Geek Therapy in Crisis Settings

About this Event

This learning module will equip participants with the foundational knowledge and skills to understand the core elements of a mental health crisis, enabling them to define and recognize such situations. Participants will learn how to integrate elements of geek culture as an effective tool for building rapport with individuals in crisis, aiding in the reduction of symptoms and returning them to baseline. Additionally, the course will provide a basic introduction to using Tabletop Role-Playing Games (TTRPGs) as a crisis intervention strategy, teaching methods that enhance rapport, ensure safety, and foster the development of skills and supportive factors during crisis resolution.

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.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to understand a basic definition and elements of a mental health crisis.
• Participants will be able to identify elements of geek culture that can be used in the resolution of crisis symptoms by building rapport and returning symptoms to baseline.
• Participants will gain a basic grasp of using Table Top Role Playing Games as a crisis intervention including methods to increase rapport, support safety, and develop skills and supportive factors.

Course Instructor:

John Stinebaugh began counseling in 2007. Before living and working in Wyoming John has worked in public education and community mental health in rural Kansas and Colorado, providing a wide array of services to children and their families. John is also a clinical fellow with the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy and was a graduate of its inaugural Leadership Cohort in 2017. John completed his bachelor’s degree in Human Development from Ambridge University in 2009 and his master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2012. John was honorably discharged from the United States Marines in 2007. In the office, you can find him providing guidance and support to councilors and supervisors, developing businesses, or training leaders to improve their skills and communities. He may even be doing a session with his therapy dog Huxley, or playing games as a Certified Geek Therapist.

Sara Mercier-Kennedy B.S./B.A., M.S. Clinical Mental Health Intern 

Graduated from Colorado State University with a double Bachelor’s in Psychology and Sociology, where I focused on Gender Identity formation, and LGBTQIA+ issues.  Specifically, those in relation to the Transgender population and access to health-care and mental health counseling by knowledgeable counseling professionals and doctors.  I then went on to my Master’s at Walden University where I continued this track and become actively involved in the ACA’s ALGBTIC division and served on the committee for making language in documentation more accessible and gender neutral.  I picked up a specialization in Crisis & Trauma after working for Hospice and volunteering at the local LGBT centers around my hometown and university.  Eventually I made my way to Florida from Colorado.  Gamer/Neet/Anime Weeb and all around enjoyer of life’s little self-care routines.

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.