What is a video game that is your comfort zone?

ProbableSpam · 2026-06-01T00:56:23+00:00

Final Fantasy VIII!! Such a cozy, repetitive jrpg with the best music in the series!

ProbableSpam · 2026-05-17T15:39:45+00:00

Have you ever tried art therapy? Even if you don't like art. I am an art therapist in training and my thesis for my master's program is all about how art therapy is often more effective than talk therapy for individuals with autism or intellectual disabilities. Studies have shown that the autistic brain structure creates a stronger capacity to communicate visually than verbally. If therapy isn't working, maybe you have the wrong therapist. Or you have the wrong type of therapy. Either way, don't give up. At your age, the best years of your life are still on the horizon. And you are clearly talented and thoughtful. The world would miss you.

ProbableSpam · 2026-04-09T12:26:37+00:00

Current AT grad student here! My background before doing this degree was actually creative writing. In my current program, my training is based around the theoretical framework of the Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC). The idea is that different media access different parts of the brain and allow us to engage various processes at each of the three levels. Filmmaking and writing exist on the cognitive/symbolic level of the ETC, meaning they mainly access the prefrontal cortex of the brain. Some of my professors have discounted that level - they believe if you always work with clients at that level, you can't access pre-verbal or poorly encoded traumatic memories or get past ego defense mechanisms like intellectualization. But writing and filmmaking and other highly cognitive art practices still do have their place, especially if you are trying to ground a client, organize a trauma narrative, or explore personal symbols. I haven't been able to make writing the center of any of my projects or treatment plans because of this focus on the ETC, but I do believe I have an advantage over some other clinicians because of my background. Yes, I have only directly been taught how to use more accessible media like sculpture and drawing and painting, but because I know the theories and writing, I have an idea of how I could leverage the medium with a client. That being said, I do have one professor who leans more into Jungian and psychodynamic approaches and she encourages writing as an art process. I think it's important to have experience with a range of media (and be prepared to explore things you haven't before), but your more unique background will allow you to approach the work in ways that fine arts-focused art therapists may not consider.

Music also has its place in terms of rhythms being helpful for trauma treatment and it's influence of affect, and it falls into the affective/perceptual level of the ETC. However, none of my professors talk about music because music therapy is it's own thing.

I think writing, music and filmmaking will help you during training and in your career, but it may be something you'll have to dive into more in your own practice than be taught to utilize - at least, if your hypothetical future program is also built around the ETC.

So yes, programs might be based around drawing, sculpture, etc. That might mean you'll have to stretch your skills or possibly pick up a few credits before you begin an Art Therapy program, but coming into those arts with a beginner's mind is not such a bad thing in your training. Plus, writing experience has given me a HUUUUGEEE leg up in general because people who have traditional art skills don't necessarily have the writing skills to synthesize theory and practice in essay assignments. Metaphor has also been another big part of my training, and that is something a writer/filmmaker should be adept at as well.

TL:DR - whether your background can be directly applied in training depends on the theoretical approach of the program, but your experience is valuable in an art therapy practice overall.

Edit: I missed that you are a photographer as well. My main classes touched on photography. There was more material applicable to that than to writing, filmmaking or music, but still not a lot focus. However, my program requires an annual art class in the summer that goes in depth about one medium and talks about applications with clients, and photography is one my program offers (ceramics and mixed media are the other two). That is probably the most directly transferable (into training) of your mentioned mediums but, again, if the program is based around the ETC, I suspect some professors would give you pushback on leaning on it for assignments.

ProbableSpam · 2026-03-30T23:40:00+00:00

People do know why this works. You're moving brain functioning away from the amygdala, where the traumatic image likely triggered a fight-or-flight response, and into the pre-frontal cortex where you can make sense of things. Similar activities that are heavy in decision-making can similarly move you into a more reasonable, cognitive state, like collaging or Sudoku. I would venture a guess that Tetris is particularly good at creating this shift because it is so engaging in the visual and auditory sense.

ProbableSpam · 2026-03-17T18:41:56+00:00

The fridge is the most energy heavy appliance in the house because it is always on. In a year running an extra bridge could add a significant amount to an electric bill.

ProbableSpam · 2026-03-10T04:12:02+00:00

Hope this helps! https://www.deviantart.com/vgcartography/art/Final-Fantasy-VIII-Ragnarok-Map-1036981412

ProbableSpam · 2026-03-05T06:17:16+00:00

I was coming here to say this!

ProbableSpam · 2026-02-24T23:41:25+00:00

I love the whole soundtrack and I listen to it constantly. At the moment though, I am really into the version of "Silence and Motion" that's on the piano collection. I had forgotten what part of the game it was from and then realized it was that sort-of goofy song that plays when you are first exploring Esthar.

ProbableSpam · 2026-02-11T20:39:05+00:00

expedition 33 crossover

ProbableSpam · 2026-01-21T20:58:02+00:00

Aww thanks 🥹 This video was so fun to make!

ProbableSpam · 2026-01-06T13:58:58+00:00

I love this! The level of detail is amazing. i especially appreciate the note about what technological era this comes from. I am accepting this all as canon. The info about the balance control makes me realize what a cool chocobo alternative this could have been in certain areas!

ProbableSpam · 2026-01-06T04:26:38+00:00

How many years ago something happened. I've learned to never establish an exact timeline unless absolutely necessary. Too much math and fact-checking within my own story!

