YOUR INTERESTS ARE WELCOME HERE
Anime & Gaming Informed Therapy in California & Colorado
There is a person who has learned to keep the things they love out of the therapy room. They have downplayed a favorite anime, a game that matters, or a fandom that feels like home, because past therapists made it clear those things were not worth taking seriously. If that sounds familiar, this page is for the person who is tired of hiding part of themselves to be understood. Anime and gaming-informed therapy is a space where special interests are not judged, pathologized, or treated like something to grow out of. They are part of how the work gets done.
THE WEIGHT BEING CARRIED
Special interests are not a phase, a distraction, or a sign of immaturity.
For a lot of people, especially neurodivergent folks, the things they love are a genuine source of joy, identity, regulation, and connection. They are how the day gets through the hard parts. They are how meaning gets made. And yet, somewhere along the way, many people learn to keep those things quiet in professional spaces, including the therapy room.
ARE ANY OF THESE SPOT ON?
You may have found me if any of these sound familiar
You love anime, gaming, or a niche fandom and have been made to feel weird for it.
Past therapists did not get it, and you are tired of explaining yourself.
You have downplayed your interest in therapy because you were worried they would make you seem immature or too much.
Special interests are a genuine source of joy, identity, and regulation, and you are tired of them being pathologized.
You want a therapist for gamers and anime fans who actually understands why these things matter.
You are neurodivergent and have spent years masking parts of yourself to be taken seriously.
You want a space where you can info dump without being shut down.
You are a parent looking for a therapist who can connect with your teen through the world they actually live in.
You have tried therapy before and felt like you had to leave part of yourself at the door.
You want a therapist who will use the things you love as part of the work, not tolerate them as a side note.
That is not the story told here.
WHAT CHANGES HERE
A new chapter starts with small shifts
Hiding the things you love in therapy
→ To bringing the whole self into the room
Past therapists who did not get it
→ To a therapist who actually does
Explaining yourself over and over
→ To being understood from the first session
Special interests treated like a distraction
→ To interests used as part of the work
A teen who will not open up
→ To a teen who actually wants to show up
MEET YOUR ANIME & GAMING-INFORMED THERAPIST
Stephanie Hardison, LCSW
Hi, I am Stephanie, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and I specialize in therapy for adults and teens who want a therapist for gamers and anime fans, not someone who tolerates the interests, but someone who actually gets them.
Being gaming and anime-informed is not a gimmick. It is a genuine part of how I connect with clients and understand the way they process the world. If a storyline from an anime helps explain what is happening, we can talk about it that way. If a game mechanic is a useful metaphor for something being worked through, we will use it. If a special interest is a source of regulation and joy, it gets treated as something meaningful, not something to move past.
I also know what it is like to be the person whose interests got pathologized. I know what it is like to sit in a room and wonder whether the things that matter most will be treated as silly. That is why this practice was built the way it was. All sessions are virtual, and I use equipment that allows for online gaming-based engagement with clients when it is a good fit. So this is not just a conversation starter. It is genuinely part of how the work can happen.
If that kind of relief sounds like the missing piece, this is the place for it, and I would be honored to walk through that chapter with you.
FIND ANSWERS TO FAQ HERE
What does anime and gaming informed therapy actually mean?
It means the things you love are treated as part of the work, not a side note. In practice, that can look different depending on the client. Sometimes it means using a character arc to talk about something hard. Sometimes it means referencing a game mechanic as a metaphor for a pattern. Sometimes it means letting a client info dump about a special interest because it is genuinely regulating, and being regulated is part of the work. Sometimes it means playing a game together in session as a way to lower the pressure of direct eye contact and open up conversation in a way that feels natural. It does not mean every session is about anime or gaming. It means those things are welcome, understood, and available as tools.
Is this only for teens, or do you work with adults too?
Both. A lot of people assume gaming and anime informed therapy is mainly for teens, but adults benefit just as much. Many adults have spent years being told their interests are immature or a waste of time. Many adults are neurodivergent and have been pathologized for their special interests since childhood. Many adults simply feel more comfortable in a therapy room where they do not have to perform a version of themselves that fits what a therapist expects. The work is the same for teens and adults. The only difference is what gets brought into the room and how it gets used.
What if I am a parent looking for support for my teen?
This is a big part of the practice. Teens often shut down in therapy when the therapist does not understand their world. They can tell when an adult is tolerating their interests versus actually getting them. I do not ask teens to translate their interests into something more acceptable before we can get to the real work. That alone can make a real difference in whether a teen actually opens up. If you are a parent looking for a therapist who can connect with your kid through the things they actually care about, this is a space for that.
Do we actually play games in session, or is it more of a conversation starter?
Both, depending on what is useful. The approach is flexible. Sometimes a game is used as a way to lower pressure, especially in early sessions. Sometimes it is a shared activity that lets conversation happen more naturally. Sometimes the reference is enough, and no actual play happens at all. It depends on the client, the goals, and what feels right. If gaming does not interest you at all and the appeal is really about anime or another fandom, that works too. The point is not the game. The point is having a therapy space where the things that matter to you are welcome.
What are the fees, and do you accept insurance?
Individual therapy session (50 min) — $200
Extended therapy session (120 min) — $400
Therapy intensive (4+ hours) — starting at $1,200 (ages 18+ only)
Payment is due at the time of service.
I accept self-pay, out-of-network (OON). If you have an insurance plan, you may still be able to get partial reimbursement through your out-of-network benefits.
I can provide you with a superbill (an itemized receipt) to submit to your insurance for reimbursement. I also work with Thrizer to help make this process easier for clients. You’re welcome to ask about this during our consultation.
Priority for the reduced fee tiers goes to those who are financially struggling and identify as BIPOC or LGBTQIA+. These slots are limited, and there is no guarantee that any will be available at the time you call. Please let me know if you need a reduced fee during our call. If I cannot accommodate, I am happy to point you in a direction to meet your financial needs.
READY TO START ANIME & GAMING-INFORMED THERAPY?
Let's do it!
You have spent a long time hiding part of yourself in therapy, waiting for a space where the things that matter to you would be welcome. That space exists. Reach out to schedule a free consultation, and let's talk about whether this is the right fit for where you are right now.
