Speaker(s):

Gage Herrington, MA, LPC

Kelli Verble, MSW, LMSW

Presentation: This presentation will cover our experience of implementing a Superhero Therapy group in a forensic hospital setting. Superhero Therapy, created by Janina Scarlet, PhD., uses pop culture figures such as Superman or Harry Potter as a means of exploring concepts central to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy such as mindfulness and thought diffusion. It has been found to be effective in treating both trauma-related symptoms as well as an array of emotional disorders. We will also explore patient perceptions on this treatment, challenges faced, and our outcomes.

Objectives:

  1. Identify ways to incorporate heroic archetypes and pop-culture references in therapy
  2. Describe benefits of using cultural references to describe psychological concepts in therapy
  3. Discuss how creating an origin story can assist clients in identifying personal vulnerabilities and strengths.