Healing Through Empathy and Expression: How Dr. Rex Blends Acting, Humor, and Humanistic Therapy

The Connection of Acting and Therapy

Healing, like acting, demands more than surface skill — it demands heart.
It demands empathy.

For Dr. Rex, a practicing psychologist with a background in acting, the connection between the two fields has never been clearer — or more powerful.

He brings together humanistic therapy, healthy confrontation, humor, and creative role-play to help clients move beyond anxiety, trauma, and emotional stuckness into a fuller expression of themselves.

And he’s inspired by some of the greatest artists in the world, citing a particularly powerful quote.

Meryl Streep said that “Empathy is the heart of the actor's art, and a therapist to be successful, has to be empathetic.”

This quote from the acclaimed actress perfectly captures Dr. Rex’s philosophy: that empathy isn’t just a skill for the stage — it’s the foundation of true therapeutic change.

How Dr. Rex Started on His Path

Dr. Rex’s interest in psychology began as early as 1992, but it wasn’t until 2013 that he fully committed to the field, enrolling in community college after a career in acting didn’t pan out the way he once envisioned.

His background in acting, combined with a growing love for human behavior, laid the perfect foundation for a therapeutic approach that values both empathy and expression.

As he studied, earning his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in psychology, Dr. Rex began to realize the powerful overlap between these two worlds — and how combining them could serve clients in revolutionary ways.

What Interests Dr. Rex About Acting?

When asked what drew him so deeply to acting, Dr. Rex smiled:

"Empathy is the heart of the actor’s art," he said, quoting Meryl Streep. "And a therapist, to be successful, has to be empathetic too."

In acting, you must step fully into another’s experience — understanding their fears, motivations, and hidden hopes.
In therapy, the same skill allows a practitioner to meet a client exactly where they are, without judgment, and create space for transformation.

For Dr. Rex, acting was never just about performance. It was about connection — the very essence of healing.

Dr. Rex’s Unique Method: Humanistic Therapy with Healthy Confrontation (and Humor)

Dr. Rex’s private practice isn't cookie-cutter therapy. Instead, it’s an eclectic, client-centered approach grounded in:

• Humanistic Therapy:
  Focusing on empathy, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard, allowing clients to feel truly seen.
  
  

• Healthy Confrontation:
  Encouraging clients to face uncomfortable truths with support, not avoidance.
  
  

• Strategic Use of Humor:
  Breaking the heaviness of therapy sessions with humor, helping clients gain perspective, and softening self-judgment.
  

"I think it's very underrated and underutilized, is my thought, by a lot of therapists, because therapy feels so serious, doesn't it? But, you know, just helping people see the humor in some of their decisions, whilst at the same time recognizing the healthiest decisions," he explained.

His method also brings in elements from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and deep somatic work, offering a full-spectrum toolkit for personal growth.

Incorporating Acting into Therapy: Beyond Talk

One of Dr. Rex’s major innovations? Using acting as a form of therapy.

In group sessions, especially, he guides clients through role-play exercises — helping them embody different aspects of themselves or significant relationships through acting techniques like

• Objective work: Clarifying what the client wants from the "scene" or relationship.
  
  

• Sense memory: Using the imagination to deepen emotional authenticity.
  
  

• Relaxation exercises: Calming the nervous system before stepping into the role.
  
  

  

"Instead of fighting our emotions with logic," Dr. Rex explained, "Acting techniques allow clients to feel their way into healing."

Role-playing tough conversations, expressing suppressed emotions, and rehearsing confident communication are just a few ways he helps clients step into stronger versions of themselves.

Success Stories: Transforming Social Anxiety Into Confidence

When asked about memorable client transformations, Dr. Rex shared one of the most rewarding aspects of his work:

"I think some of the success stories I see are people with social anxiety, which is interesting, isn't it?" He shared.

Through the integration of role-playing, acting exercises, and therapeutic dialogue, clients who once struggled to speak up in group settings or even in everyday life began to discover a whole new part of themselves.

"It was often the people with social anxiety that ended up becoming almost the best improvisers because once they got a taste for it in the groups, it was like a whole world opened up for them and their confidence increased—and I couldn't get them to sit down."

Dr. Rex described working with individuals who were initially resistant:

Importantly, he emphasized that the goal isn't to eliminate anxiety completely—it's to change the relationship with it.

"I think people have a misconception about therapy—that it's to completely remove the feeling of anxiety. No, you might feel anxious your entire life, but the intensity with therapy will reduce over time," Dr. Rex explained.

Dr. Rex referenced the wisdom of Ram Dass, a beloved psychologist and spiritual teacher:

In essence, therapy doesn't erase challenges, but it empowers people to move through them with greater ease, resilience, and self-compassion.
And for many of Dr. Rex’s clients, the discovery of their own voice through creative expression has been nothing short of transformative.

How Dr. Rex Maintains His Own Well-Being

Working as a therapist often means carrying heavy emotional loads—helping clients navigate everything from trauma to addiction to deep-seated anxiety. So, how does Dr. Rex stay grounded while doing such demanding work?

When asked, he was refreshingly honest:

"Yeah, it's a great question. I think we become conditioned as therapists to working with a whole range of different people and people who can be more challenging—the personality disorders, you know, and with teenagers too."

Over time, Dr. Rex explained, exposure builds a certain level of resilience:

"Youth yelling at you, screaming at you, hitting walls. And I think every therapist responds differently to different challenges, different diagnoses, but outside of just having a level of conditioning from being exposed to it so much, the way I think a surgeon would, and just chat and have jokes with others."

Just like surgeons adapt to high-pressure environments, therapists, too, learn to manage the emotional weight. But beyond professional conditioning, Dr. Rex actively invests in his own mental well-being:

"I do my own therapy as well, every couple of weeks. I had a period where I stopped doing it, but I have resumed it. I think that's helpful, whether it's just a process."

He also finds strength through professional support systems:

"Consultations with other psychologists and mental health professionals are really helpful when you talk about more challenging cases."

Outside of formal therapy, Dr. Rex emphasizes the importance of everyday joy and balance:

"Going to the gym, playing golf, doing things I love, watching films, hanging out with friends."

He also openly acknowledges that even seasoned professionals struggle with impostor syndrome — a reminder that healing is ongoing for everyone, no matter their credentials.

What’s Next for Dr. Rex

Today, Dr. Rex runs his private practice both online and in person.

He accepts referrals through platforms like Psychology Today and Alma, is credentialed with several insurance providers, and remains open to expanding his work into new environments, including possible future part-time work in correctional facilities.

Looking ahead, Dr. Rex is focused on his major goals:

• Expanding his acting-integrated therapy programs, especially for groups dealing with social anxiety and trauma.

• Finishing a feature-length film based on his award-winning short “Bonding,” merging his love for storytelling and mental health advocacy.

• Expanding his private practice:

• He said he is "continuing to expand the private practice" as one of his next steps.

• Dr. Rex shared that he "may be doing a couple of days part-time at a correctional facility as a therapist on a six-month contract, so that's going to be an interesting experience."
  

In every next step, Dr. Rex remains committed to blending creativity, psychology, and compassion in ways that help people not just survive, but thrive.

Final Reflection: Why Dr. Rex’s Work Matters

At MBNews, we believe the future of wellness will be built by pioneers like Dr. Rex — people who aren’t afraid to innovate, integrate, and make healing more human.

His work reminds us that therapy can be a dynamic, living practice, one that draws from empathy, humor, creativity, and deep psychological insight.

And sometimes, the bravest thing we can do isn't just talk about change — it's embodying it.

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