A Hero's Welcome Podcast

🏰 Disney on the Brain: Embracing Sadness and Embarrassment with Lisa Androvich

• Maria Laquerre-Diego, LMFT-S, RPT-S & Liliana Baylon, LMFT-S, RPT-S • Season 2

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What if you could harness the magic of Disney to make complex mental health concepts accessible and relatable? Join us as we chat with Lisa Androvich, a spirited licensed marriage family therapist and registered play therapist who brings a whimsical touch to therapy by channeling her inner Sorcerer's Apprentice Mickey. In this enchanting episode of A Hero's Welcome Podcast, Lisa shares her innovative presentation, "Disney on the Brain," where she uses beloved Disney characters and stories to foster empathy and understanding. With the help of classics like "Encanto," Lisa creatively illustrates generational communication and trauma, making these intricate ideas more digestible for children, caregivers, and adults.

Prepare to be inspired as we explore the intersection of popular culture and therapy, highlighting the power of relatable metaphors and analogies. Lisa's unique approach creates a shared language that simplifies discussions around emotions and the nervous system, making therapy sessions informative, engaging, and fun. We also emphasize the importance of allowing clients to craft their metaphors, ensuring these tools are personalized and meaningful. This episode is a heartwarming reminder of the potential for creativity to build stronger connections and support individual growth in therapy, all with a sprinkle of Disney magic.

A Hero's Welcome Podcast © Maria Laquerre-Diego & Liliana Baylon

Maria Laquerre-Diego:

Welcome listeners back for another special Disney bound episode of a hero's welcome podcast. I'm your co-host, marie LaCare Diego, and I'm here with my lovely co-host.

Liliana Baylon:

That's me do it, and we are here with Lisa. Lisa, how do you want to present yourself to our audience today?

Lisa Androvich:

I'm Lisa Androvich. I'm a licensed marriage family therapist and a registered play therapist. I'm a certified synergetic play therapist and I also want to introduce myself, as I think this is really important. I'm going to, and I'm going to, use a Disney metaphor, because I think that's what we're all about today. I'm gonna say I'm sorcerer apprentice Mickey. Um, because it's like I'm this is my first time like in. I mean, I've presented and I've shared the stuff that I have, and but this is my first time presenting on this sort of scale.

Maria Laquerre-Diego:

Yeah.

Lisa Androvich:

And I think that's really important, because you're taking a chance on me and I want others to know out there that they can do it too.

Maria Laquerre-Diego:

Yes, I love that. Apprentice Mickey is a great metaphor.

Lisa Androvich:

I love that and it's like, yes, we can do it. And Mickey knew he was able to. He had like all of this stuff inside of him and, yes, he did like take the hat, and it got messy and the brooms went out of control and I love it. It was as it was supposed to be.

Maria Laquerre-Diego:

Yes.

Lisa Androvich:

Now, as I remembered it In my mind, as I thought that it had like this beautiful happy ending when the Sorcerer gave Mickey the hat hat and that it was like, ah, and that's how it ended beautifully, and it's not really how it ended. But I'm going to keep that and I think I need to hold both parts. Both of those things can be yes, both can be true, but I love that it's messy and water's going to get spilled.

Maria Laquerre-Diego:

Yes, yes, I love that you're giving yourself permission. Yes, this is not. We're not seeking perfection, we're not. We're not even promoting perfection. We're not doing that.

Lisa Androvich:

Not at all. But, I love that we can all come in any place that we are and that we all have something to share. There you go, and I think that's the beauty and the magic that you are providing and that Disney does as well, so it just goes hand in hand beautifully, and, and so that's how I want to introduce myself- Well, thank you.

Liliana Baylon:

Thank you for being here. Can you let the audience know cause you're part of the Disney bound, as Maria just shared, so we're counting already the weeks for all of you to be in this amazing, magical place. Have so much fun. Can you tell us what is it that you're going to be teaching, sharing with others?

Lisa Androvich:

Yes, I am presenting on. It's called Disney on the Brain. The application of neuroscience in play therapy to foster connection and empathy.

