Superhero Therapy: An Evidence-based Approach for Anxiety, Depression and PTSD

This is a 6 hour On Demand Webinar. Access information, resources and CEU information will be available immediately after successful registration and registrants will be given unlimited access to the recording for a full year.

This webinar was broadcasted live on Friday, December 3, and Saturday, December 4, 2021

Already registered? Click here to access CEU information, handouts and recordings.

It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Superhero Therapy! This revolutionary, evidence-based therapy uses elements of popular culture to help de-stigmatize clients’ mental health experiences.

In the age of the rapidly rising mental health crisis, we need to make mental health accessible and relatable. People around the world are struggling with anxiety, depression and PTSD. Yet, most either don’t know how to process their traumatic experiences or are shamed for trying. As a result, many people might suppress their emotions as well as their own voices.

Numerous empirical studies demonstrate the evidence of adverse psychological effects of invalidation, emotional abuse, and emotion suppression. Popular culture — superheroes! — can be used as a bridge for understanding and skill building. This allows clients to feel understood, making it safer for them to process their mental health experiences.

Worldwide fascination with superheroes from Star Wars, Harry Potter, Wonder Woman, and the Avengers is popular for a very good reason. These stories allow people to feel less alone; to be more supported. For decades now, such films, books, and TV shows have reflected people’s mental health struggles, including PTSD, grief, anxiety, and depression.

Superhero Therapy (ST) incorporates elements of popular culture into evidence-based therapy as a way of destigmatizing the client’s mental health experience. This training focuses on how to use Superhero Therapy to help clients feel understood and supported and expand their emotional vocabulary. You’ll also learn how to assist the client in becoming their own version of a superhero in real life (IRL), fostering posttraumatic growth. No previous experience with popular culture necessary! Capes are optional.

By the end of this training, attendees will be better able to —

  • List at least 3 psychological benefits of Superhero Therapy
  • List at least 2 ways that Superhero Therapy can be implemented into treating PTSD and anxiety disorders
  • Create a clinical treatment plan using Superhero Therapy
  • Demonstrate the implementation of fanfiction exercises in Superhero Therapy

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 and immigrated to the United States at the age of 12 with her family. Later, Dr. Scarlet was inspired by the X-Men and 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, the Nerdist, BuzzFeed and others. She was also portrayed as a comic book character in Gail Simone’s Seven Days graphic novel.

Dr. Scarlet currently works at the Center for Stress and Anxiety Management in San Diego. She has authored Superhero TherapyHarry Potter Therapy, Dark Agents, Super-Women, among others.

Day 1 – Focus on Young Adults, Adults

TimeTopic Covered
First 90 mins
  • Introduction to Superhero Therapy and working with adult clients, Research related to Superhero Therapy, psychological benefits of superhero therapy, Origin Story exercise, Superhero Therapy model
15 Minute Break
Last 90 mins
  • Clinical treatment planning using Superhero Therapy, incorporating Superhero Therapy to treat PTSD and anxiety in adults

Day 2 – Focus on Children, Teens

TimeTopic Covered
First 90 mins
  • Working with teen clients – Introduction to game-based therapy, using YouTube/TikTok in treatment, cosplay as a therapy power-up
15 Minute Break
Last 90 mins
  • Fanfiction writing as a tool to help teens work through anxiety and trauma, using fictional role models to inspire change and create emotional safety

This training offers 6 hours of direct contact (not counting breaks or lunch). It is the participant’s responsibility to check with their individual state boards/regulatory body to verify CE requirements for their license to practice.

For Live Broadcast Attendees

Webinar attendance by participants is automatically tracked, documented and archived for future reference. Upon confirming you have attended 100% of the webinar and upon completion of a course evaluation, you will be issued a certificate of participation (see below).

For Attendees of On Demand/Recorded Version

If you cannot verify 100% attendance of the Live Broadcast or if you are watching the On Demand/recorded version of this webinar, you will need to complete a Post-Webinar Quiz with a pass of at least 80% in order to verify your attendance.

For US Participants

  • Instructions on how obtaining your Certificate of Attendance will be distributed either upon completion of the Live Broadcast or after participants pass the Post-Webinar Quiz following the On Demand recorded version of the webinar.

For more general info about CEs for US Participants, please click here.  

For Canadian and International participants

Upon fulfillment of the above requirements, Canadian and international participants will be issued a Certificate of Participation which features:

  • Name of Participant
  • Title of Training
  • Name of Presenter plus their credentials
  • Number of hours of training
  • Date of training
  • Confirmation that you have passed a quiz with at least 80% grade to verify your attendance

Please check carefully with your regulating body/organization that this certificate is sufficient proof for you to claim CEUs.

For general information about Continuing Education for Canadians and International participants, please click here.  

This training is aimed at all mental health professionals including:

  • social workers
  • counsellors
  • psychologists
  • psychiatrists
  • medical professionals supporting mental health patients
  • psychotherapists
  • mental health counsellors
  • marriage and family therapists and counsellors
  • occupational therapists
  • vocational rehabilitation therapists
  • addiction counsellors
  • religious counsellors
  • therapists
  • case managers
  • art therapists
  • licensed professional counsellors
  • all other professionals who would like to develop, update or expand their skills and knowledge in mental health practices
6 Hour Webinar RateCAD $239.00 / USD $190

All pricing is in CAD$. The USD$ equivalent is about 30% less than CAD$, click here to estimate webinar rate before taxes in your local currency.