Psychology of Hermione Granger

This post originally appeared in The Mary Sue

It’s September. For many students around the world school is back in session. It seems to also be the perfect month to talk about one of the most magical schools of all time, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and one of its most inspirational witches: Hermione Granger.

Continue reading Psychology of Hermione Granger

Supernatural, Harry Potter, & depression

This year at the San Diego Comic Con I was extremely honored to be able to interview the cast of Supernatural, among them Jared Padalecki, one of the leading actors on that television series. Padalecki recently opened up about his struggles with depression and started the Always Keep Fighting Campaign, intended to spread awareness.

Continue reading Supernatural, Harry Potter, & depression

Psychology of Batgirl

There have been a number of heroic women who took it upon themselves to protect the city of Gotham as Batgirl. Among the first of these was Betty Kane, who was Bat-Girl (initially hyphenated, similarly to Spider-Man). Others, such as Helena Bertinelli (also known as the Huntress), also at one point put on the bat suit. However, the best-known superhero behind Batgirl is Barbara Gordon.

Continue reading Psychology of Batgirl

Psychology of Jean Grey

I’m always Jean. And I’m always the Phoenix. I died. I scattered in a trillion directions. And then started to pull together again, outside the White Hot Room. But I’m starting to see now. Parts of me… Parts of me never came home.

Jean Grey-Summers (X-Men: Phoenix Endsong Vol 13)

Warning: spoilers for X-Men ahead.

Continue reading Psychology of Jean Grey

Psychology of Veronica Mars

If you’re a fellow Veronica Mars fan (a Marshmallow), then as soon as you saw the title picture, you probably started singing the theme song in your head:

“A long time ago, we used to be friends

But I haven’t thought of you lately at all…”

What makes this show so epic even years after it’s been cancelled? Simple – it touches on important life struggles of many young people.

Warning: Spoilers for Veronica Mars follow.

Continue reading Psychology of Veronica Mars

Magic ACT in Terry Brooks’ Landover

A guest post by Jay Scarlet

I’ve recently been re-reading a number of books by Terry Brooks, in part to refresh my memory ahead of the upcoming adaption of his Shannara series on MTV (so excited!!), in part out of a desire to revisit some of the books I had loved while growing up. In addition to Shannara books, I also read Magic Kingdom for Sale – Sold! for the first time in probably 20-25 years.

Continue reading Magic ACT in Terry Brooks’ Landover

Psychology of ‘Inside Out’

‘Inside Out’ is a movie I’d been waiting for a year to see and, once again, Pixar did not disappoint. This is a movie I’m going to be assigning to many of my patients and doctoral students as a way to demonstrate important psychological principles.

Warning: some spoilers of the movie ahead

Continue reading Psychology of ‘Inside Out’

When a family member is suicidal – it can happen to anyone… it happened to me

When I woke up on Friday something felt wrong. It felt as if someone punched me in the gut repeatedly. Despair. Pushing away these emotions without taking the time to figure out why I was feeling them nor taking the time to provide myself with the compassion and comfort that I needed, I headed to Camp Pendleton, where I focused on my clients with PTSD.

Continue reading When a family member is suicidal – it can happen to anyone… it happened to me

Why being a geek is good for you

“Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery.”

J. K. Rowling

 I recently had the tremendous honor of attending, giving a keynote speech, and presenting a panel at MISTI-Con, a Harry Potter-themed conference that takes place once every two years. It was marvelous. Between the enchanted ball, the wicked murder mystery dinner, and the magical people that attended the con and put it together, it was an unbelievable experience.

Continue reading Why being a geek is good for you

Psychology of Juliette (Grimm)

This post initially appeared on The Mary Sue.

Juliette Silverton (played by Bitsie Tulloch) was initially the romantic partner to Nick Burkhardt, the leading character of the series and a Grimm. The Grimm’s job is to fight and destroy the Wesen, the humans who are also (to some extent) shape shifters, allowing them special abilities.

Continue reading Psychology of Juliette (Grimm)