Welcome to Marioland, where our journey through therapy is a lot like navigating the colorful, obstacle-laden world of everyone’s favorite plumber, Mario. Just like Mario faces familiar challenges, enemies, and flagpoles on his quest, our therapeutic work can sometimes feel like traversing the same level over and over. Let’s dive into this metaphorical adventure and explore how understanding our stages of readiness can help us conquer our personal Bowser.

The Familiar Terrain: Pre-contemplation and Contemplation Stages

Imagine you’re Mario, starting on a familiar level. The terrain is well-known, the Goombas are predictable, and you’ve faced these obstacles countless times. This is the pre-contemplation and contemplation stage in therapy. You might not fully acknowledge the need for change yet (pre-contemplation), or you’re just starting to consider it (contemplation).

In these stages, you’re like Mario running around the map, collecting coins, hitting blocks, and dodging enemies without a clear goal in mind. You know the challenges, but jumping on that flagpole at the end of the level? That’s a thought you might not be ready for yet. Instead, you keep navigating the same ground, pondering whether to take that leap.

The Decision to Leap: Preparation Stage

One day, something shifts. You start to see the flagpole not just as an end but as a new beginning. Welcome to the preparation stage. In Marioland, this is where you might find yourself strategizing, gathering power-ups, and planning your next move with intent. You’re ready to jump, but you’re making sure you have all the tools you need first.

In therapy, this is the stage where you recognize the need for change and start setting the groundwork. You’re preparing to face the challenge head-on, with a plan in mind. Maybe you’re discussing strategies with your therapist, setting goals, or gathering resources. The key here is that you’re readying yourself for action.

Taking the Leap: Active Stage

Now comes the thrilling part. The active stage is when Mario takes that leap onto the flagpole, completing the level and moving on to new challenges. This is where you’re actively working on your therapeutic goals. You’re implementing the strategies, making changes, and facing those obstacles head-on.

In this stage, you’re not just navigating familiar terrain but forging new paths. You’re dealing with real-life Goombas and Koopa Troopas—those pesky distractions and obstacles that pop up. It’s tough, but you’re in it, jumping, ducking, and running towards that goal.

Facing the Boss: The Fear of Big Challenges

But let’s not forget Bowser. Sometimes, even when you’re ready to leap, there’s a big, scary boss standing in your way. This could be a major life challenge, a deeply ingrained fear, or a significant behavioral change you need to make. In therapy, facing Bowser means confronting those big issues that keep you stuck in cycles.

It’s normal to feel fear and hesitation here. You might find yourself reliving the same patterns, avoiding the boss fight altogether. This is where your therapist becomes your Luigi, providing support, encouragement, and sometimes a new perspective on how to tackle the challenge.

The Cycle of Change: Maintenance Stage

Finally, let’s talk about the maintenance stage. In Marioland, once you’ve beaten the level and defeated Bowser, you move on, but the game doesn’t end. There are new levels, new challenges, and sometimes, you revisit old ones. In therapy, maintaining the progress you’ve made is crucial. It’s about sustaining the changes and continuing to apply the skills you’ve learned.

You might find yourself back on familiar ground, but with new tools and a new perspective. It’s not about getting stuck; it’s about recognizing that growth is a continuous journey.

Distractions and Obstacles: The Coins and Goombas of Life

Throughout this journey, there are distractions and obstacles—life’s coins and Goombas. These are the day-to-day challenges and temptations that can sidetrack you. It’s important to stay focused on your goals while also being kind to yourself when you stumble. Remember, even Mario gets hit by a Koopa shell sometimes.

The Power-Ups: Tools and Support

Don’t forget your power-ups! In therapy, these are the coping strategies, support systems, and positive habits you develop. Whether it’s a Fire Flower of mindfulness, a Super Star of support groups, or the trusty Mushroom of self-care, these tools help you navigate the journey with more resilience.

Power-Up Your Therapy: Utilizing Tools and Resources

In the world of Marioland, power-ups are essential for overcoming obstacles and achieving goals. Similarly, in therapy, equipping yourself with the right tools and resources can make a significant difference. Here are some power-ups you might consider:

1. Mindfulness Techniques: Just like Mario sometimes needs to pause and strategize, incorporating mindfulness can help clients stay grounded and focused. Techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or guided imagery can be powerful tools to reduce anxiety and enhance clarity.

2. Journaling: Encourage clients to keep a journal of their thoughts, feelings, and progress. Writing can be a way to process experiences, recognize patterns, and celebrate victories, no matter how small.

3. Support Networks: Building a strong support network can provide the encouragement and motivation clients need to move forward. This could include family, friends, support groups, or online communities.

4. Creative Outlets: Just as Mario has various ways to tackle a level, clients might find creative outlets such as art, music, or writing to be therapeutic and empowering. These activities can offer new perspectives and ways to express emotions.

