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

This TV series is chockful of goodies. We talk about Dr. Strange’s locus of control and the dangers of trying to control what is not within your power. We explore what might lead us to accept the past rather than dwell on the ‘what ifs’. And we, of course, could not pass up talking about The Watcher and his embodiment of mindfulness, to watch multiverses without “exerting his will”.

This HP Lovecraftian version of Batman is an odd one. We share our thoughts about the general Elseworlds approach and also delve into Oliver Queen’s character and his struggle to atone for killer family secrets.

The Bat Therapy co-hosts love this movie and all the Spider-Folk across the multiverse. We talk about how there will always be great excuses to stay stuck in life like multiverse Peter Parker as well as how Miles Morales can finally use his superpowers when he stops thinking about the expectations of others and finds his own path.

What if Superman landed in the Soviet Union? We talk about the delicate balance between free will and safety, the power of perception, and the benefit of Lex Luthor having a country supporting his Superman obsession.

In this alternative world’s future, Logan/Wolverine’s life seems pretty grim. (Not that it was ever sunshine and rainbows.) We explore how Logan navigates Professor X’s degenerating cognitive abilities and other drawbacks of having ‘eternal life’. And interestingly, we discuss how his harsh exterior is likely exactly what young Laura needs to manage her selective mutism.

The Joker spends one day gunning for Superman and the world is changed forever. We talk about the ethical gray areas of Superman’s decision to remove all violence from the world (unless he decides to put Atlantis in the middle of a desert) and the psychological underpinnings of the superheroes who join Superman’s initiative.

Humor. It can be a great coping mechanism, but it can also be a way to deflect. Despite his ADHD (and potentially some other mental health diagnoses) and persistent joking, Deadpool has found his support network and is able to move beyond his own pain to help a kid in need.

It can be hard to go back to reality after the bloodshed of being super-powered, brotherly dictators. We discuss Superman and Batman’s management of cognitive dissonance, when one’s beliefs do not match one’s actions, and explore how guilt can be an important part of the process.

This movie is chockful of goodies. We take the opportunity to explore the psychological struggles of different versions of Peter Parker, leading to a discussion of the importance of treating even the villains in our lives like people.

We never pass up the opportunity to talk Batman: The Animated Series! This episode explores how Bruce Wayne and his support network might respond to him potentially having psychosis – after all, he is a billionaire who thinks he’s Batman. Also, tune in to hear Dr. Brown touch on one of her pet peeves about Dr. Leslie Thompkins.

Different people have different responses to trauma. What would happen if Bruce Wayne and Kal-El were one in the same? What if this version of Bruce Wayne had to cope with the brutal murder of his adoptive parents while also juggling the isolation and superpowered abilities of being a Kryptonian?

Great Scott! This episode isn’t about superheroes! We just couldn’t resist having our own Doc Brown make like a tree and record this episode. We talk bullying and self-esteem issues, a theme seen throughout the time traveling antics of Marty McFly.

Goals are important. But what if we become hyper-focused, forgetting that one success rarely solves everything? What if we achieve our goals but it is at great cost…is it worth it? Hear us explore these and other psychological questions as we discuss the interesting world of Flashpoint.

We take a break from our regularly scheduled season to celebrate Black History Month with our FIRST BAT-GUEST! In this episode, we talk Isaiah Bradley and the complexities of race-based trauma with clinical psychologist Dr. Jordan Layne.

Warning: in this one we talk about suicide prevention. If you are up for it, this is a great story that mixes serious topics with goofball plot devices in ways only Booster Gold can accomplish.

We love this movie! And not just because it fixes the mistakes of X-Men 3 (sigh). We talk about self-fulfilling prophecies, Charles Xavier’s medication/substance use, and how wonderful it would be to be able to reach out and comfort your younger self during those times you needed it the most.

How would the death of a Justice Leaguer affect the Justice League? We talk about the history of lobotomies as well as the delicate societal balance between maintaining safety and freedom.

Hear us talk about our upcoming theme - Elseworlds & Alternate Realities! We share some of our favorites and talk about updates for the new season.

Keeden fires off a variety of suggested New Year’s resolutions for our superheroes, sidekicks, and villains while Dr. Brown shares psychology knowledge about the fallacies of resolutions and how to make new habits stick.

Who doesn’t love a good ol’ Batman: The Animated Series episode? We walk through the 4 storylines in this episode, highlighting the difficulty of maintaining two identities, Batman’s sentimentality (despite his best efforts, of course), and other fun tidbits.

The Penguin’s fight for acceptance, Selina Kyle’s creation of Catwoman as response to a trauma and low self-esteem, Bruce Wayne brooding in the dark for no apparent reason, duck-shaped modes of transportation. This movie has it all.

Somebody saaaaaave meeee…from bad representations of current inpatient facilities and electroconvulsive therapy (both legitimate treatment options that many find helpful). We talk Dr. Claire Foster, Lex Luthor’s psychiatrist as he struggles with psychosis, and Dr. Evans, a therapist Lois Lane sees for some dream interpretation.

The New 52 allowed Barbara Gordon to transition from Oracle back to Batgirl. But despite regaining the use of her legs, Batgirl is left with “pain and darkness”. Hear our thoughts on her therapist who is based on a real-life clinical psychologist!

We take a break from our regularly scheduled programming to talk about Marvel’s recently released Wakanda Forever. We discuss grief, anger, and the delicate balance between justice and mutual assured destruction.

What is a therapist to do when Lucifer himself walks into their office? We explore Dr. Linda Martin’s approach to Lucifer’s treatment and answer other questions like how a therapist deals with the pressures of the job (whether they treat godlike creatures or mere mortals).