The Underrated Superhero   Tools for Substance Use Counselors

The Underrated Superhero

Resources
for Clinicians
From A to Recovery – The Underrated Superhero
Clinical Card Game

From A to Recovery

A letter-based category game for addiction counseling, mental health, and child & adolescent clinicians. Four editions, add-on packs, one game system.

Therapy that doesn't feel like therapy.

Clients pick a letter, then name something in each category starting with that letter. No worksheets, no fill-in-the-blank — just real conversation that goes somewhere.

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Laminated Cards

6 decks per edition, multiple copies included. Write with a wet erase marker and reuse every session.

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Session Notepad

Tearaway sheets — one per person per round. Works as answer sheet and scorecard. Clients keep them as a session takeaway.

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Wet Erase Marker

One included per physical kit. Write your letter on the card, wipe clean after every session.

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Pick My Letter Tool

Free digital letter randomizer. Open on any device during session. No dice needed. Excludes Q, X, Z, V.

Simple enough for session one.

No training required. Pick a deck, pick a letter, and let the client do the talking.

1

Choose a Deck

Pick the theme that fits where your client is today.

2

Pick a Letter

Use Pick My Letter on any device to randomly select the letter for the round.

3

Write Answers

Write the letter on the card. Everyone writes answers privately on their notepad sheet.

4

Reveal & Talk

Share answers one category at a time. The game starts it — you take it where it needs to go.

Competitive or non-competitive — clinician's choice.

Same cards, same notepad, two different energy levels. No repeat answers in either mode.

Recommended for individual & trauma-informed groups

Non-Competitive Mode

No scoring, no comparison. Every answer becomes a conversation. Safe for all populations at any stage.

  • Individual therapy sessions
  • Early-stage or trauma-focused groups
  • Clients who struggle with competition
Great for established groups

Competitive Mode

Unique answers score a point. Circle yours on the notepad — no extra tracker needed. Highest score wins the round.

  • Established groups with good rapport
  • Clients who need higher engagement
  • Later stages of treatment

One game system. Every population.

Same structure, different language and themes — written specifically for the clients you're actually seeing. Themes vary by edition.

Substance Use Ā· 4Ɨ6 cards

🟠 Substance Use Edition

Built for addiction counselors. SUD treatment language, recovery-focused categories.

  • Coping Skills
  • Relapse Prevention
  • Triggers
  • Support Systems
  • Mental Health & Mood
  • Recovery Identity
Mental Health Ā· 4Ɨ6 cards

🩵 Mental Health Edition

Built for mental health therapists. Mood, anxiety, emotional regulation, daily functioning.

  • Coping Skills
  • Emotional Regulation
  • Triggers & Stressors
  • Support Systems
  • Self-Worth & Identity
  • Daily Life & Functioning
Youth 13–17 Ā· 4Ɨ6 cards

šŸ”µ Youth Edition

Built for adolescent clinicians. Age-appropriate language, peer and identity focused.

  • Coping Skills
  • Feelings & Awareness
  • Triggers & Hard Moments
  • Support Systems
  • Relationships & Connection
  • My Story & My Strengths
Kids 8–12 Ā· 3Ɨ5 cards Ā· 5 categories

🟣 Kids Edition

Built for child clinicians. Short concrete prompts, peeking animal characters, 5 categories per card.

  • Coping Skills
  • Feelings & Awareness
  • Hard Days & Big Feelings
  • My People
  • School & Friends

Expand your kit.

Specialty cards that plug into your edition. Sold as paid digital downloads for everyone — members and non-members.

Universal — Works with SU, MH, and Youth editions
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Justice-Involved

For clients navigating the legal system

Universal Ā· 1 card
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Trauma

Trauma-informed categories for trauma-focused work

Universal Ā· 1 card
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Co-Occurring

For clients managing both SUD and mental health

Universal Ā· 1 card
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Grief & Loss

For clients processing loss alongside treatment

Universal Ā· 1 card
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Stereotypes & Stigma

Challenging stigma across all populations

Universal Ā· 1 card
Substance Use Edition Add-On
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SU Knowledge Pack

Substances & Pharmacology Ā· Consequences & Impact Ā· Recovery & Treatment

SU Edition Ā· 3 cards
Mental Health Edition Add-On
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MH Life Context Pack

Work & Money Ā· Relationships & Mental Health Ā· Culture, Media & Mental Health

MH Edition Ā· 3 cards
Youth Edition Add-On
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Youth Life Context Pack

Substance Use for Youth Ā· School & Academic Pressure Ā· Sports & Activities

Youth Edition Ā· 3 cards

Built for both the room and the one-on-one.

