Hello there! My name is Hope. I'm the Chair for Psychology for Geeks. I have a worked with other non profits in the past and hope to bring that knowledge here to help grow this wonderful one. My other background is in mental health podcasting, healthcare, and biohazard remediation (crime scene cleaner) 

Personally I’m a big nerd/geek! Comic cons and horror cons are my jam and you’ll always see me in some sort of cosplay. Not only that but I’m neurodivergent too! My main “quirk” (for all you MHA fans) is that I have Tourette’s Syndrome. I also wouldn’t be complete without my fur babies Kit and Bumi. They’re my whole world. But if you really want to know more then reach out and say hi! 

P.S. In my podcast Mind Brain Movies, I’m the one who gave our founder the nickname Dr. Gremlin! 

I am the daughter of two Mexican immigrants. My education journey took me from a town in the middle of nowhere, Mexico -> town in the middle of nowhere in California -> UC Merced -> Rome, Italy -> UCM -> Hong Kong University ->Alliant International University, San Diego.

 I obtained my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and I have worked in a variety of settings and ages. I love working with children/adolescents. I am an all-inclusive therapist passionate about using pop culture in sessions. I want to create a safe space for everyone, including immigrants, geeks, LGBTQ+,  and marginalized communities. 

I created this nonprofit organization to build a community of geeks and therapists working together to improve our mental health. I believe it's important to address a person's culture in therapy, which includes geek culture. 

Geek culture is part of my identity. Immersing myself in the world of fiction allowed me to bond with my brothers, make new friends, and overcome challenges. In many ways, it made my life exciting and fun. I want to share that with others through this website and my social media. 

Dr. Benjamin Taitz is a Registered Psychological Associate in CA working in clinical and forensic psychology. Dr. Taitz received his Psy. D. from California Southern University, where his dissertation examined research literature about the effectiveness of incorporating geek culture to help build therapeutic rapport. As a clinician, Dr. Taitz specializes in incorporating superhero characters and other pop culture elements into therapy to help clients develop skills, identify strengths, and learn how to be a hero in real life. He is an avid mental health advocate and geek, presenting on numerous geek psychology related panels at various conventions, including San Diego Comic Con, Wondercon, New York Comic Con, and Los Angeles Comic Con, as well as at professional therapy conferences, such as the Therapeutic and Applied Geek and Gaming Summit. He loves talking about the intersection of mental health and geek culture as the co-host of two mental health related podcasts: My Hero Therapy, which examines the psychology of the My Hero Academia anime and the lessons we can learn about being heroes IRL; and Mental Health Quest, which seeks to demystify therapy and mental health services and help destigmatize help-seeking behaviors. Check them out wherever you listen to podcasts! 

Whether you see yourself in an anime hero’s journey, a comic book arc, or a video game quest, Dr. Sara Roldan helps you harness these worlds to find your true self. As a professor, researcher, TEDx speaker, published author, podcaster, and trauma therapist, she specializes in trauma-informed leadership and transforming inner villains into personal growth.

As the Community Liaison for Psychology for Geeks and part of a university e-gaming center, she bridges mental health, gaming, and fandoms, proving that comics, video games, and pop culture are powerful tools for healing and resilience.

From Fandom to Empowerment

A lifelong geek, Sara knows that stories shape us. Whether it’s Zelda’s hero’s journey, Spirited Away’s lessons in identity, or Demon Slayer for survival, she uses interactive storytelling and geek narratives to help people process trauma, build resilience, and lead with confidence.

She also hosts Our Oasis Community Podcast, exploring trauma-informed healing, mindfulness, and the psychology of fandom.

Bringing Psychology to Fandoms & Leadership

As a speaker at LA Comic Con, San Diego Comic-Con, and beyond, Sara dives into the Psychology of Villains, Superhero Trauma, and Leadership Lessons from Gaming.

Healing is an adventure. Leadership is a quest. And everyone deserves to be the hero of their own story.

