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PODCAST

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

Dr. Emilia Brown and Keeden Hopkins

Welcome to Bat Therapy, mental health through the lens of comics and film. What is a psychologist to do when they have a passion for mental health treatment as well as all things Batman? They start a podcast, of course! This podcast lets you be a fly on the wall (or a bat in the cave), listening in on a friendship built out of a love for talking Batman and other superheroes, comics, and the everyday struggle to achieve mental health and happiness. Emilia (psychologist) and Keeden (educator and

tv & film animation & manga

All Episodes

46:51

Halloween: Van Helsing

Bat Therapy: Mental Health through the Lens of Comics... ·

2025/10/30

For our Halloween episode we went with one of Keeden’s favorites, Van Helsing. We explore how Van Helsing’s personal experiences help to overcome prejudice and the struggle we all have in trying to overcome our initial reactions to a “monster” like Frankenstein’s who may be the most human of them all.

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49:27

Social Justice through Comics – Guest: Michael Miller

Bat Therapy: Mental Health through the Lens of Comics... ·

2025/10/22

Since the beginning, comics have been a way to explore a variety of social injustices. We talk with Michael Miller, a justice-oriented theological consultant. Michael designed and taught a private high school class called MARVELous Justice that looked at the intersection of comics with social justice. Listen to this episode to find out why the school’s Catholic Sisters approving content on Black Panther, Squirrel Girl, and Harley Quinn isn’t as surprising as you might think.Michael Miller:

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28:53

Does Batman have Obsessive-Compulsive Personality...

Bat Therapy: Mental Health through the Lens of Comics... ·

2025/10/15

We use last week’s episode on the Super/Bat storyline to explore if Batman’s stubborn resolve, attention to details, and perfectionism are part of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder. Dr. Brown also describes the differences between this personality disorder and OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder).Learn more about OCPD at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK597372/

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36:15

Getting Superman’s Powers is Batman’s Kryptonite

Bat Therapy: Mental Health through the Lens of Comics... ·

2025/10/08

If you have wanted to see what Batman would be like with Superman’s powers, then we highly recommend this 4-part comic book series, Super/Bat (Superman/Batman Vol 1 #53-56 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman/Batman). We provide a psychological breakdown of how getting superpowers may not be as much of a gift for Batman as one might think.

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31:51

Disability Representation in Fullmetal Alchemist:...

Bat Therapy: Mental Health through the Lens of Comics... ·

2025/10/01

With a background in rehabilitation for mental health disability, Dr. Emilia Brown uses Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood to talk about how hard it can be to recognize and correct ableism in our society. Fullmetal does not shy away from characters who have physical disabilities. Still, creating empowering and respectful representations of disability is complicated - - so how did Fullmetal do?

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48:33

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Bat Therapy: Mental Health through the Lens of Comics... ·

2025/09/24

How can we possibly begin to move on from tragedies like death, war, torture, and loss? Hear a clinical psychologist and her nerdy counterpart explore the ways Edward and Alphonse Elrich, Scar, Colonel Mustang and others try to move on in life after the violence they have experienced and, in some cases, participated in themselves.

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33:34

Witches in Therapy

Bat Therapy: Mental Health through the Lens of Comics... ·

2025/09/17

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Emilia Brown and Keeden Hopkins explore the complexities of therapy for magic users, discussing the ethical dilemmas, coping mechanisms, and emotional well-being of characters like Agatha, Loki, and Dr. Strange. They delve into how magic influences therapy dynamics, the philosophical implications of using magic in therapy, and the unique challenges therapists face when working with clients who possess magical abilities.

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47:04

Constantine (2005) with Keanu Reeves

Bat Therapy: Mental Health through the Lens of Comics... ·

2025/09/15

Despite how this movie differs from the comics, it is an enjoyable watch. We explore Constantine’s understandable cynicism and how his focus on what is most important helps to keep him going in the face of going to hell.

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30:41

Therapy with the Vampire

Bat Therapy: Mental Health through the Lens of Comics... ·

2025/09/03

How would Dr. Brown adapt psychotherapy for a vampire? We answer the questions you didn’t know you had. Why might a vampire go to therapy? Does a vampire need a therapist who is also a vampire, or are there advantages to finding someone warm-blooded? Would vampires have mental health disorders and, if so, would they be like the human versions? Does vampirism involve its own unique version of moral injury? And more!

