Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariel Landrum.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up in a military family, constantly on the move, I faced unique challenges, including navigating a learning disability. My early experiences with a school counselor, who used art and play in our sessions, profoundly shaped my career path. I pursued Art Therapy and Marriage and Family Therapy, determined to blend these creative modalities into my practice. My journey wasn’t easy, juggling multiple jobs during unpaid internships and facing unsupportive supervisors. These hurdles, though, led me to meaningful connections in the field. Now, as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Certified Art Therapist, I’ve founded Guidance Teletherapy, a co-op that champions inclusive, culturally competent care. My role as a Geek Therapist and my work with the Geek Therapy community reflect my commitment to integrating clients’ passions into therapy and making mental health care more accessible and relatable.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road was rough, to say the least. I faced challenges like navigating unpaid internships, managing financial hardships, and encountering unsupportive supervisors. These experiences, however, led me to invaluable colleagues and opportunities for growth, shaping my approach to therapy and my commitment to creating a supportive community within my practice.
Facing the emotional challenges of working with vulnerable populations, I embraced a multifaceted self-care and professional development approach. Engaging in personal therapy, weekly supervision, and peer consultation, alongside nurturing my interests and hobbies, such as video games, art, and cooking, helped me maintain a well-rounded identity beyond my role as a therapist. Emotionally, I anchored myself in the belief of my resilience, allowing space for my feelings through art and journaling and practicing acceptance over things I could not change. This holistic strategy fortified my emotional resilience and underscored the importance of self-care in sustaining effective therapeutic practice.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My clinical practice is deeply intertwined with Geek Therapy, which uses clients’ passions and fandoms in therapeutic settings. I’m deeply involved in expanding the field of Geek Therapy as a modality in various areas of my life. Geek Therapy is not only a treatment model but also a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization where I am a board member. I have also expanded my role to include Education Administrator, focusing on credentialing for continuing education for mental health providers. It has been a blessing to combine this passion with my academic life, as my doctoral research focuses on Geek Therapy to solidify its efficacy and applications. I am also a professor at Phillips Graduate Institute of Campbellsville, Los Angeles, where I can introduce future therapists to Geek Therapy as part of a developmentally appropriate, inclusive practice.
My vision includes elevating Guidance Teletherapy, my coop, and private practice. At Guidance Teletherapy, we offer culturally competent, inclusive care. Our work emphasizes advocating for gender-affirming treatments and addressing eco-anxiety, reflecting the current societal needs. The future of Guidance Teletherapy includes expanding the number of Coop members, services, and reach throughout the US. In order to accomplish this goal, I have returned to school to become a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. This will allow us to include testing and evaluation in our work.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memories are camping with my dad in the lush forests of Washington State, Guam’s serene beaches, and the expansive California desert. These moments, rich with the beauty of nature and the warmth of family, have become even more precious following my dad’s passing.
Reflecting on camping with my dad brings back a tapestry of cherished moments. From the simplicity of sharing a can of corned beef hash—his signature campsite meal—to hiking in Washington, seeking out the perfect stick to serve as a hiking companion, each memory is a treasure. We explored old forts, playing hide and seek among the shadows, and in Guam, the beach was our playground, where the sand offered up shells and rocks as souvenirs. The desert became another backdrop for adventure in California, collecting unique stones and basking in the vast openness. These experiences, deeply woven with the love and companionship of my dad, are my sanctuary, especially now as I navigate the journey of my grief since his passing.
Now, if I wake up early, with a warm-up of coffee in hand, the early morning dew becomes reminiscent of those camping days as a gentle reminder of him and our shared joy. It’s been a year since we lost him, and in his honor, I created a grief journal to help others navigate their grief. The journal is titled “Waves of Grief: A Guided Grief Journal,” its creation and use have helped me mourn. I do hope it can help others navigate the ways of grief.
Contact Info:
- Website: Guidance Teletherapy: https://www.guidancett.com/
Nonprofit Geek Therapy: https://geektherapy.org/ - Instagram: My Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/happiestpodgt/
My Business: https://www.instagram.com/guidanceteletherapy/ - Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/airyell3000/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Geektherapy
- Other: Grief journal: https://amzn.to/49LNj3b