5. Educational Resources: Providing clients with books, articles, or podcasts related to their therapeutic goals can offer additional insights and reinforce the work done in sessions. Sometimes, learning more about their challenges can demystify and reduce fear.

Leveling Up: When to Seek Extra Support

Sometimes, even Mario needs a little help from Luigi or a special item to get through a tough level. Similarly, there are moments in therapy when additional support can be beneficial. If you notice that progress has stalled despite best efforts, it might be time to:

– Refer to a Specialist: Sometimes specific issues require expertise beyond general therapeutic practice. Referring clients to specialists in areas such as trauma, addiction, or neurodivergence can provide targeted support.

– Integrate New Therapeutic Approaches: Introducing new therapeutic modalities like EMDR, CBT, or somatic therapy can offer fresh ways to approach and resolve challenges.

– Encourage Peer Support: Group therapy or peer support groups can be valuable for clients to connect with others facing similar challenges, offering a sense of community and shared experience.

Supporting Clients Who Have Plateaued: A Note to Therapists

Dear Fellow Therapists,

Navigating the plateau in therapy can be a challenging part of our work. When clients find themselves running the same level over and over, unable or unwilling to jump onto the flagpole, it’s crucial for us to provide the right support to help them move forward. Here are some ideas to guide and support clients who feel stuck in their therapeutic journey:

1. Normalize the Plateau: Let clients know that hitting a plateau is a normal part of the therapeutic process. Just like Mario sometimes faces the same challenges repeatedly before moving on, clients may need time to build the skills and confidence required for the next step.

2. Revisit Goals: Sometimes clients plateau because their goals need re-evaluation. Work with them to reassess and possibly redefine their objectives, ensuring they are still relevant and motivating.

3. Explore Resistance: Understand and address any underlying fears or resistance. Are they avoiding a Bowser-like challenge? Helping clients articulate their fears can often be the first step toward overcoming them.

4. Break It Down: Simplify tasks and break down goals into smaller, more manageable steps. This can make the process less overwhelming and help clients feel a sense of accomplishment with each small victory.

5. Introduce New Techniques: Sometimes, clients need new tools to move forward. Introduce different therapeutic techniques or coping strategies that might resonate with them better at this stage.

6. Encourage Reflection: Encourage clients to reflect on their progress and celebrate their successes, no matter how small. Reflecting on how far they’ve come can reignite their motivation to move forward.

7. Create a Safe Space: Ensure that your therapeutic environment is a safe space where clients feel comfortable exploring their fears and challenges. A supportive, non-judgmental space can make it easier for them to take risks and try new approaches.

8. Mindfulness and Relaxation: Incorporate mindfulness and relaxation techniques to help clients manage stress and anxiety, which might be contributing to their sense of being stuck.

9. Provide Hope and Optimism: Sometimes, clients need to borrow hope from their therapist. Remind them of their strengths and the progress they’ve made, fostering an optimistic outlook toward their ability to overcome current challenges.

10. Use Metaphors: Utilize metaphors like Marioland to help clients visualize their journey. This can make abstract concepts more tangible and relatable, aiding in their understanding and motivation.

Remember, our role is to be the guide, the Luigi to their Mario, helping them navigate the tricky levels and encouraging them to take that leap when they’re ready. By providing a combination of support, new strategies, and a safe space, we can help our clients move past the plateau and continue their journey of growth and healing.

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Journey

Every client’s therapeutic journey is unique, much like Mario’s adventures through different worlds and levels. Embracing the journey with its ups and downs, recognizing the value of each step, and celebrating the victories—no matter how small—are all essential parts of the process.

As therapists, our role is to guide, support, and empower our clients, helping them navigate their own Marioland with confidence and resilience. By providing the right tools, encouragement, and occasional power-ups, we can assist them in overcoming obstacles, facing their fears, and ultimately, jumping onto that flagpole to achieve their goals.

So, whether you’re just starting to navigate the terrain, preparing to take the leap, or facing down your own Bowser, remember that therapy is a journey much like a Mario game. It’s filled with familiar challenges, new levels, and the occasional big boss. Embrace your inner Mario, gather your power-ups, and know that every step you take is progress.

Jump on that flagpole when you’re ready, and remember—you’ve got this. Just like Mario, you’re a hero in your own story, capable of overcoming any obstacle with perseverance and the right support. Let’s-a go!

Written by Jen Hyatt, a licensed psychotherapist at Storm Haven, Counseling & Wellness in Temecula, California. 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional mental health advice.

Disclaimer: Mario and associated characters are intellectual property of Nintendo. All references to these characters and their stories are used purely for illustrative and inspirational purposes. This blog post is not affiliated with or endorsed by Nintendo or its affiliates. All trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.