Maria Laquerre-Diego:

I love this. How did you start interweaving neuroscience and Disney, mm-hmm.

Lisa Androvich:

It started early on. I love the brain stuff, but my mind works in metaphor and I can't quite grasp a topic unless some pop culture reference comes inside of it. Yes, or else it's gobbledygook, and I want to say all the big words but I don't get it. I mean, I can, I can recite it maybe, but I'm not getting it. I love that and so, and even there was a part of when I was learning it. When I was learning it, it wasn't. I didn't embody it until I could make it my own, and so I started. I'm a proud Disney adult.

Maria Laquerre-Diego:

And as I started.

Lisa Androvich:

They're popping off as I started to think about Disney characters and just little snapshots like oh, this is this part, we're activated. And it started when I was talking to caregivers and they can relate to it in understanding this piece and there was a little bit of oh, I see, and then we can talk about oh, I wonder if this fits for you yeah it's nice to give them a solid frame of reference.

Maria Laquerre-Diego:

Right, because, yeah, a lot of what we do in the mental health field is very abstract. Right, it's very abstract thinking, abstract concepts that we apply and when working with kids, teens and adults even think that stuff doesn't make sense. You know the incanto movie and we talk about generation, family, generations, and how communication breaks down or the passing of generational traumas. They can clue in so much easier than if we're just like so, this happens in generations and it, you know, comes down and we embody it and you may not even they're and they're like what, what are you talking about? Yeah, yeah.

Lisa Androvich:

I love using Stitch to talk about what happens when activation comes. And there's just this alarming part, and a child can get a little obnoxious and adults can get a little obnoxious, and adults can get a little obnoxious and mischievous and we can use those types of words that sound icky in my body and it's not that. And I can hold Stitch and a parent can hold Stitch and we can see clips of the movie. Yeah, and look at those snapshots, just this moment. And it doesn't define the whole of Stitch. And that's what I love, because then it doesn't define the whole of the child or the whole of the parent, just the snapshot, yeah, yeah. And then have a conversation between two different stitches, yeah, and what's it like for you and what's it like for other? And there's a little bit of space and curiosity, and it's playful and fun. And it's playful and fun. And so this passed on june.

Lisa Androvich:

June 26 is stitch day 626, and I'm a really non-directive play therapist, but we had stitch week I love that and I had goodie bags, um, and there was a little bit of neuroscience fun and they could read about it. But then there were activities that they could do as families with just silly little things that could increase connection, and it became just a thing. I'm like I'm stitch week every year, just to add something, and we're not talking about sympathetic activation in the nervous system, because then that sounds like I'm going to school.

Maria Laquerre-Diego:

It's not their language, it's not the kid's language, it's not the parent's language, it's not even our language, like we don't typically talk, even doing case consults. We don't talk that way. You know, we learn it that way and we respect where it's coming from. But practical application we can't talk to our clients like that.

Liliana Baylon:

Right. So this is where the metaphors, the analogies, the images, the movie clips you guys are mentioning come into play, because we have clinical language that we tend to use for systems processing. But then how do we translate this into clients? And I think that's where you come in right, which is like how do I talk to clients as a therapist play therapist. How do I talk to clients about how the brain functions, the automatic responses that we have? Such a stitch. I love that. I will not be able to unlink that anymore um and um. How do we do that? So that from the place of curiosity, which is exactly what you've been mentioning from the beginning, right, how can we be curious about these symptoms in order to make sense of them, to foster connection and empathy?

Lisa Androvich:

so, at the end of the day, that place of curiosity rather than shutdown Of, you're obnoxious or you're mischievous, and that means this. Oh no, I wonder what's going on for you, and let me get a little closer and lean into it, because I see the whole of you, yeah, not the one thing.

Liliana Baylon:

I even like using the image right, Like all of you are listening to us, but I just want you to know that Lisa is wearing this shirt where she has sadness and embarrassment. Thank you. Embarrassment and sadness is in top of embarrassment. Like, let me, let me make it's a beautiful image just to help write our clients Like have you ever had this Right?

