About


The Rise of the Misfit: Exploring Identity and Belonging Through Pop-Culture and Play Therapy

Part of the 2026 Geek Play Therapy Summit


Celebrate what makes you different - discover how stories of outsiders can transform play therapy into a journey of self-acceptance and strength. Many individuals who feel like “misfits” or outsiders struggle with societal expectations, social anxiety, and a sense of not belonging. Traditional therapeutic approaches often leave these clients feeling disconnected, unseen, or pressured to perform.

 

This workshop explores how therapists can create safe, inclusive spaces by leveraging play therapy and cultural artifacts—such as movies, music, comic books, and literature—to make complex emotions relatable and empowering. Attendees will gain practical strategies for creating inclusive play-based therapeutic spaces where embracing difference becomes a foundation for healing.


Through the lens of play therapy as applied to iconic outsiders like—Holden Caulfield, Edward Scissorhands, Ponyboy, the Descendants, Deadpool, Wolverine, the Grinch, the Island of Misfit Toys, the Goonies and more—participants will explore strategies to help clients:


•        Celebrate uniqueness and embrace their authentic selves.
•        Reframe differences as a source of creativity and strength.

•        Build resilience by connecting personal narratives to universal themes of belonging.

Training Components

    1. Welcome! About This Training...

    2. Webinar video

    3. Handouts

    4. Post-Test

    5. Quest Complete! Guide Our Next Mission...

About this course

  • $50.00
  • 1.5 hours of video content
  • 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%.
  • Upon purchase, you'll have 30 days of access to recordings, handouts, and post-tests.
  • Content is for personal/professional use only. No sharing, distribution, or reproduction allowed. Updates may occur without notice.

In this course you will...

  • Describe at least three common challenges experienced by clients who identify as “misfits” or outsiders in play therapy

  • Analyze two ways pop culture and play therapy interventions can promote self-acceptance and belonging

  • Demonstrate the ability to integrate at least one cultural artifact (e.g., film, comic, music, literature) into a therapeutic activity that helps clients relate to outsider narratives in play therapy sessions

  • Develop one strategy for creating a safe and inclusive play therapy environment where embracing difference becomes a foundation for healing ​

Presenter

Dana Wyss PhD, LMFT, ATR-BC, RPT

Dana Wyss, PhD, LMFT, ATR-BC, RPT is a licensed marriage and family therapist, board-certified clinical art therapist, registered play therapist, and co-author of The Invisible String Workbook and Hope and The Winds of Grief Workbook. Her doctorate in expressive therapies has led her to create programs integrating art, play, poetry, sports, and animal-assisted therapy in clients' healing process and staff's self-care. For the last 25 years, Dr. Wyss has worked in psychiatric hospitals, group homes, community mental health, and nonpublic school settings to manage crises, conduct training, coach staff, and support children and families. Dr. Wyss is a Corporate Clinical Training Specialist and Clinical/Art therapy supervisor at Stars Behavioral Health Group, a company specializing in the treatment of complex developmental trauma. She also owns a small private practice. Dr. Wyss is an international speaker and consultant. She uses her creativity for her own healing as well as to support others.

FAQs

  • What is your refund policy?

    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.

  • How many CE credits are available

    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.

  • How long will I have access to the training?

    Upon purchase, you'll have 30 days of access to recordings, handouts, and post-tests. Access extension requests must be made before expiration.

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