Being a Geek and a Therapist

So, surprise surprise, I am a geek. No, wait, I am more than that. I am a SUPER-GEEK!

My homemade journal...
I love many things that are considered "geeky." I've been a band geek, a choir geek, an academic decathlete, an honor student, a scout (when scouting was really NOT cool), a camp counselor, and a goody-goody. I love anything Disney, Star Wars (of course), Firefly, Wonderfalls, Pushing Daisies, Gilmore Girls, board games, Star Trek (to a lesser extent than Star Wars), anything by Joss Whedon, The Thrilling Adventure Hour, NPR, and lots of other things. I haven't, however, been a Whovian. (Sorry about that, Dr. Who fans! I just can't get into it!)

I love all things geeky, and I think this has improved my work with adolescents.

(By the way, I was Star Wars Queen at camp for kids with autism two years running!)

I know things about strange and obscure geeky things that no person has any business to know. My students seem to respond well when I can recognize the things that they are speaking about - especially when I can join into their perseveration and do so. It seems to be a way to make a connection where there are no other paths. I love the moment of surprise that my students display when I can sing along to the theme song from Follow That Bird or when I can argue about which Jedi fighting style is the most effective when facing any common bad guy. With the knowledge of all things geek, I use it to pull my students into music therapy treatment.

Being a geek myself means that I understand the some of the obsessive nature of my clients. I know what it's like to love something and not have anyone understand why you love it. There are times when you just want to talk about the episode that you just experienced BUT THERE IS NO ONE WHO KNOWS WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT! No wonder my kids have times when they are bursting with excitement about the Power Rangers or Clone Wars. I often feel that way as well.

I think that it's time to watch Firefly again and sink into the bliss that is my particular brand of geekiness. It will be happening.

Be a geek - however you want to be a geek - and go out there and relate!!

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