Hey! I'm Marc. I am a Jewish Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Long Island, New York and am one of the few therapists in the state who specialize in suicide intervention - I even wrote a guide for clinicians working with suicidal patients. I graduated with my LMHC from CUNY Queens College and have over a decade of experience treating patients with all sorts of mental health struggles. Currently, I'm in training to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner to be able to prescribe medications in addition to providing psychotherapy. Outside of therapy, I'm a part of the D&D, Marvel, DC, and Star Wars fandoms. I also really like learning foreign languages! I already speak Spanish and Italian, and am working on adding French and Hebrew to my language pool. 

Jordan Yaklin is an online health and fitness coach dedicated to helping gamers reclaim their health, lose weight, and gain the confidence to become the main characters of their lives. With a B.S. in Exercise Science and an M.S. in Exercise Physiology, he uses evidence-based strategies and a client-centered approach to create personalized fitness programs tailored to individual needs and lifestyles.

A lifelong gamer, he has a deep love for single-player RPGs, with Pokémon as his favorite series, and is an avid Dungeons & Dragons player. Having coached professional athletes and high school students, he combines his expertise with his passion for gaming to bridge the gap between the fitness industry and the gaming community. His mission is to break the stigma that gamers are unhealthy and empower them to take control of their fitness journey—turning their real-life stats into the best version of themselves. 

Boricua  born and raised in the vibrant paradise of Puerto Rico, I am the Director of the Spanish Department of Psychology  for Geeks . My journey in psychology has been just as dynamic and expressive as my wardrobe! I draw endless inspiration from the island’s rich colors, culture, and the profound beauty of human connection When I’m not immersed in my work in psychology, I’m diving headfirst into my creative passions, exploring, fashion, and fandoms. I believe that compassion, courage, and curiosity hold the power to create a brighter world. Every day brings a fresh opportunity to grow, connect, and make a difference—and I’m here for it, every step of the way. I’ve been honored to work with people from all walks of life. Whether I’m engaging in play therapy with kids, guiding families through life’s challenges, or providing hope and healing to underserved communities, I bring my whole heart to the process. I specialize in trauma-informed care, bilingual therapy, and addressing immigration-related challenges. From collaborating with neuropsychologists to supporting military families during times of crisis, I believe life should balance purpose and joy—because it’s far too short not to embrace a little fun.

Welcome to my journey of transformation and connection. As a student of life, learning to be a human being through the lens of a woman's body, I have spent years understanding the teachings of the land and the universe. Being the eldest sibling and the only woman child in my family, I was given roles, expectations, beliefs, wounds, traumas, and experiences that I am now choosing to change. Growing up, I worked alongside my parents in the fields, picking oranges, lemons, plums, grapes, almonds, and cherries. Nature has been a foundation in my life, while higher education allowed me to expand my wings and explore the world.

During my college years, my curiosity led me to learn about cultures, linguistics, and native/indigenous history and knowledge, and to study abroad, broadening my understanding of the world. I sought to experience life firsthand, not just accepting what I read or was taught, but living it through my own truth.

My path took a significant turn during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading me back home before graduating from UC Davis. This unexpected change opened doors to new opportunities, starting with my work at Turning Point of Central California, where I supported the homeless and later transitioned into mental health services for youth.

Burned out from traditional education, I sought alternative ways to expand my knowledge. This led me to courses, masterminds, podcasts, and webinars that fueled my curiosity and desire for healing. A pivotal moment was attending the "AWAKEN Your Higher Self" event with Danny Morel, where I discovered new communities and mentors. This journey introduced me to various healing modalities, including hypnotherapy, relationship coaching, and trauma-informed coaching, further enhancing my skills and understanding.

Guided by the belief that "the outer world is just a reflection of the inner world," I create safe spaces for individuals to explore their inner wisdom and transform their lives. My work is rooted in values of community, kindness, and curiosity, and I strive to empower others to break free from limiting beliefs and embrace new possibilities.

Looking forward, my aspiration is to connect my local community to the vast world, blending ancient knowledge with modern science to elevate lives while honoring our native history. I aim to be a bridge for others, ensuring they feel connected and never alone on their journey.

Join me as we explore the limitless potential within ourselves and the world around us.