Using Superheroes in Counseling and Play Therapy

Lawrence C. Rubin, PhD, LMHC, RPT-S, is a Professor of Counselor Education at St. Thomas University in Miami, where he also coordinates the Mental Health Counseling training program. He is a psychotherapist in private practice where he works with children, adolescents, and families, providing assessment, counseling, and play therapy. Dr. Rubin is a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor and current president of the Florida Association for Play Therapy.

• ContributorsForeword, John Shelton Lawrence, Morningside College, EmeritusPrefaceAcknowledgmentsSection I: Traditional Superheroes in Counseling and Play TherapyIntroduction: Look, Up in the Sky! An Introduction to the Use of Superheroes in Psychotherapy, Lawrence C. RubinSuperheroes in Therapy: Uncovering Children's Secret Identities, Robert J. PorterWhat Would Superman Do? Cory A. NelsonSuperheroes and Sandplay: Using the Archetype through the Healing Journey, William McNultyThe Incredible Hulk and Emotional Literacy, Jennifer Mendoza SayersSection II: Superheroes and Unique Clinical ApplicationsHoly Franchise! Batman and Trauma, Michael Brody, Making a Place for the Angry Hero on the Team, Harry LivesayA Super Millieu: Using Superheroes in the Residential Treatment of Adolescents with Sexual Behavior Problems, Karen Robertie, Ryan Weidenbenner, Leya Barrett, and Robert PooleSuperheroes are Super Friends: Developing Social Skills and Emotional Reciprocity with Autism Spectrum Clients, Patty ScanlonSuperheroes in Play Therapy with an Attachment Disordered Child, Carmela WengerLuke, I Am Your Father! A Clinical Application of the Star Wars Adoption Narrative, Lawrence C. RubinSection III: Non-Traditional Therapeutic Applications of SuperheroesBecoming the Hero: The Use of Role-Playing Games in Psychotherapy, George EnfieldTo Boldly Go! Star Trek Superheroes in Therapy, Jeff PickensHypnosis and Superheroes, Jan BurteHeroes Who Learn to Love Their Monsters: How Fantasy Film Characters Can Inspire the Journey of Individuation for Gay and Lesbian Clients in Psychotherapy, Roger KaufmanAfterwordAppendix

There is something democratic about a therapy that can respond empathically to the experiences that patients enjoy and feel that they understand emotionally. - From the Foreword by John Shelton Lawrence, Morningside College, Emeritus