The superhero fandom and costume role-playing, or cosplay, will be on full display this week in San Diego at Comic-Con International.
But a San Diego psychologist, Dr. Janina Scarlet, believes there is a more profound side to the concept of superheroes — one that she explores in patient therapy.
Scarlet, founder of Superhero Therapy in San Diego, incorporates pop culture characters into the practice of clinical psychology to help patients cope with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. She says she has counseled active-duty marines at Camp Pendleton dealing with PTSD.
Scarlet, a psychology professor Alliant University and will attend Comic-Con as a panelist, discusses the healing power of superheroes on Midday Edition on Tuesday.