What Can Superheroes Teach Us About Therapy? (Part 2)
A couple of years ago I wrote a blog post about what superheroes can teach us about therapy. I find superhero story arcs to be a perfect representation of the therapeutic process, and the work I hope to accomplish with each of my clients. Thus, today I would like to elaborate on the parallels between my clients’ process of growth and the shift in perspective superheroes progressively develop when their initial viewpoints are challenged.
The Philosophy of a Hero
There comes a point in every hero's journey where they are tested. Usually, this struggle arises when they confront their arch nemesis; Batman and Joker battle for the soul of Gotham City. Spider-Man seeks retribution against Green Goblin for murdering Aunt May. Killmonger attempts to usurp T'Challa's throne for Wakanda. At the heart of these confrontations is a clash of moral values and ideals.
The best superheroes represent moral principles that they strive to impart onto others. Contrarily, the best supervillains seek to challenge and destroy the hero’s ideologies. Take for instance the conflict between the Sith and the Jedi in the Star Wars saga. In the prequel trilogy the Jedi present themselves as the all-knowing, perfect entities in the galaxy. To achieve this heightened state of being, the Jedi forgo emotional attachment and sacrifice their humanity for the good of others. In contrast, the Sith embrace their passions to attain complete power and dominance over the Republic. Chancellor Palpatine successfully turns Anakin to the Dark Side by revealing that the Jedis’ philosophy is inherently flawed and detrimental to Anakin's personal desires to be in a loving relationship. It is not until decades later that Luke Skywalker shows Darth Vader a new perspective, one that honors the Jedi teachings of serving others while simultaneously acknowledging and embracing his yearning for emotional connection. The intimacy Darth Vader develops with his son is what ultimately helps Anakin Skywalker return to the Light Side and save his soul.
The Process of Change
So, what does this have to do with counseling, and more specifically, my personalized therapeutic approach? Well, it is my belief that therapy is about you developing and refining your philosophical outlook on life. People initially start counseling to address their immediate problems. For instance, they just lost their romantic partner and want to figure out what they can do to get them back. Or maybe they just got laid off and need help in finding a new job. Perhaps their teenager is disrupting the sanctity of the house and they are at their wit’s end for what to do. I am perfectly happy helping my clients work through these daily stressors.
But this is bigger than just addressing the immediate problem of the week. This is about helping you find meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. And that cannot happen unless we dig deep, reflect upon, and challenge your current perspective on life.
If a client were to come in and tell me, “I want to get my partner back.” I would, in good faith, provide them with all my psychoeducational tools and resources to help increase their chances of reconnecting with their partner. However, just because a client is initially successful in returning to their previous relationship does not mean that it will last, particularly if the original issues that caused the breakup remain unaddressed. Our work is about us discovering what is currently happening in your relationships, discovering how your approach in handling relational conflicts connects to your present circumstances, and refining your mindset to help you determine how to successfully resolve future relationship hurdles.
Reaching a Heightened State of Being
All superheroes have ideals for what they strive for, but ultimately fall short when they are confronted with the flaws in their logic. When a superhero acknowledges their pain and mistakes, willingly asks for help, and takes it upon themselves to better their circumstances, they inevitably develop a new stance on life that makes them stronger.
You can find clarity and conviction once again. You can reclaim a sense of purpose, drive, and eagerness to live life to its fullest potential. But you have to be brave enough to acknowledge you are struggling, admit that your current approach in handling relational problems isn’t working, and deliberately ask for help with the utmost sincerity.
Click on the link below so we can begin to have an honest conversation of what is currently happening in your life and how we can go about getting you to where you want to be.