Conference attendees and speakers with Mickey

Disney World. A place that holds strong opinions. You either love it or hate it. And don’t get me started on the “Disney adult” stereotype. People wear that title as a badge of honor, and people use that title as an insult.

If you had told me a few years ago that I would be attending a counseling conference in Disney, I would not have believed you. Don’t get me wrong, I had no ill feelings towards Disney, but I questioned the appeal. I totally understand the appeal for kids, but many of my fellow millennials are obsessed with Disney, even more than their kids. Many of them don’t even have kids and are obsessed with Disney!

I went to Disney as a child, but I don’t remember much. I do remember complaints from the adults who brought me. “The lines, the prices, the crowds.” I went as a young adult and remembered those same feelings: the lines, the prices, the crowds. It’s no one’s fault, but that shaped my feelings towards Disney World. Not only that, but my thoughts about overconsumption had me feeling a certain type of way. Do people really need 20 pairs of Mickey ears? Do people really need to buy those cute outfits, those sunglasses, those little backpacks, and those plushie keychains to hang from those little backpacks?

I wonder as I sip tea from my new Epcot mug.

About a year ago I saw an advertisement for a counseling conference at Disney World called Clinically Ever After. The conference would combine the world of Disney with mental health counseling. Two days, 10 CEUs, Epcot fireworks, and other fun perks. I was intrigued. I sent the link to a few friends.

“Would anyone want to go to this? I’m interested.” I texted them.

A resounding response of interest. “I LOVE Disney! YES, I would go!”

“Okay.. let’s do it!”

Booked and paid. I felt impulsive. Is this a good idea? Will it be expensive? Would I actually enjoy Disney? Questions flew into my mind, but they did not last long. I was ready in my professional life to take this opportunity. My practice is almost 3 years old, and it’s doing well (knock on wood and thank the Gods).

I’m ready to take time off in sunny Florida, escape the snow, and spend hard earned money on myself and my practice.

The empowering woman Donna Meagle once said, “TREAT YO SELF!”

Fast forward to now. I stayed at the Coronado Springs Disney resort and it was gorgeous. Day one of the conference had amazing presentations. We spoke about villains and vulnerability, princesses and being a “good girl” versus your authentic self, play therapy, toxic masculinity and male loneliness, and the neurobiology of imagination. Wow! Some heavy topics here. I learned so much in every presentation.

After the first day we had a private viewing area of fireworks at Epcot. This was my first time being in Epcot, and it was stunning at night. The fireworks and light show was moving and witnessing it with all these counselors made it so much better.

Conference attendees at the private viewing area for Epcot fireworks and light show.

Hanging out with Walt after the fireworks

Day two of the conference was focused on the counseling profession. We learned about how to tell our story to build our practice, how to do shadow work on ourselves and with clients, how to move past shame, how to empower our inner child, and how to create lasting changes.

Danielle Massi, LMFT was as speaker on day two. I bought her Shadow Work book!

Overall, I had a wonderful time. I learned a lot. I went to Hollywood Studios and Epcot in my off time. I visited other resorts, went to amazing restaurants, and ate delicious food (my favorite pastime).

I made new friends and gained motivation to make positive changes to my work with clients and my practice. Working in private practice is lonely. I get in my head about how I am working with clients or running my business, so meeting other counselors, hearing their stories, learning new things, and feeling validation is comforting.

So, I know what you’re thinking. Did this conference convert me into a “Disney Adult?”

There’s a lot of work to be done. I haven’t watched a Disney movie in ages, and there are important ones I missed, like Inside Out (I know, I know). I need to catch up!

I want to prepare because there will be another Clinically Ever After in Disney World in 2027.

And I will be back!

If you are interested in attending the 2027 Clinically Ever After conference in Disney World, check out https://rebelmente.com/

Registration will be available on February 23, 2026!

Clinically Ever After- Counseling Conference at Disney World 2026

Snow day