Using Superheroes and Villains in Counseling and Play Therapy: A Guide for Mental Health Professionals

Description

Through rich and research-grounded clinical applications, Using Superheroes and Villains in Counseling and Play Therapy explores creative techniques for integrating superhero stories and metaphors in clinical work with children, adolescents, adults and families. Each chapter draws on the latest empirically supported approaches and techniques to address a wide range of clinical challenges in individual, family and group settings. The chapters also explore important contextual issues of race, gender, culture, age and ethnicity and provide case studies and practical tips that clinicians can use to support clients on their healing journey. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of contents About the Editor About the Contributors Foreword Introduction: Superheroes, Past, Present and Future References Part I Superheroes, Super Theories Chapter 1 Flourishing After the Origin Story: Using Positive Psychology to Explore Well-being in Superheroes and ... Powering Up with Positive Psychology! Positive Emotion: World Domination is Overrated Engagement: The Superpower of Flow Positive Relationships: The Sidekicks Who Teach Us about Love Meaning: The Superhero Mission Accomplishment: Hanging Up the Cape for the Day Job Unlocking Our Powers Through the VIA Inventory of Strengths Strengths-Based Interventions Strengths-Spotting: Using Super Strengths Vision Supergroups: Character Strengths in Numbers Subtract a Signature Strength: When Superman Loses His Powers Overusing and Underusing Strengths: Finding a Balance of Power Using Your Superpowers in New Ways: The Sorting Hat Ceremony Personal Reflections Conclusion Questions for Clinical Discussion References Chapter 2 Alter Egos and Hidden Strengths: The Powers of Superheroes in Child-Centered Play Therapy Introduction Child-Centered Play Therapy Character Analyses America Under Attack: The Boy Who Saves Us In a Flash: Saved by the Boy Next Door Iron Man: Heroes Are Not Born, They Are Built Minority Uprising: An Ongoing Revolution Supergirl: The Sister and the Fighter Wonder Woman: No Men Allowed Case Applications When Supervillains Come to Play Personal Reflections Conclusion Questions for Clinical Discussion References Chapter 3 Control, Corruption, and Destruction, Oh My!: The Role of Villains in Experiential Play Therapy® Experimental Play Therapy® What Defines a Traumatic Event? The Four S’s The Villain’s Pursuit Examples from the Playroom The Case Conceptualization of Jackson Summary of Case Conceptualization Conclusion Questions for Clinical Discussion References Chapter 4 The Healing Power of Superhero Stories: Bibliotherapy and Comic Books What is Bibliotherapy? Comic Books as a Third Voice Superhero Comics The Monomyth Model and the Movement from Conflict to Solution Superheroes as Symbolic Characters Hyperbole as an Emotional Metaphor First Case Study: a Reading of Batman: The Killing Joke Second Case Study: the Experience of the Reader Third Case Study: Father’s Monster is Inside of Me Conclusions and Thoughts on Transference in Bibliotherapy Questions for Clinical Discussion References Part II Using Heroes and Superheroes to Treat Specific Disorders Chapter 5 I Like Them Because They Are Fast and Strong: The Use of Superheroes in Play Therapy with a Latency-Age Boy ... Developmental Coordination Disorder Play Therapy as a Modality to Support Children with DCD Case Vignette: Ben Discussion Questions for Clinical Discussion References Chapter 6 Using Spidey Senses During the Storm of Anxiety Anxiety and Parasocial Relationships Storm and Specific Phobia Case Study: “Katrina” Storm Reason for Referral and Presenting Problem Psychosocial, Developmental and Medical History Case Conceptualization and Treatment Plan Katrina’s Treatment Spidey Senses and Anxiety Management Case Study: “Jared” Reason for Referral Psychosocial, Developmental and Medical History Case Conceptualization and Treatment Plan Jared’s Treatment Personal Reflections Origin Story Exercise Conclusion Questions for Clinical Discussion References Chapter 7 Superhero or Villain? Merging Play Therapy with CBT for Children with Autism The Impact of Autism on Play and Development Social Skill Development Pathological Demand Avoidance and How to Work With it Superhero and Villain Play through the Lens of Symbolic Interactionism Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Children with Autism The B in CBT The Zones of Regulation Trauma- Focused CBT Triangle of Life Game Incorporating Superhero CBT Play with Lego therapy