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Superheroes and CBT for Youth

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Creative CBT with Youth

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Abstract

This chapter focuses on how clinicians can incorporate superheroes and superhero themes to creatively supercharge delivery of cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) to youth. Most youth are familiar with superheroes and their stories, and as such, these may be accessible teaching and engagement tools. Superhero narratives often include characters who have experienced early adversity and marginalization and (eventually) demonstrate strategies for coping and resilience. The chapter includes utilizing superhero characters and narratives in case conceptualization and across CBT components such as psychoeducation, cognitive coping skills, problem-solving, somatic management, behavioral activation, and exposures. Coping is framed as a superpower, and the chapter incorporates sample therapy scripts as well as suggestions for tailoring fun superhero tools and props.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA

    Sandra S. Pimentel & Ryan C. T. DeLapp

  2. Anxiety and Mood Program Child Outpatient Psychiatry Division, Bronx, NY, USA

    Sandra S. Pimentel & Ryan C. T. DeLapp

Authors
  1. Sandra S. Pimentel
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  2. Ryan C. T. DeLapp
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Correspondence to Sandra S. Pimentel .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA, USA

    Robert D. Friedberg

  2. Clarity CBT & DBT Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Erica V. Rozmid

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Pimentel, S.S., DeLapp, R.C.T. (2022). Superheroes and CBT for Youth. In: Friedberg, R.D., Rozmid, E.V. (eds) Creative CBT with Youth. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99669-7_9

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