From Fairy Fostering to Evil Stepmothers: Non-Traditional Family Dynamic

Stories have been used for healing and learning for centuries and the therapeutic benefit of storytelling is well documented. Disney provides a unique opportunity for children to step into familiar narratives with beloved characters and rewrite their own experiences to foster learning, healing, and personal growth. In this training, participants will learn about the expansive world of Disney the benefits of therapeutic storytelling, and strategies for translating fanfiction into intervention in the play therapy room for use with clients today!

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will be able to articulate a comprehensive understanding of family systems, dynamics, and shifting roles in response to separation and divorce, integrating relevant theories and empirical research within the context of clinical practice.

2. Participants will demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of parental alienation, the evolving parent-child relationships in families facing separation and/or divorce, the developmental impact of such loss on children, and the significance of fortifying existing attachment relationships within affected families.

3. Participants will analyze and apply their understanding of family dynamics and models within the Disney film Coco to recognize and address specialized issues encountered by families undergoing separation, divorce, and parent loss, considering the film’s representation as a tool for therapeutic discussions.

4. Participants will be proficient in identifying and implementing play therapy interventions that leverage characters, themes, and narratives present in Disney’s Coco, specifically designed to harness the therapeutic power of play for enhancing the mental health and overall well-being of children, adolescents, adults, and families affected by separation, divorce, and parent loss.

Course Instructor:

Rebecca O’Neill is a licensed clinical social worker/developmental therapist in private practice in Leesburg and Reston, Virginia. Rebecca is a passionate advocate for neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based approaches to therapy with individuals, groups, and families. As a DIR/Floortime, certified Autplay Play Therapist, and certified therapeutic game master and geek therapist, Rebecca provides neurodivergent children and their families with effective, holistic, and accessible intervention that supports development while honoring individual differences, passions, and needs.

Rebecca holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Simmons University in Boston, Ma, and a Certificate in Early Intervention From Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. In addition to her clinical work, Rebecca provides extensive training to parents and professionals in autism and disability inclusion in education, developmental approaches to parenting and teaching, mindfulness, and child development. In her spare time, you can find Rebecca gaming, playing D&D with her family, reading, painting, or enjoying time with her kids and husband.

Disability Accommodations

It is the responsibility of the Individual to contact Geek Therapeutics to request disability accommodations at Hello@geektherapeutics.com.   

Geek Therapeutics is committed to helping each student reach his/her academic potential and to providing every student equal opportunity to participate in and engage with the course.  In keeping with this commitment, effort has been made to develop accessible learning materials that provide equal access.  Please contact Geek Therapeutics immediately if access to course materials is restricted due to a disability so the issue(s) can be resolved in a timely manner.

Continuing Education Credits:

Psychologists: Geek Therapeutics is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Geek Therapeutics maintains responsibility for this program and its content

Counselors: Geek Therapeutics has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7042. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Geek Therapeutics is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Social Workers: Geek Therapeutics, #1769, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Geek Therapeutics maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 05/19/2022 – 05/19/2025. Social workers completing this course receive 1 continuing education credits.

Play Therapists:  Geek Therapeutics has been approved by APT as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, No. 21-649. Programs that do not qualify for APT credit are clearly identified. Geek Therapeutics is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Other Professions: This activity qualifies for the specified number of hours of instructional content as required by many licensing boards and professional organizations. Save your course outline and certificate of completion, and contact your board or organization for specific requirements. Completion of the course(s) with a post-test score of 80% or better is required to receive continuing education credit; there is no partial credit.