Lisa Androvich:

Right, and that's that's why, maria, I love how we get to. We got to choose these feelings as our little like. I'm calling them my sidekicks, and I thought that these two worked hand in hand in Inside Out too, they did so beautifully, and I think, with caregivers they are here and can be channeled as these whispering voices of wisdom to continue to foster that empathy and reflective awareness, to increase attachment and so that can be interwoven so beautifully in it.

Maria Laquerre-Diego:

Yeah, when Inside Out came, two came out. I was like, oh, clearly there's our theme for our next Disney conference, because it's just, it's what we do. And not only is that, but kids and families are, are seeing this, they're drawn to this. It gives us common language that they understand and can receive, because talking about shame and embarrassment and sadness is really difficult. But when we use those narrative techniques and we can compare it to characters that are outside embodiments, right, we can move so much faster. But that connection and that rapport, that I you understand me. Yes, if I tell you I'm having an embarrassment and sadness day, you get that. You know what that means Mm-hmm and sadness day you get that.

Lisa Androvich:

You know what that means and we can speak in this connected place. I get so excited.

Lisa Androvich:

I'm so excited, and then I have to bring in. On the other hand, there is this place with metaphor. There's the dark side, too, of not all metaphors are created equally, and this metaphor, the metaphors that I'm using as this teaching tool and are mine, and then I want to give option and, and so it's that jumping board and I, and so part of what I want to make sure to bring in to to this, to foster connection, is to talk about how do we then bring in? Let's bring an opportunity for your metaphor, because this is this works for me and it's not. It may not work for you, and that would be the height of my own hubris to say here's Stitch, this is yours, take it home with you, it's your pet now, and you have to love Stitch like Lilo, did Right and goodbye, I'm out of here.

Maria Laquerre-Diego:

No, no, it's permission giving, right, it's permission giving I was like I love that, lilo loves it so much.

Liliana Baylon:

You guys remember the thing. Like I'm not touching you. Yeah, first image that came to my mind when you said that, which is exactly what parents, caretakers and children go to, which is lean in. You're too close, go away. How do we connect? You know, how do we create that empathy when you're telling me to go away?

Maria Laquerre-Diego:

she put some serious boundaries up yeah, yeah, no, it's so, it's so good, it's so good, it's so good. So, lisa I this is more just personal curiosity but you, we did not know each other before you came to Disney last year, is that right? No, we did not know each other. So why, in the world, besides being a self-identified Disney adult, like what made you take the leap to come? I mean, you had no connection to me. You had no idea what to expect. This was the first time it was done. What made you interested in coming?

Lisa Androvich:

Well, and this was a training of my dreams, Like, if anything. Like, oh my gosh, we could have a training at Disneyland. Yes, sign me up. So when I saw that and I think I signed up relatively later when I saw it on social media and then looked at the speakers, the only person that I knew was Liliana, because Liliana was my, my consultant when I did my intro to synergetic play therapy and I was like, oh, double goodness.

Liliana Baylon:

I thought you were going to say, like how can I get away from this lady?

Lisa Androvich:

kidding me. I was like, yes, sign me up, yes, and I thought this is possible, this can be something. And and then I mean because, and then when we were in this group of like-minded individuals, that it gave me permission, that it was like it's okay to do the things that I've been doing.

Maria Laquerre-Diego:

Yeah.

Liliana Baylon:

Yeah, nice.

Maria Laquerre-Diego:

I'm okay as what I'm doing yes, well, and you're needed doing what you're doing. Nobody can do what you're doing the way you're doing it and, yeah, hands down. I mean the response has been the connections made were worth it by itself, let alone like what we learned and the experiences we got to have in the park together, but the connections and the rapport. Like our whatsapp group is so worth it for everyone who's listening.

Liliana Baylon:

So not only you're going to this amazing training, you're gonna be fed like no other conference have fed you before. They're going to be taken care of. Then they're going to introduce you to the WhatsApp group which hold on because from the. Moment you arrive, they're like who wants to go to this ride? I'm in this ride. I'll hold the line To even now it keeps going, sharing what's happening with each other, embracing, empowering each other. So you become part of a community once you attend this training.

