maria at maria@anewhopetc.org if you have questions or need assistance!
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