From A to Recovery works in individual sessions and group settings without any modification.

šŸ‘¤ Individual Sessions

  • Low-pressure way to open tough topics
  • Great for resistant or guarded clients
  • Builds self-awareness without feeling clinical
  • Easy to revisit across multiple sessions
  • Works at any stage of treatment

šŸ‘„ Group Therapy

  • Encourages peer sharing naturally
  • Everyone starts with the same letter
  • Builds group cohesion fast
  • Easy for facilitators to manage
  • Works as a warm-up or full group activity

More add-ons on the way.

The From A to Recovery add-on library keeps growing. These packs are in development — built for the populations and clinical contexts that need them most.

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Cross Addiction
Addiction transfer & cross-dependency
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Self-Care & Wellness
Sustainable self-care in recovery
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Anger & Dysregulation
Emotional regulation & anger management
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Family & Relationships
Family dynamics & relational healing
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Identity & Culture
Cultural identity & mental health
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LGBTQIA+ Affirming
Affirming categories for LGBTQIA+ clients
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Gambling & Process Addictions
Behavioral addiction & compulsive patterns
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Pregnancy & Parenting in Recovery
For parents navigating recovery
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Loneliness & Isolation
Connection, belonging & social health
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Neurodivergence & Mental Health
ADHD, autism & sensory experiences
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Caregiver Burnout
For clients carrying others while struggling themselves
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Eating & Body Image
Body relationship & disordered eating
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Spirituality & Recovery
Faith, meaning & spiritual dimensions of recovery
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Kids Add-On Expansion
Specialty packs designed specifically for the Kids Edition

Want to be notified when new add-ons drop? Join the membership and you'll always hear first.

The real thing on your desk.

Each edition is available as a printed laminated card set — color-coded decks, a session notepad, and a wet erase marker. Everything you need right out of the box.

Multiple copies of each card included so group therapy clients each hold their own card during the round.

Digital available now — physical kits available in the shop
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Laminated Decks

Multiple copies per deck for group use

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Session Notepad

Tearaway, one sheet per round

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Wet Erase Marker

Write on cards, wipe clean after

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Add-On Ready

Expand with specialty packs

Everything you need to get started.

Your kit includes a printed insert — but if you need a backup or a larger reference to keep at your desk, here's everything in one place.

šŸƒ How to Play

1
Choose a Deck
Pick the theme that fits where your client is today.
2
Pick a Letter
Use Pick My Letter on any device — or let your client choose.
3
Write the Letter
Use the wet erase marker to write the letter on the card.
4
Write Answers
Everyone writes privately on their notepad sheet first.
5
Reveal & Talk
Share one category at a time. The game opens it — you take it where it needs to go.

šŸŽ² Pick My Letter

Free digital randomizer — open on any phone, tablet, or computer during session. No app download needed. Excludes Q, X, Z, and V.

Open Pick My Letter →

šŸ† Scoring (Optional)

Non-competitive mode: no scoring, every answer is a conversation starter.

Competitive mode: unique answers score 1 point. Circle yours on the notepad. Most points at the end of the round wins. No repeat answers count.

🧼 Card Care

  • →Use wet erase markers only — not dry erase
  • →Wipe clean with a damp cloth after each session
  • →Store flat or upright — avoid bending
  • →Cards are laminated and reusable indefinitely
  • →Notepad sheets are single use — reorder pads in the shop

āž• Add-On Packs

Specialty cards that expand your kit. Each add-on drops right into your existing edition — no extra setup needed.

Universal Packs
Justice-Involved
Trauma
Co-Occurring
Grief & Loss
Stereotypes & Stigma
Works with SU, MH & Youth editions
SU Edition
SU Knowledge Pack
Substances & Pharmacology Ā· Consequences & Impact Ā· Recovery & Treatment
MH Edition
MH Life Context Pack
Work & Money Ā· Relationships & Mental Health Ā· Culture, Media & Mental Health
Youth Edition
Youth Life Context Pack
Substance Use for Youth Ā· School & Academic Pressure Ā· Sports & Activities

Add-on packs are sold as digital downloads. Browse the shop →

šŸŽ² Try Pick My Letter — Free

The digital letter randomizer is free for everyone. Open on any phone or tablet during session — no download needed. Excludes Q, X, Z, and V.

Open Pick My Letter →

Your tier. Your access.

Every level of The Underrated Superhero membership includes something from From A to Recovery.

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Free Access
Pick My Letter tool — free for everyone, no membership needed
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Basic + Standard
1 sample category card — a taste of the full game
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Add-On Packs
Paid digital downloads — available to everyone, members and non-members
View Membership Options →