Application of Superhero and Villain Play with CBT Ricky Josh Stevie Conclusions Questions for Clinical Discussions Acknowledgments References Chapter 8 Superheroes and Villains in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorder Introduction Narrative Therapy Using Narrative Therapy in SUD Counseling The Metaphor of the Villain and Hero in Substance Use Treatment SUD Villain and Recovery Superhero Activity Basic Information Physical Appearance Unique Features Weapons, Gadgets, and Vehicles Partners, sidekicks, and henchmen Powers Weaknesses Motivation Symbol Case Example Other Ways of Using Superheroes and Villains in SUD Treatment Questions for Clinical Discussion References Part III Strength in Numbers: Superhero Teams Chapter 9 I Can Be a Super Friend!: Using Scripted Story to Promote Social Emotional Skills for Young Children with ... Introduction The Challenge Practical Application: Introducing I Can Be a Super Friend! Practical Application: Early Care and Education Programs Practical Application: Individual and Family Personal Reflections Conclusion Questions for Clinical Discussion References Chapter 10 Stronger Together: The Family as a Super Hero Team Systems Theory/Family Therapy Structural and Strategic Family Therapy Narrative Therapy Blending Therapies into Hero Stories Summary/Conclusion Questions for Clinical Discussion References Chapter 11 El Diablo: What His Role in the Suicide Squad Teaches Children about Emotion Regulation and the Power of ... El Diablo: From Baby to Brotherhood The Case of Connor Treatment Phase 1: Family Therapy and Assessment Treatment Phase 2: Assessment and Rapport Building Using Play Therapy Treatment Phase 3: Skill Building and Healing with Play Therapy— El Diablo’s Debut Treatment Phase 4: Implementation of Other Interventions Treatment Phase 5: Parental Role and Maintenance Planning Personal Reflections Questions for Clinical Discussion References Chapter 12 Using the Avengers to Influence the Self-Actualization Process for Children The Superhero Narrative Stan Lee’s Superhero Creation Appreciating the Hero Identification with the Superhero Self-Actualization Child-Centered Therapy The Avengers’ Flaws Iron Man Captain America Hulk Thor Hawkeye Black Widow Case Study of Elliott* Conclusion Questions for Clinical Discussion Part IV Villains Rise to the Challenge of Helping Chapter 13 No Joking Matter—Villains are People, Too: Working with the School Bully Villains are People Too Bullying: What It Is and What It’s Not Definition of Bullying Brief Facts and Statistics Common Themes Labeling and the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy Learned Behaviors Psychosocial and Emotional Factors Supportive Interventions Adlerian Play Therapy Child-Centered Play Therapy Blending Adlerian and Child-Centered Play Therapy Methods Case Study Mike Mike’s First Session Sessions 2 to 3 Mike’s Game Plan Session 4 Following Sessions Introducing Super Heroes and Villains into the Playroom Summary of Mike’s Sessions Activities Involved Throughout Mike’s Sessions Conclusion Questions for Clinical Discussion References Appendix A: Play Therapy Game Plan Appendix B: Super Powered Play Therapy Ideas Chapter 14 Brain Food: Integrating IPNB and Zombies with Diverse Populations Introduction Theoretical Discussion Case Discussion: Clinical Vignette Mine Up Zombies Are Real: Teens and Group Setting Group Format Interactive Interventions Outcome Personal Reflections Questions for Clinical Discussion References Chapter 15 How Secrets Influenced Relationships for Harry Potter Heroes and Villains: Parallels in Contextual Family ... Contextual Therapy and the Ethics in Relationships Harry Potter: The Boy Who Lived (Through Multiple Traumas) Ambition and Jealousy: Draco Malfoy’s Achilles’ Heels Righteousness and Revenge: The Redemption of Severus Snape The Killing Curse and the Curse of Killing: Voldemort’s Rise and Undoing Applications in Counseling Conclusions Questions for Clinical Discussion References PART V Superheroes at the Intersection Chapter 16 Female Superheroes: Raising a New Generation of Girls and Boys Disempowered Women Power of Positive Representation Effects of Strong Female Representation on Boys Case Studies Wayne Jason Personal Reflections Conclusion Questions for Clinical Discussion Chapter 17 Beyond Canon: Therapeutic Fanfiction and the Queer Hero’s Journey Enter the Queerdom Mapping the Story Modern Mythologies Fandom Attachment Heals A Unified Field Theory of Geek Narrative Therapy Case Study: Heroic Self-Acceptance Personal Reflections Conclusion Questions for Clinical Discussion Afterword Index