Using Manga, Kpop, and other East Asian Media in Play Therapy to Explore Gender Identity and Expression
Part of the 2026 Geek Play Therapy Summit
East Asian media has become increasingly influential for children, adolescents, and adults worldwide, particularly with the global rise of K-pop groups such as BTS, as well as hybrid media projects like K-Pop Demon Hunters, which blend music, animation, fantasy, and hero narratives.
These media forms offer rich, symbolic material that can be incorporated into play therapy to explore themes of identity, transformation, belonging, and self-expression.
Welcome! About This Training...
Webinar video
Handouts
Post-Test
Quest Complete! Guide Our Next Mission...
Participants will be able to tell the difference between different types of East Asian media and feel confident with the terms of art used in these media forms.
Participants will be able to identify at least one example of gender expression in each category of media presented that goes against traditional gender role presentation that can be used with clients.
Use animated and fandom-based metaphors to facilitate client insight, emotional safety, and engagement in play therapy sessions.
All sales of recorded training sessions are final. Once purchased, there are no refunds or returns available. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to providing you with valuable content and insights through our recorded sessions.
This recorded training offers 1.5 non-contact Continued Education credits. To earn your CE certificate you will need to complete the post test with at least an 80%. A New Hope Therapy Center, our sister organization and partner for trainings and workshops, is an Approved CE Provider for the Association for Play Therapy™ (APT™) - Approved Provider. Furthermore, A New Hope Academy has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7816. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. A New Hope Academy is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Please check with your state or other licensing board regarding their acceptance of these CEs.
Upon purchase, you'll have 30 days of access to recordings, handouts, and post-tests. Access extension requests must be made before expiration.
“I really valued the presenter's breakdown of key definitions. I have clients interested in these media forms but it felt like so much to learn — she broke it down in a way that finally made it click. I feel a lot more clued in and knowledgeable.”
“I loved all of the case examples, the discussion of the video examples, and the enthusiastic passion that the presenter showed.”
“I loved the use of manga, K-pop, and various East Asian media to explore gender identity. Being able to utilize clips from TV series, music, and Manga are brilliant ways for our clients to feel seen and like they aren't alone. Representation is so important!”
“I was not aware of how much influence K-pop has on the younger generation. The statistics helped me understand why so many of my clients become emotional when discussing these bands.”
“I didn't know much about this genre but it comes up frequently with my clients — this was a super helpful way for me to gain a basic understanding.”
If you liked this, you'll love these from our catalogue of play therapy trainings!
Learn how to translate this fandom-fueled phenomenon into practical, developmentally attuned interventions through an Adlerian Play Therapy lens.
$50
Through an Adlerian Play Therapy lens, we’ll explore metaphor, and narrative as tools for self-expression, emotional modulation, insight, and connection.
$50
Avatar: The Last Airbender provides countless metaphors that amplify the healing power of the collective for our wounded needs, including how to harness the power of relationships with animals and the elements.
$50
