Bat Therapy: Mental Health through the Lens of Comics and Film

We discuss the comic Harleen, a beautifully illustrated telling of how Harley Quinn came to be. Psychiatrist and therapist to Arkham’s most infamous, Dr. Quinzel had the best of intentions. Sadly, she struggled to maintain healthy boundaries and ended up in her own downward spiral.

After the snap that eradicated 50% of life, Captain America has taken off his uniform and taken on the mantle of support group facilitator. We talk about the power of peer-to-peer connection and shared experiences as well as the struggle to provide support to others while also caring for your own needs during difficult times, particularly a time with many similarities to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It doesn’t matter what role this psychiatrist plays – scientist, mental health treater, chief of Arkham – his ethics are…questionable at best. We talk about what is behind Hugo Strange’s streak of mayhem and how conscientiousness may be a factor in why his obsessive nature results in being a villain rather than a hero.

Professor Charles Xavier is teacher, guardian, mentor, boss, leader, and…maybe therapist? With an MD in Psychiatry and a PhD “in Psychology” (we talk about how little that actually tells us), not to mention some powerful mind manipulation skills, it is important to understand the complications Professor X has with dual relationships and the ethics behind the practices he employs.

Before he was Scarecrow, one portrayal of Dr. Jonathan Crane is of a Jungian psychopharmacologist with a flair for the dramatic. We use Dr. Crane, Carmine Falcone, and Victor Zsasz to discuss competency to stand trial and not guilty by reason of insanity.

Dr. Christina Raynor (likely a clinical psychologist) has a therapeutic style that we love – using spunk and sarcasm to hold Bucky Barnes / the Winter Soldier’s feet to the fire in order to encourage him to grow and change. In this episode, we talk self-disclosure and the importance of a good fit between client and therapist.

Hear about our experiences recording our first season. Get a sneak peek at what’s coming, including a new outro theme for season 2!

Keeden went to San Diego Comic-Con! In this final episode of Season 1, your hosts talk psychology of nerds and cosplay.

This week, we compare the filming of Thor: Love & Thunder with processes that happen in psychotherapy. Listen in as we explore how the way we tell a story can impact how connected we feel to the characters.

Two orphans, ripped from their biological parents by death and destruction. One chooses to symbolize hope, the other fear. One strives to be human, the other does all he can to appear monstrous and inhuman. Hear us breakdown the commonalities and differences between these two beloved superheroes.