Trickster or Treat: A Therapist’s Look at Loki

About This Event

Throughout the MCU, viewers can see some clear patterns emerge in the characters: Captain America always does what’s right, Hawkeye never misses a shot, Hulk always smashes something, etc. Why is it, then, that Loki always loses? This training will take a deep look at the character of Loki and explore his upbringing, patterns of behavior, and journey of personal growth within the MCU, including his story within the hit Disney+ show, “Loki.” Through the character of Loki, we will explore self-sabotaging behaviors, narcissism, trust-building, and trauma, and discuss how these aspects of Loki can be used to facilitate therapeutic discussions with people who similarly struggle.

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

1. Describe the diagnostic criteria and symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder.
2. Identify the definition of self-sabotage through a psychological lens, and analyze why someone may choose to engage in those behaviors.
3. Identify three roles that trauma plays in the character of Loki and how to bring it into a therapeutic setting.

Course Instructor

Matt Fellows is a psychotherapist and published author from the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from North Dakota State University and a masters degree in counseling psychology from the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis. He has been academically and professionally involved with the integration of geek culture and psychology since 2012, and has a passion for finding therapeutic bridges between geek culture and populations that often require unique or specialized approaches in treatment. Professionally, Matt has worked with LGBT+ substance abuse clients, individuals with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and co-morbid serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI), and currently works with clients who have been civilly committed for sexual offenses. His author credits include a chapter in the 2020 clinician’s guide “Integrating Geek Culture Into Therapeutic Practice: The Clinician’s Guide To Geek Therapy”. Matt’s professional geek therapy interests include the Marvel Cinematic Universe and comics, Dungeons & Dragons, Avatar: The Last Airbender, video games, and all things Star Wars. He has a soft-spot for comic book villains and firmly believes that the Dark Side of the Force has cooler powers than the Light Side.

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.