Understanding our mental health has been a priority for many people over the past year, including Eric Davis, a parade support cast member at the Disneyland Resort. This past year, while Eric worked with a therapist through Disney’s free Employee Assistance Program, he also discovered that he wants to become a therapist himself.
“I’ve always been go, go, go,” Eric explained. “During the pandemic, I was able to finally stop and reflect and say, ‘OK, what do I want to do when I grow up?’” A particularly insightful session with his therapist led to a lightbulb moment. “She stopped mid-session and said, ‘Wait. Have you thought about doing this as a career?’” Eric recalled. “I was sort of blindsided but then I thought about it and it actually sounded like a perfect fit.”
Just a few weeks later, Eric enrolled to get his master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Brandman University through Disney Aspire, Disney’s educational investment program for hourly cast members. Eric was able to start his program online last fall and is on track to graduate in 2024. With the support of his leadership at Disney and his friends and family, Eric finally feels like he’s on the right path.
Eric’s journey with mental health has helped inform his personal style as a future therapist and he’s especially looking forward to being a safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community. “My therapist told me that there’s not enough LGBTQ+ therapists or enough male therapists,” Eric said. “By bringing my authentic self into my practice, I’m going to be able to help so many people because I will be a resource that doesn’t exist right now.”
In the meantime, Eric will continue to advocate for mental health and the resources available through Disney to his fellow cast members. “Our mental health is just as important as our physical health,” Eric shared. “It’s essential to make sure cast members know to take advantage of the resources the company offers and take time for themselves.”