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38:52

Sinners

Bat Therapy: Mental Health through the Lens of Comics... ·

2025/08/27

Nothing like using your lifelong resilience in the face of extreme violence and racism to help prepare you for a sudden realization: vampires are real. Is becoming a vampire the solution to life’s problems?

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23:31

Psychology Spotlight: AVATAR Therapy on the witches’...

Bat Therapy: Mental Health through the Lens of Comics... ·

2025/08/20

We compare the witches’ road in Agatha All Along to a new therapy being researched for auditory hallucinations called AVATAR that helps people visualize and confront psychosis-related voices. We also discuss ways that technology may change psychotherapy over time.More info on AVATAR Therapy: https://wellcome.org/news/avatar-digital-therapy-could-help-people-who-hear-voices

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50:14

Agatha All Along

Bat Therapy: Mental Health through the Lens of Comics... ·

2025/08/13

We talk about what it is like to watch a show where the main character is a huge … witch. Unlikable main characters, no clear villains, and a host of loners who manage to find connection with each other. What’s not to love?

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35:44

Psychology Spotlight: If Superheroes Went to Therapy

Bat Therapy: Mental Health through the Lens of Comics... ·

2025/08/06

It is normal and natural for someone to feel resistant to the psychotherapy process. Wolverine’s stubbornness? Batman never prioritizing his sessions? Spiderman fearing his therapist could turn into a villain? Mind readers???? Find out how a therapist would respond.Read More: https://positivepsychology.com/resistance-to-change/

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32:07

Justice League Unlimited – Kids’ Stuff

Bat Therapy: Mental Health through the Lens of Comics... ·

2025/07/30

What better way to talk about the developing brain than with kid-versions of Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, and Green Lantern! As a bonus, find out a psychologist’s thoughts on reverse psychology. If you haven’t watched this JLU episode in a while, we definitely recommend it.

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48:52

James Gunn’s SUPERMAN

Bat Therapy: Mental Health through the Lens of Comics... ·

2025/07/23

Before we jump into the new season, we had to talk about James Gunn’s Superman movie. SPOILERS! We share our reactions, including our thoughts on whether this movie is political or if our reactions to Superman have changed over time. Hear a psychologist’s thoughts on this version of Lex Luthor, Superman’s ability to train a dog, the realities of having a Superman Complex, and the luxury Superman has in being able to trust people since he is (mostly) indestructible.

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25:54

Season 7 – Monsters & Magic!

Bat Therapy: Mental Health through the Lens of Comics... ·

2025/07/16

Welcome to another season of Bat Therapy! This prologue delves into how we decided on this season’s theme of monsters and magic. We also talk about some of the characters and storylines we want to cover.

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51:22

Daredevil: Born Again

Bat Therapy: Mental Health through the Lens of Comics... ·

2025/07/09

Fisk becomes mayor while Matt Murdock struggles to avoid being Daredevil. Being a comics meets mental health type of podcast, we are particularly excited to talk about Matt dating a psychiatrist. Hear a psychologist’s thoughts on Dr. Heather Glenn (and why the doctor becomes more annoying in the end) and the show’s portrayal of couples therapy. And who better than Daredevil, Kingpin/Fisk, and The Punisher to take an opportunity to talk about the important difference between anger and aggression.

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48:26

Thunderbolts*

Bat Therapy: Mental Health through the Lens of Comics... ·

2025/07/04

Spoiler alert for this new MCU movie! Find out why a therapist finds the start of the movie to be a hilarious representation of depression with Yelena, a gun for hire. Trauma, depression, some hints at dissociative identity disorder and bipolar disorder, then add a dash of good ol' fashioned team bonding. A lot of great mental health related content in this movie, including a great message about why it is important not to ignore our internal demons.

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25:06

Remembering Val Kilmer

Bat Therapy: Mental Health through the Lens of Comics... ·

2025/04/22

We reminisce about Val Kilmer's portrayal of Bruce Wayne and Batman in Batman Forever.

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11:16

Behind the Scenes: Capt. America Brave New World

Bat Therapy: Mental Health through the Lens of Comics... ·

2025/03/25

Behind the Scenes of our Brave New World Episode! Toxic Masculinity, DVD Players, and Keeden's first DVDs, just some of the topics in this episode! We'll be back soon with Season 7!

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217 results

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