Storytelling & Pop Culture: Healing Trauma Through Play Therapy

In the world of play therapy, the magic often lies in the stories we tell—and sometimes, the ones we borrow. Whether it’s pretending to be Spider-Man swinging through tough emotions, acting out a Bluey-style family adventure, or using a lightsaber to battle inner worries, storytelling paired with pop culture becomes a powerful bridge for children navigating trauma.

When children experience trauma, the language of play becomes essential. Add in familiar pop culture themes, and suddenly you have tools that are not only comforting and recognizable but also therapeutic. Pop culture doesn’t just entertain—it gives kids a framework to express what’s hard to say. Through play-based storytelling, children can explore feelings, challenges, and family dynamics using characters they already trust. A child who may not talk about sadness might explain that they’re feeling like Sadness from Inside Out, or that they’re “turning into the Hulk” when overwhelmed.

Therapists can guide children through metaphor-rich activities—like the Trauma Popcorn Concept, where each kernel holds a prompt tied to a trauma or emotion—or Bluey-style reenactments that help process sibling tension or shifting family roles. By looking at “our parts” through pop culture lenses, like a scared Peter Parker or a protective Elsa, children begin noticing “the feeling of the feeling.” These moments foster not just emotional insight, but also build safety and communication, especially when shared with caregivers. When families engage together in these narrative practices—creating superhero family maps, reenacting storylines, or rewriting endings—they strengthen bonds and open up new ways to understand and support one another.

This approach draws from narrative therapy, which is grounded in the belief that we are not our problems—we can name them, talk about them, and even rewrite the stories they try to tell about us. When combined with pop culture in play therapy, narrative therapy becomes even more engaging for children. Through the lens of their favorite characters, kids are invited to reframe their struggles, seeing themselves not as broken, but as heroes navigating a challenging plotline.

To support this work, I created the Pop Culture Symptom Checklist—a playful, powerful tool that uses familiar media to spark conversation and emotional awareness:

• “If you were a character from a show, who would you be today?”

• “What episode would today’s feelings fit into?”

• “If your worry had a name, what would it be? What does it look or sound like?”

• “Which superhero would understand what you’re going through?”

These creative prompts allow children to project their experiences outward, making it safer to explore difficult emotions. The Pop Culture Symptom Checklist is one of the handouts available to participants who attend my upcoming training at the Geek Play Therapy Summit.

In this playful space, therapy becomes a collaborative story—one where healing can unfold, one scene at a time.

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Marrina Alvarez, LPCC, is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor based in Las Cruces, NM, specializing in working with children, adolescents, and families. As one of A New Hope Therapy Center’s geek and play therapists, Marrina loves blending storytelling, pop culture, and play into the healing journey. She is passionate about creating a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their own heroic narratives. Originally from Tatum, NM, she holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice and a Master's degree in Clinical Counseling from Eastern New Mexico University. When she’s not helping young heroes and adventurers find their way, Marrina is likely embracing her own love of story and imagination.