Using Superheroes and Villains in Counseling and Play Therapy A Guide for Mental Health Professionals

Through rich and research-grounded clinical applications, Using Superheroes and Villains in Counseling and Play Therapy explores creative techniques for integrating superhero stories and metaphors in clinical work with children, adolescents, adults and families. Each chapter draws on the latest empirically supported approaches and techniques to address a wide range of clinical challenges in individual, family and group settings. The chapters also explore important contextual issues of race, gender, culture, age and ethnicity and provide case studies and practical tips that clinicians can use to support clients on their healing journey.

About the Editor About the Contributors Foreword: Superheroes Matter, Villains Too Josué Cardona Introduction: Superheroes, Past, Present and Future Lawrence C. Rubin PartI Superheroes, Super Theories 1. Flourishing After the Origin Story: Using Positive Psychology to Explore Well-being in Superheroes and Supervillains Sophia Ansari and Christina M. Scott 2. Alter Egos and Hidden Strengths: The Powers of Superheroes in Child-Centered Play Therapy LaTrice L. Dowtin 3. Control, Corruption, and Destruction, Oh My! The Role of Villains in Experiential Play Therapy® Justin D. Kruse and Joyce Arendt 4. The Healing Power of Superhero Stories: Bibliotherapy and Comic Books Yoav Cohen-Manor PartII Using Heroes and Superheroes to Treat Specific Disorders 5. I Like Them Because They Are Fast and Strong: The Use of Superheroes in Play Therapy with a Latency-Age Boy with Developmental Coordination Disorder Aimee Loth Rozum 6. Using Spidey Senses During the Storm of Anxiety Janina Scarlet 7. Superhero or Villain? Merging Play Therapy with CBT for Children with Autism Roz Casey 8. Superheroes and Villains in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorder Michael Smith and Carol Kirby PartIII Strength in Numbers: Superhero Teams 9. I Can Be a Super Friend! Using Scripted Story to Promote Social Emotional Skills for Young Children with Problem Behaviors Judith Lester 10. Stronger Together: The Family as a Super Hero Team Steve Kuniak 11. El Diablo: What His Role in the Suicide Squad Teaches Children about Emotion Regulation and the Power of Connection Rachel Hutnick 12. Using the Avengers to Influence the Self-Actualization Process for Children Brenna Hicks PartIV Villains Rise to the Challenge of Helping 13. No Joking Matter—Villains are People, Too: Working with the School Bully Meredith Nealy Starling 14. Brain Food: Integrating IPNB & Zombies with Diverse Populations Robyn Joy Park 15. How Secrets Influenced Relationships for Harry Potter Heroes and Villains: Parallels in Contextual Family Therapy Sarah D. Stauffer and April D. Pachuta PartV Superheroes at the Intersection 16. Female Superheroes: Raising a New Generation of Girls and Boys Lara Taylor Kester 17. Beyond Canon: Therapeutic Fanfiction and the Queer Hero’s Journey Larisa A. Garski and Justine Mastin 18. The Black Panther Lives: Marveling at the Internal Working Models of Self in Young Black Children Through Play LaTrice L. Dowtin and Mawule A. Sevon 19. Un-Masking the Alter Ego: Fear and Freedom in the Affirmation of the Inner Hero Kory Martin Afterword Lawrence C. Rubin Index

Lawrence C. Rubin, PhD, ABPP, LMHC, RPT-S, is a Professor of Counselor Education at St. Thomas University, where he directs the Mental Health Counseling Program, and an Adjunct Professor of Counselor Education at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. He maintains a private practice as a psychologist, counselor, and play therapist, specializing in children, teens and families, and is widely published on the subjects of counseling and popular culture. Dr. Rubin is also the editor of Psychotherapy.net.