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

Overcoming the pain of disconnection

Two weeks ago my best friend of 17 years permanently removed me and over 70 other people from their life. There was no warning. There were neither signs nor conflicts leading up to this. There wasn’t an opportunity for a discussion, an agreement, or closure.

Sometimes loss has no rational explanation. Sometimes an end of a friendship, relationship, job or career, can feel like a part of us died. Jim Butcher, the author of the best-selling Dresden Files, describes a scenario in which his main protagonist, Harry Dresden, a wizard/private investigator discusses heartbreak as if someone’s soul is being ripped apart with a barbed wire on the inside.  Continue reading Overcoming the pain of disconnection

Defining Your Origin Story

When Bruce Wayne’s parents are murdered in a dark alley, his life is forever changed by this tragedy. Bruce spends many years of his life and many of his resources to become Batman, the hero of Gotham City, to ensure that no one suffers the same fate he does. Similarly, when T’Challa witnesses the death of his father in Vienna, he elects to fight for his right to become the Black Panther, in order to protect the people of Wakanda from travesty and invasion.

Although these stories are fictional, they demonstrate how we may be able to use our origin stories to develop a narrative to become our version of a Superhero in real life (IRL).

Continue reading Defining Your Origin Story

Becoming Incredible in the Face of Evil

The world in which children are ripped apart from their parents for running away from war and torture, a world in which the US pulls out of the UN Human Rights Council, a world in which children are being put into concentration camps and workers aren’t allowed to comfort them needs Superheroes now more than ever.

Continue reading Becoming Incredible in the Face of Evil

Around the world in 16 days

I am so incredibly grateful to each and everyone of you for all your support and for believing in me and in Superhero Therapy.

This past month has been magical. I have been able to visit four different countries in 16 days – Germany, Italy, Ireland, and England, in order to train mental health professionals in how to conduct Superhero Therapy and advocate for mental health destigmatization via pop culture.

Continue reading Around the world in 16 days

How an emoji can save a life

Most people report that they are not comfortable asking their loved ones for help when they are going through a bout of depression and/or are having suicidal thoughts. Some people report that they are afraid that their loved ones will judge them for reaching out, while others report that they don’t know how to ask for the support that they need.  Continue reading How an emoji can save a life

EuroTour and Pay-It-Forward

Next month I will set off on my first official Europe book tour during which I will be presenting workshops to mental health professionals on Superhero Therapy and Therapy Quest.

Here are the tour details:

Continue reading EuroTour and Pay-It-Forward