Lisa Androvich:

Yeah, it's truly like no other. Yeah, in other groups that I've been in, in other cohorts that I've been in that are longer or that we need in for longer groups of time, it may be that there's connections between individuals, but the cohesiveness of the entire like that, yeah, is something unlike anything that I've seen. I mean, that just brings tears to my eyes and I am of.

Maria Laquerre-Diego:

That's just magical yeah, it's pretty darn special. It is and it was not. It wasn't like a goal I wasn't out to be like this is going to be like a rocking community that's going to like. But I think I think the connection a lot of the feedback I get is that there was a lot of just show up as you are and you're accepted.

Maria Laquerre-Diego:

Not only you accepted, but you're celebrated in a way that you know Disney adults are not welcome everywhere. You know people who have fandoms and do geek stuff like that's not always accepted, and so this community is really built around like not only are you welcome the way you are, but you're celebrated for who you are and how you show up and you don't have to be like everybody else in this group to feel cohesive. Right Like this is not a Star Wars only group, because that is my fandom of choice. Right Like we are all, but we're all marginalized in some ways. And I think this group has been really such a safe haven for a lot of us that feel alone doing what we've been doing and just knowing that we're not doing it alone and not only is what we're doing great, but it's necessary, I agree.

Lisa Androvich:

You don't even have to like Disney, you don't have to be a Disney person. It has value outside of it. It it brings play. It brings true play in, because we're really doing the play. Yeah, we're living the therapeutic powers of play rather than talking about them.

Liliana Baylon:

Yeah, which is something that, mariana, for all of you who have been listening to us for a while, thank you for listening to us for a while. But that's exactly what we've been saying, which is we go to trainings to talk about play therapy, but exactly, we're talking about play therapy Most of the conference that we go. We are go, go, go from training to training and then at the end we're trying to catch up with one another, but we're exhausted. We go exhausted, we are exhausted and come back like we're not able to make a sentence the next couple of days.

Liliana Baylon:

This conference that Maria is hosting is completely different. You have one day of training, one day of play. Actually start with one day of play. I think I catch up late, but last time that I went in so it was like the integration of we're going to learn, we're going to play, we're going to learn, we're going to play, and then you know in the afternoons like we were all catching up and it was. It is a lovely environment that you created, maria, and we're thankful for it, because it's not just let me talk to you and let me teach you while we're here, which is still teaching.

Liliana Baylon:

It's not the main component that Lisa is mentioning. So this has been our experience, lisa, joining in this part of being a presenter for this conference now. But all of us who have presented with Maria at Disney have this in common, which is it is a beautiful way of being with one another. So kudos to you for at least the first year going as a participant. Look at you second year shining all the way and now presenting. So for all of you who are listening, I think Maria mentioned there's four spots left, so hurry up and remind them when it starts. And then registration for anyone who does not catch up.

Maria Laquerre-Diego:

So yeah, so right now, as a recording, we have four slots and the deadline is either those four slots go or the 24th of January is our cutoff for registration. The conference is March 10th through the 15th and it's offering up to 21 CEs that are also NBCC and APT CEs, so it'll help you for both. You do not have to be a play therapist, but you do need to be playful, because otherwise you're gonna be really uncomfortable, and that's okay too, um, but yeah, we're. I am just elated, lisa. I'm so excited for you to be a presenter this year with me and that you're taking a chance. I know that this is like a big step for you as well, um, and what an honor for me to host you at Disney to do that.

Lisa Androvich:

I'm thank you. I'm filled with gratitude.

Liliana Baylon:

Well thank you, Lita, for being here. For all of you who are listening and are going already, please ask Lisa questions. She is amazing. This whole idea of how do we create and foster connection and empathy is needed between families, between us therapists, between our field. Like it's just needed period. So please go to her training, take some notes and have a blast. Thank you for being here.

Maria Laquerre-Diego:

Thank you, Lisa. Till next time, guys. Bye.

People on this episode

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Liliana Baylon, LMFT-S, RPT-S

Host
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Maria Laquerre-Diego, LMFT-S, RPT-S

Host
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Lisa Androvich

Guest