Mental Health Representation Matters

Many of us like talking about pop culture, whether it’s comics, TV shows, movies, books, or video games. For those of us in the mental health field (and for many outside of this field), it may be fun to occasionally speculate about a fictional character’s psychological perspective. Perspective taking can actually help foster  empathy building and compassion toward others. However, diagnosing characters or people whom therapists have not evaluated in a session can be risky. Continue reading Mental Health Representation Matters

The Kilgrave Effect: Why people don’t report their rapists

*Parts of this post previously appeared on the Legion of Leia

Jessica Jones, a popular Marvel superhero is known not only for her physical strength but also for her psychological resilience. Years after she gains her superpowers, Jessica is psychologically manipulated by an evil villain, Kilgrave (A.K.A. Purple Man). Kilgrave uses his influence over Jessica to force her into a sexual relationship with him, as well as to force her to do things she normally would not do. Continue reading The Kilgrave Effect: Why people don’t report their rapists

The Guide to Battling Inner Dragons for the Modern Geek

Some people get up and go to work. Other people have to fight a dragon to get there. Or a series of dragons. Not real dragons, of course. Metaphoric ones – the dragons of despairing depression and agonizing anxiety, the dragons that burn us with shame about our supposed “not-good-enoughness” at the pit of our stomach. Those dragons.

Continue reading The Guide to Battling Inner Dragons for the Modern Geek

Wonder Woman Psychology

Last night I saw “Wonder Woman” in the movie theatre. I already had high expectations of it from all the hype and the movie surpassed all of them. Here is why:

Warning: some spoilers to follow

Continue reading Wonder Woman Psychology

Superhero Therapy book signing

Last week I was able to attend the Book Expo and Book Con in New York City. I was asked to give a talk at Book Expo and did a book signing at Book Con. It went better than I ever imagined. The book signing was only supposed to last an hour but people kept lining up, with the line weaving around several rows. It ended up lasting over an hour and a half. I wanted to stay as long as possible to sign everyone’s book and give everyone hugs who wanted them. It was such a moving experience, which left me in happy tears. Thank you so much for all your support, my heroes!

Continue reading Superhero Therapy book signing

Superhero Therapy trailer

I am so honored and excited to reveal the trailer for “Superhero Therapy” – it is more than a book. It is a movement. Thank you all for being my Superheroes and for making this happen. Let’s be heroes together. Today and every day.

This is your greatest Superpower

Do any of these sound familiar?

“Why do you always take everything so seriously?”

“You are too sensitive!”

“You don’t even know that person, why do you care what happens to them?”

Continue reading This is your greatest Superpower

This is what a refugee looks like

 

“No one can know, you understand? You can’t tell anyone.” My mother told me.

I was 10.

I didn’t understand everything but I did know that I had to keep it a secret or we wouldn’t be able to leave. Or worse.

Continue reading This is what a refugee looks like