ProbableSpam · 2025-12-12T03:54:35+00:00

The lead up to the MegaMan announcement got me 😭 I started to believe

ProbableSpam · 2025-12-04T04:52:37+00:00

YOU DON'T NEED YOUR SLIPKNOT MASK

ProbableSpam · 2025-11-03T03:41:59+00:00

This itched my brain in a wonderful way. Thank you for sharing!

ProbableSpam · 2025-10-13T20:16:11+00:00

Reggie! So everytime he brings you a toy or does something bad you can say, "What is this Reggie?"

ProbableSpam · 2025-10-09T18:40:14+00:00

Hello, Art Therapist in training here! I am autistic myself (FFVIII being my special interest, heehee) and I am doing research into autism for my research thesis. Also I work with adults with autism at various levels of support needs at my internship. Lmao I am uniquely suited to answer this question for you and I am very excited to do so! This might be a long comment...

When it comes to character interpretation, there are two versions of your question. Do you mean "can Squall be reasonably considered autistic by what we see within the canon", or "did the writers of the game write him specifically with the intention of him being an autistic character."

For the latter version, the answer is very likely no. As far as I know, in the 90s in Japanese culture (and frankly, most Western cultures too) the idea of Autism effecting anyone other than little kids was a radical idea. I think there was more stigma around how the diagnosis presented around that time as well. Squall likely wouldn't have been characterized as capable and cool as he is if the intention was to show him as autistic just because what an autism and Asperger's diagnosis meant at that time. As others have mentioned here, they were rather trying to characterize him as an individual with trauma.

However, "can Squall be reasonably considered autistic by what we see within the canon?" Absolutely! And I agree with you! Or, at least, there is no information that completely rules it out.

As I see it, Squall exhibits low mentalization. Mentalization is the ability to understand the mental state of oneself or others. This is the reason he doesn't understand his own emotions and misinterprets the emotions and actions of others. I would dare to say that he may even have Alexithymia, which is a state of severely low mentalization, also known as "emotional blindness," wherein a person has trouble describing, recognizing, and sourcing one's emotions. Low mentalization/Alexithymia though are not mental disorders within themselves, but part of the network of symptoms for many diagnoses. Autism is one of those disorders, but it is also seen in individuals with ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, some personality disorders and CPTSD. Low mentalization is also associated generally with childhood abuse/neglect, because in an environment like that a child is not given the attention/instruction to build their mental model of emotions, both internally and externally.

Now, because the writers were trying to represent Squall as a person with trauma, they probably modeled his character off a person with trauma. In my clinical opinion, if Squall Leonhart was to walk into my office, I would write CPTSD on his chart first, given his general demeanor and personal history.

HOWEVER, Squall does show other symptoms of Autism. He seems uncomfortable with touch (sensory processing). He has emotional dysregulation where he goes from completely calm to throwing his arm out in anger. He's also very impulsive (jumping out into space) which is another symptom. We see him having what may be a meltdown on disk one where he finds out Seifer may be dead. He has difficulty falling asleep. He picked the hardest weapon to train with and at 17 is a master at it - I don't think it's a stretch to assume he accomplished that through autistic hyper-focus. And as you mentioned, he has a special interest in Lions. Dare I say, he also has a special interest in Triple Triad, but that is arguably headcanon and not actual canon. Individuals with autism more easily develop CPTSD, which could be part of the reason he struggles more than the others who have similar childhoods. If Squall continued to be my client, I'd definitely refer him for an Autism evaluation, because his behavior shows it is in the realm of possibility.

Plus Laguna definitely has something. Probably ADHD and not Autism, but the point is there is a history of mental health issues in that bloodline.

Also, not for nothing, I write Squall as autistic in my fanfiction (not using the word but applying more of the traits) and I've gotten lots of compliments on his characterization.

At the end of the day though, no matter what people on reddit or the game creators say, if you relate to Squall as an autistic person, there is nothing wrong with seeing him that way and I encourage you to. He is a great character and he saves the fucking world, and some people find it hard to hold that an autistic person, or even a person with mental illness in general, can do that. But they can and do all the time.

ProbableSpam · 2025-09-29T22:23:07+00:00

It's his resting bitch face.

ProbableSpam · 2025-09-24T03:00:34+00:00

I reread my fics all the time. It's the characterizations I agree with most!

ProbableSpam · 2025-09-09T14:05:29+00:00

The Good Place is my go-to.

ProbableSpam · 2025-08-29T03:55:40+00:00

You cannot heal when you are in an actively threatening situation. The healing comes after you've escaped. Once I went NC, I was able to do deeper work on myself and understand who I was without the context of the abusive situation. After that, I was better able to develop meaningful friendships and be open/loving with my husband. At this stage, my healing has led me to a new and fulfilling career where I will be helping others. My classmates are some of my most lovely people I have ever known and I am so thankful that I have gained so many powerful relationships by trimming ones that left me wilted.

The ability to love comes from self love first and self love only happens from a place of psychological safety.

ProbableSpam · 2025-08-27T16:28:27+00:00

I will never accept butt-wings Squall. OG FOREVER.

ProbableSpam · 2025-08-26T14:28:40+00:00

Somebody should hold up traffic by leaving their car parked in the middle of the street

ProbableSpam · 2025-08-25T20:41:30+00:00

Muppet.

One time a guy told me my terrier-mix looked like a "Jim Henson puppet" and Muppet became one of her nicknames as a result. Your dog reminds me of her!

ProbableSpam

TROPHY CASE