As you might have noticed, I am passionate about all aspects of geek culture. As a lifelong geek, I have observed that society has misunderstood and marginalised many people who share these passions. 

In my opinion, geek culture holds a wealth of stories akin to the mythologies of human history. We should not overlook its significant impact on modern culture. Instead of condemning this medium, we should embrace its teachings and character arcs to gain a better understanding of mental health. I am passionate about helping other therapists learn about geek culture and how the plethora of stories, anecdotes, and symbolisms contained within them can aid in better understanding their clients and building stronger therapeutic bonds.

It all started with a little boy and his NES (Nintendo Entertainment System)

I grew up during the time when the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was popular, and I have fond memories of playing classic games like Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Mega Man and Final Fantasy. Although these games may look like simple pixels on the screen, they had the power to transport me into mythical and magical worlds that no other medium could provide. Even today, I believe that video games contain some of the greatest stories ever written, and their interactive nature can offer a unique and insightful understanding of mental health. If given the opportunity, we can explore and delve deeper into the representations of trauma, loss, resilience and many other themes that these games can offer. We can deep dive into representations of trauma, loss, resilience, etc. The same can be said about comic books, movies, TV shows, D&D, Anime/Manga, and so many other forms of geek culture. 

During my school days, I never thought that my love for geek culture and my enthusiasm for helping others could blend together. However, my perspective changed after watching a documentary on the History Channel called "Comic Book Superheroes Unmasked.” The show talked about Dr. Frederic Wertham, whose research on delinquent youths in the late 1940s and subsequent book in 1954, "Seduction of the Innocent,” led to the formation of the Comics Code Authority. I believe fictional characters can be positive role models, and their character arcs can significantly impact people's lives. With the help of a supportive academic supervisor, I began to study the positive effects of fictional characters during my undergraduate degree, graduate degree and even through my post-doctorate years.

I graduated with my undergraduate degree in 2010 and obtained my Clinical Psychology Doctorate in 2018 from the Université de Moncton. As a fan of geek culture, my doctoral thesis explored how parasocial relationships can influence people's willingness to act in a prosocial manner. I have been a Licensed Psychologist with the College of Psychologists of New Brunswick (CPNB) since 2021, and I am also a member of the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA).

Throughout my career, I have gained over 9000 hours of clinical experience in diverse settings, including community mental health, hospitals, corrections, and private practice.