Superhero Therapy: How We Can Cope with Ongoing Global Trauma

Guest Host Dr. Monica Hinton

Guest Dr. Janina Scarlet

Nearly 40% of trauma survivors drop out of therapy because they find it “too distressing.” Many also might struggle with being able to trust their therapist or find a way to express what they are going through. When trauma survivors turn to loved ones for support, many are invalidated or shamed about their reactions to their traumatic experiences. As a result, many trauma survivors experience pervasive feelings of loneliness.

Some scientists call loneliness the new epidemic, while others dub loneliness “The New Smoking.” Worldwide loneliness rates have skyrocketed prior to the COVID pandemic and continue to do so. In addition to the global spikes in suicide rates, loneliness has been found to negatively impact the human immune and cardiovascular system in a similar way as smoking a pack of cigarettes per day or daily alcohol abuse.

Hence, many trauma survivors turn to TV shows, books, movies, or video games for comfort as a way of managing loneliness and finding a sense of connection and belonging, especially when lacking these kinds of meaningful connections in real life. The connections that many trauma survivors forge with fictional TV shows, books, and video game characters can serve as meaningful social support systems. 

Many therapists and educators might believe that playing video games, reading comic books, and watching television shows are harmful to people’s well-being. Thus, many well-intentioned providers and/or family members might discourage and even criticize the trauma survivor’s reliance on fictional connections for comfort without realizing their potentially life-saving nature. 

However, more recent studies demonstrate that video games and television shows have helped people to better manage their mental health during the COVID pandemic, as well as during major life stressors, such as when undergoing a loss or a major surgery. Other studies show that popular culture can help people to become more compassionate, feel less lonely, and be more likely to engage in helping behaviors. This is where Superhero Therapy comes in.

Superhero Therapy (ST) refers to incorporating popular culture into evidence-based therapy (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, EMDR, DBT, and many others) to destigmatize the client’s mental health experience and promote engagement in treatment. Above all, Superhero Therapy aims to assist the client in becoming their own version of a superhero in real life (IRL), fostering posttraumatic growth and being more willing to engage in treatment-related practices. 

Capes are optional.

Dr. Janina Scarlet is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, author, TEDx speaker, and a full-time geek. A Ukrainian-born refugee, she survived Chernobyl radiation and persecution. She immigrated to the United States at the age of 12 with her family and later, inspired by the X-Men, developed Superhero Therapy to help patients with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Dr. Scarlet is the recipient of the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award by the United Nations Association for her work on Superhero Therapy.  Her work has been featured on Yahoo, BBC, NPR, Sunday Times, CNN, CW, ABC, The New York Times, Forbes, and many other outlets. She regularly consults on books and television shows, including HBO’s The Young Justice. She was also portrayed as a comic book character in Gail Simone’s Seven Days graphic novel. Dr. Scarlet is the Lead Trauma Specialist at the Center for Stress and Anxiety Management and with the Pop Culture Hero Coalition.

She authored ten books and has written chapters for fourteen others. Her books include Superhero Therapy, Harry Potter Therapy, Therapy Quest, Dark Agents, Super-Women,  It Shouldn’t Be This Way, and many others.