Struggling Mental Health? Therapist Recommends Disney as a Form of Treatment
While many therapists suggest connecting with your inner child as a step toward emotional healing, one therapist is taking it a step further by recommending a trip to Disneyland. Jessica Vickers, a licensed psychotherapist specializing in marriage and family therapy, believes that spending time at the iconic theme park can help adults reconnect with a younger, more joyful version of themselves.
How Disney Helps With Healing
Vickers, who is active on social media and shares her own Disney experiences with her followers, explained her reasoning: “I think there’s something there that just connects us with this younger sense of self,” she told SFGATE. “We don’t, especially adults, do not get to do that day-to-day in the real world.” It’s this return to innocence and fun that she argues can be a powerful part of healing.
Despite the playful tone of her social media posts, Vickers is not claiming that Disneyland is a cure-all for mental health issues. Rather, she sees it as a helpful, if unconventional, way to reconnect with joy, something that is often overlooked in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. “Don’t take my advice,” Vickers cheekily captioned a video of her and her son strolling down Main Street U.S.A. “You’ll just end up at Disneyland, aka your ‘happy place.’”
Therapy at Disney
In fact, Vickers frequently takes her family to Disneyland, often spending Sundays in Adventureland with her husband and two young sons. While she openly shares her love for the parks on Instagram, she emphasizes that not every therapeutic approach works for every person. Disneyland, like any form of self-care, isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. For many, the high cost and crowds may detract from the experience, and it’s certainly not going to “fix” any deeper emotional issues. However, for those who find joy in the magic of Disney, Vickers believes that indulging in a bit of nostalgia and fun can help elevate their overall happiness.
Disneyland, with its whimsical charm and emotional ties to childhood memories, provides an escape from the realities of adult life—a brief opportunity to immerse yourself in a world where the stresses of everyday responsibilities can be put aside, if only for a day. For Vickers, this kind of experience—while not a therapeutic modality in the traditional sense—can still be a valuable tool for fostering a more positive outlook and promoting emotional well-being.
Ultimately, Vickers encourages people to embrace what makes them happy, whether it’s through spending time at Disneyland, engaging in their favorite hobby, or simply allowing themselves to tap into their inner child. There’s nothing wrong with finding joy in places like Disneyland,” she says. “Sometimes, that little boost of happiness can be exactly what we need to reset and approach life from a fresh perspective.
For those who can afford the time and expense, Vickers’ perspective is a reminder that sometimes the road to healing isn’t always linear—it can include moments of fun, nostalgia, and even a bit of magic.
