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The Real Superheroes

What you can learn from Harry Potter, the X-Men, and more.

Fantasies
Why Truth Is Harder Than Fiction

Janina Scarlet Ph.D. on February 15, 2021

Why is it so hard for most of us to be honest about how we feel or what we are going through? Most of us have been carefully taught to follow a precise socially-accepted script.

Why is it so hard for most of us to be honest about how we feel or what we are going through? Most of us have been carefully taught to follow a precise socially-accepted script.

Imposter Syndrome
I Am Not Good Enough: Managing Imposter Syndrome

Janina Scarlet Ph.D. on October 2, 2020

Have you ever felt like you are an imposter? Like everyone else knows more than you and is more capable than you? If so, you might be struggling with Imposter Syndrome.

Have you ever felt like you are an imposter? Like everyone else knows more than you and is more capable than you? If so, you might be struggling with Imposter Syndrome.

Bias
Standing Against Racism

Janina Scarlet Ph.D. on June 7, 2020

“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him it is right.”

“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him it is right.”

Attention
Wonder Woman’s Origin Story

Janina Scarlet Ph.D. on January 9, 2020

One word comes to mind when thinking about Wonder Woman: empowered. But even Wonder Woman feels "not good enough" sometimes.

One word comes to mind when thinking about Wonder Woman: empowered. But even Wonder Woman feels "not good enough" sometimes.

Loneliness
All the Lonely People

Janina Scarlet Ph.D. on August 22, 2019

A car honk. An angry driver. People yelling obscenities through their rolled-up windows. And through it all, feeling the soul-ripping, devastating effects of loneliness.

A car honk. An angry driver. People yelling obscenities through their rolled-up windows. And through it all, feeling the soul-ripping, devastating effects of loneliness.

Trauma
Catwoman and Post-Traumatic Growth

Janina Scarlet Ph.D. on May 9, 2019

Catwoman is one of the most fascinating DC characters. Sometimes she is a hero, sometimes a villain. One thing is for certain, Catwoman plays by her own rules.

Catwoman is one of the most fascinating DC characters. Sometimes she is a hero, sometimes a villain. One thing is for certain, Catwoman plays by her own rules.

Attention
Surviving Real Life Horrors

Janina Scarlet Ph.D. on October 29, 2018

My family and I are refugees. We moved to the United States to escape violence related to being Jewish. Last Saturday, my heart shattered.

My family and I are refugees. We moved to the United States to escape violence related to being Jewish. Last Saturday, my heart shattered.

Health
Mental Health Representation Matters

Janina Scarlet Ph.D. on September 6, 2018

Perspective taking can foster empathy building and compassion toward others. Diagnosing characters or people therapists have not met does not.

Perspective taking can foster empathy building and compassion toward others. Diagnosing characters or people therapists have not met does not.

Grief
Overcoming the Pain of Disconnection

Janina Scarlet Ph.D. on September 4, 2018

Many of us experienced rejection, heartbreak, and loss. How can we cope with a devastating loss of connection when it might feel like we're dying?

Many of us experienced rejection, heartbreak, and loss. How can we cope with a devastating loss of connection when it might feel like we're dying?

Friends
How Harry Potter Fandom Changed My Life

Janina Scarlet Ph.D. on June 7, 2018

I was going through one of the most excruciating years of my life, and I wasn't sure how I was going to get through it when Harry Potter Fandom changed my life.

I was going through one of the most excruciating years of my life, and I wasn't sure how I was going to get through it when Harry Potter Fandom changed my life.

Suicide
How an Emoji Can Save a Life

Janina Scarlet Ph.D. on May 3, 2018

Most people report that they are not comfortable asking their loved ones for help when they are going through depression or are having suicidal thoughts. Emojis can help.

Most people report that they are not comfortable asking their loved ones for help when they are going through depression or are having suicidal thoughts. Emojis can help.

Depression
Battling Your Inner Dragons

Janina Scarlet Ph.D. on July 27, 2017

Some people get up and go to work. Other people have to fight a dragon to get there. Or a series of dragons—the dragons of depression or anxiety.

Some people get up and go to work. Other people have to fight a dragon to get there. Or a series of dragons—the dragons of depression or anxiety.

Empathy
Wonder Woman Psychology

Janina Scarlet Ph.D. on June 5, 2017

Did you see "Wonder Woman" in the theatre yet? Wonder what made it so powerful? Here are some of the psychology concepts shown in the film.

Did you see "Wonder Woman" in the theatre yet? Wonder what made it so powerful? Here are some of the psychology concepts shown in the film.

Fantasies
Superhero Therapy—Healing through fiction

Janina Scarlet Ph.D. on May 11, 2017

Do you enjoy reading fiction, watching fantasy or science fiction TV shows, or reading Superhero comics? What if these have a potential to help us better manage our mental health?

Do you enjoy reading fiction, watching fantasy or science fiction TV shows, or reading Superhero comics? What if these have a potential to help us better manage our mental health?

Grief
Managing Grief With Harry Potter

Janina Scarlet Ph.D. on March 5, 2017

We go through many losses in life. It's hard to manage when we are dealing alone. By connecting with friends or fictional characters we might be able to better manage our loss.

We go through many losses in life. It's hard to manage when we are dealing alone. By connecting with friends or fictional characters we might be able to better manage our loss.

Trauma
I Wanted to Be Superman. I Failed.

Janina Scarlet Ph.D. on February 23, 2017

Did you ever want to be a Superhero? Did you ever connect with fictional characters in a meaningful way? There might be a therapeutic reason for this.

Did you ever want to be a Superhero? Did you ever connect with fictional characters in a meaningful way? There might be a therapeutic reason for this.