How do we define "superstition"?  We with our human eyes do not see "God" nor "Buddha", how do we know the existence of "God" or "Buddha"?   To my understanding, it is the belief of oneself, or even clearer, it is the affinity of oneself toward their own feeling of "God" or "Buddha".  Since Isobel called for help in the name of "Buddha", I believe that Isobel believe in Buddha.

Buddhism teaches the existence of previous life, present life and next life; cause & effect; the existence of possitive karma and negative karma, as those have been transmitted from one life to the next.  It is due to negative karma / sin, that all the unplesant thing happen, for example bad luck.  To deal with negative karma, we can increase the possitive karma by doing a lot of good deeds, which is physically.  Where as spiritually, visualization of white light is the way.

I personally don't see "visualizing white light dispelling negative energy" reflects a very self-centred focus - and "it's all about ME".   Because I believe once every each individual has light inside of oneself, with all the possible possitive energy, the whole community will be all in light and being in possitive position.  Besides, it would be even wonderful if every each individual think of light shining toward the whole community or the whole world, not just on oneself.  Sorry for English isn't my 1st language.  I hope you understand.