The Course
Ethically Processing Grief and Change with Geeks explores the deep and often overlooked relationship between death, loss, and the world of geek media. While death is a universal yet taboo topic, Geek Culture uniquely engages with it—through technological obsolescence, character deaths, cancelled series, and the intense emotional investment fans place in their media. This course reveals how such experiences of grief can be understood and applied in clinical, educational, and everyday contexts.
The presentation is divided into four sections:
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Cultural Competency in Geek Culture
We begin with an overview of geek culture's influence on society and discuss how to ethically and effectively engage with it. Understanding its impact is crucial for culturally competent work. -
Clinical Perspectives on Grief and Loss
This section covers foundational grief concepts, including common myths and how therapeutic models approach mourning and loss. -
Grief Unique to Geek Communities
We examine grief experiences often dismissed in clinical settings—such as losing a fictional world or parasocial connection—and highlight how media-based attachments shape unique grief responses in this community. -
Media Case Studies and Practical Applications
The final section uses popular geek narratives to explore themes of mortality and resilience. Through case studies and examples, we show how these stories can support therapeutic, educational, and professional work.
Whether you're a clinician, educator, or someone curious about mortality through a geeky lens, this course offers tools and insights for connecting with grief in new and meaningful ways.
Why you should learn with us
Grant has created this course by blending over 20 years of experience in the Geek community with a decade of expertise in mental health and wellness. This course introduces innovative techniques for working with geek and nerd-identified clients, and is led by a leading clinician in the field of Geek Therapy! Plus, you receive engaging, enjoyable ethics hours!
When and Where
This workshop will be held in-person, in the Atlanta Metro Area. You will be given the address to the facility following the purchase of the workshop.
Happening Friday July 18th, 2025 from 2 pm to 7 pm EST.
In the event that this workshop transitions from its current hybrid format to a fully virtual model, all attendees who have purchased an in-person ticket will be granted access to the live, virtual (synchronous) workshop. Should such a change occur, all registered attendees will be notified no later than 10 days prior to the event.
Attendees will not receive a recording of the class.
Example Curriculum
Meet Your Instructor!
Grant Sparks, MS LPC; Certified Geek Therapist
(they/them/he/his)
Hello There!
I’m Grant (they/he), a life long geek with a passion for helping people discover and embody their own identity (usually by being unapologetically authentic)!
I have been steeped in Geek Culture since birth, with over 20 years of conscious engagement in most mediums of Geek Media. Coupled with over a decade of practice in various mental and behavioral health fields, I am uniquely equipped to teach those interested in applying the themes and imagery of Geek Culture to the complex intricacies of Grief and Loss.
Certificates
Modern Path has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP. No. 7152. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Modern Path is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
MODERN PATH, LLC has been approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling.
CE Broker Tracking #: 50-50468
Testimonial
"Grant's presentation style both captivates attention and clearly communicates the material. In every speaking engagement I've seen he delivers information that is a blend of strong academic backing and, when appropriate, his wealth of personal lived experience. He is consistently receptive to questions and finds ways to encourage engagement from those who are in attendance. Time spent at his engagements is time invested in one's own professional development."
-X.C., 2025
