Sophia Ansari – Superheroes and Pop Culture in Therapy for Children and Adolescents

Outline

Why Superheroes? Clinically Relevant Themes in Comic books, Movies and TV ShowsWhy Superheroes? Clinically Relevant Themes in Comic books, Movies and TV Shows

• The rise of superheroes in therapyThe rise of superheroes in therapy
• ”Geek Therapy” and geek culture”Geek Therapy” and geek culture
• The latest research on geek therapy in mental healthThe latest research on geek therapy in mental health
• Therapeutic alliance: Build trust, security, and vocabulary through their interestsTherapeutic alliance: Build trust, security, and vocabulary through their interests

Assessment Tools: Harnessing the “Superpowers” of Passion, Purpose and PlayfulnessAssessment Tools: Harnessing the “Superpowers” of Passion, Purpose and Playfulness

• Exploratory questionsExploratory questions
• Strengths-spotting survey and activitiesStrengths-spotting survey and activities
• Promote engagement with “Fantasy” exercisesPromote engagement with “Fantasy” exercises
• Draw a superhero to assess coping strategiesDraw a superhero to assess coping strategies
• Identify resources and obstacles with superhero gadget interventionsIdentify resources and obstacles with superhero gadget interventions
• The sidekick intervention – identify advocates in kid’s livesThe sidekick intervention – identify advocates in kid’s lives

Treat Trauma through the Filter of Comic BooksTreat Trauma through the Filter of Comic Books

• Modalities – CBT, Bibliotherapy, Play Therapy, ACT and moreModalities – CBT, Bibliotherapy, Play Therapy, ACT and more
• Comic books and trauma narratives – help clients share trauma Comic books and trauma narratives – help clients share trauma
  • Choosing the appropriate story for the situationChoosing the appropriate story for the situation
  • Talking about trauma through the filter of comicsTalking about trauma through the filter of comics
• Trigger identification and coping skills exercises Trigger identification and coping skills exercises
  • The Bat Signal/Utility Belt exerciseThe Bat Signal/Utility Belt exercise
  • Moving stories technique – Sandtray playMoving stories technique – Sandtray play

Help Kids and Adolescents Face Anxiety Like a Superhero Help Kids and Adolescents Face Anxiety Like a Superhero

• Modalities – CBT, ACT, Exposure Therapy and Behavior TherapyModalities – CBT, ACT, Exposure Therapy and Behavior Therapy
• Labeling our villains – help kids understand how anxiety is affecting their livesLabeling our villains – help kids understand how anxiety is affecting their lives
• Build your clients readiness to face their worries and fears Build your clients readiness to face their worries and fears
  • Create a safe distance from fearsCreate a safe distance from fears
  • Heroes have dysfunctional behavior and cognitive distortions tooHeroes have dysfunctional behavior and cognitive distortions too
• Relating anxiety reduction techniques to superheroes Relating anxiety reduction techniques to superheroes
  • Improve self-esteem and decrease anxiety with SpidermanImprove self-esteem and decrease anxiety with Spiderman
  • Guided imagery with the BatmobileGuided imagery with the Batmobile

Depression: Manage Change, Conflict and Grief After LossDepression: Manage Change, Conflict and Grief After Loss

• Modalities – Interpersonal Psychotherapy, CBT, ACT, BibliotherapyModalities – Interpersonal Psychotherapy, CBT, ACT, Bibliotherapy
• How relatable characters and situations from fantasy can be incorporated into therapy for clients facing: How relatable characters and situations from fantasy can be incorporated into therapy for clients facing:
  • Social isolationSocial isolation
  • Conflicts in relationshipsConflicts in relationships
  • Change/relocationChange/relocation
  • Grief after lossGrief after loss
• Superhero mindfulness techniques for self-compassionSuperhero mindfulness techniques for self-compassion
• Harry Potter in the treatment of grieving children and adolescentsHarry Potter in the treatment of grieving children and adolescents

Disruptive Behavior Problems: Strategies to Reduce Disruptive Behavior Using Action Figures, TV Shows and MoreDisruptive Behavior Problems: Strategies to Reduce Disruptive Behavior Using Action Figures, TV Shows and More

• Modalities – Behavior Therapy, Play TherapyModalities – Behavior Therapy, Play Therapy
• Facilitate self-awareness through “personal archetypes”Facilitate self-awareness through “personal archetypes”
• Goal setting with the “superhero journey” metaphorGoal setting with the “superhero journey” metaphor
• Use the Hulk in play therapy to teach behavior management skillsUse the Hulk in play therapy to teach behavior management skills
• Level Up – how to use gaming metaphors in goal evaluationLevel Up – how to use gaming metaphors in goal evaluation
• Directive and non-directive play strategies to promote positive behavioral changeDirective and non-directive play strategies to promote positive behavioral change