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Polyvagal Theory and Trauma: Providing School Counsellors with Practical Guidance on How to Integrate Principles of Polyvagal Theory to Foster Trauma-Sensitive Environments in Elementary Schools
No full textThis capstone explores how Polyvagal Theory can inform trauma-sensitive practices in schools. Drawing on recent literature, this paper outlines the impact of trauma and principles of Polyvagal theory-neuroception, the hierarchy of states and coregulation-on student behaviour, learning and relational needs. Through this lens, schools can create environments that are supportive of student empowerment and resilience, contributing to healthier communities grounded in safety, connection and healing. This capstone includes infographics and practical strategies for educators to support safety, emotional regulation/state change, connection through co-regulation and resilience in students-fostering healing, learning, and growth for those impacted by trauma
Reconstructing Meaning After Trauma: How Existential Therapy Facilitates Post-Traumatic Growth
No full textSuicide loss often leaves survivors grappling not only with profound grief but also with a shattering of their core assumptions about the world, themselves, and others. This capstone explores how existential therapy, a modality grounded in the exploration of life’s ultimate concerns: death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness, can support meaning-making and facilitate posttraumatic growth in suicide loss survivors. Drawing from trauma and grief theory, narrative psychology, and existential psychology this practice-based conceptual paper proposes a flexible, meaning-centered framework that integrates Yalom’s existential givens with the five domains of posttraumatic growth
Government Leaders’ Perceptions on Mental Health Supports in the Workplace: A Qualitative Descriptive Study
No full textThis qualitative descriptive study explored organizational leaders’ perspectives on workplace mental health supports within executive branch agencies of the Government of Guam. Grounded in Eisenberger et al.’s perceived organizational support (POS) theory, the purpose of this study was to examine how agency directors make decisions about supporting employee mental health. Using a field-tested protocol, 10 semistructured interviews and one focus group with five participants were conducted, with leaders possessing a minimum of three years’ experience. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase inductive thematic analysis to address three research questions related to leaders’ perceptions, identification strategies, and restructuring approaches for mental health supports. Findings revealed that accessibility, such as open-door policies and personal check-ins, served as a key marker of psychological safety and leadership engagement. Directors described informal and formal accommodations, including mental health leave and flexible scheduling, which signaled evolving cultural recognition of mental health needs. While most participants demonstrated strong relational awareness, they also acknowledged systemic constraints, especially those tied to staffing shortages that limited the feasibility of flexible arrangements. Implications suggest that directors’ attentiveness and personal investment are reshaping organizational norms around mental health, with POS theory providing a meaningful lens for interpreting this shift. However, disparities in mental health literacy and inconsistent support structures highlight the need for more standardized approaches. Future research should incorporate employee voices to evaluate whether leadership efforts are genuinely perceived and effective, and to identify misalignments between intention and impact
Exploring the efficacy of play therapy with children who have experienced sexual abuse
No full textThis capstone project compiles and reviews literature that explores the use of play therapy as a modality for working with children who have experienced sexual abuse. By exploring the research question "what is the efficacy of play therapy as a treatment method for children who have experienced sexual abuse?" it was noted that play therapy meets many needs for working with this population. Play therapy allows the child to maintain a sense of safety and control, in a developmentally appropriate manner while a therapist supports their treatment process. It was noted, however, that there are gaps in the literature, and more rigorous research is needed to substantiate long-term effects across larger populations. Cultural humility and ethical considerations are recommended for therapists working in this modality to best support these vulnerable clients through their unique circumstances. This paper finds that play therapy demonstrates efficacy in supporting children who have experienced sexual abuse, while acknowledging a need for further research
Impact of a Psychoeducation Intervention on Stigma and Help seeking among African Americans: A Pretest and Posttest Study
No full textStigma is considered the most significant barrier to African Americans psychological treatment. Literature addressing stigma among African Americans is understudied and needed. Previous researchers have attempted to address stigma among African Americans via anti-stigma interventions, such as education-based programs aimed to educate and improve understanding and information about psychological health. The purpose of the pretest-posttest study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a psychoeducational-based intervention addressing African Americans' stigma towards mental health to help reduce stigma and increase their willingness to seek treatment. The results showed the psychoeducational based intervention reduced public stigma, self-stigma, and improved help-seeking attitudes. The mean scores for public stigma before the seminar (M = 14.71 SD = 7.95) and after the seminar (M =13.28, SD = 7.77);t(41)= -8.360, p = <.001 showed significant difference. The mean scores of self-stigma scale showed there was a significant difference in mean scores before the seminar on the aware scale (M = 23.57, SD = 10.41) and after the seminar (M=18.92, SD = 9.48); t(41)= -9.48, p = <.001, agree scale before the seminar (M=18.92, SD=11.78) and after the seminar (M=14.66, SD=9.46); t(41)=-7.280, p=<.001, apply scale before the seminar (M=18.50, SD=10.99) and after the seminar, and hurt scale scores before the seminar (M=18.39, SD=13.17) and after the seminar (M=13.59, SD=10.44); t(41)=-8.477, p=<.001. There was significant difference in mean scores for help-seeking before the seminar (M = 4.86, SD = 1.09) and after the seminar (M=5.13, SD = 1.02);t(41)= 5.296, p = <.001. Future research should focus on using a control group and post follow up group, examining help-seeking behaviors and self-stigma, and continuing to create and explore psychoeducational interventions that address mental health stigma among Black diasporas
Mindfulness-Based Chronic Pain Management Interventions
No full textThe purpose of this study is to examine how mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), including Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE), can be integrated within the biopsychosocial model (BPSM), of chronic pain management to improve treatment outcomes, reduce reliance on opioids, and enhance the quality of life for individuals living with chronic pain. Chronic pain is a complex health challenge significantly affecting individuals, families, and healthcare systems, and biomedical approaches often fail to capture its multidimensional nature. A thematic review of literature was adopted as methodology. Quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods studies were analyzed. Findings showed MBIs
reduced pain interference, enhanced emotional regulation, decreased opioid reliance, and improved quality of life, offering a promising addition to traditional pain management. Overall, the results indicate that MBIs address the biological, psychological, and social dimensions of health, offering a valuable, viable approach to addressing chronic pain. Still, questions remain regarding the sustainability of benefits, the need for larger, more diverse, and longitudinal studies, as well as direct comparisons of MBI delivery formats (in-person, telehealth, and hybrid models). This capstone concludes that MBIs show promise in improving the quality of life for those with chronic pain
Gut Feelings: Understanding the Connection Between Gut Health and Mental Health
No full textThis capstone explores the emerging connection between gut health and mental health through a review of current research on the microbiome–gut–brain axis (MGBA). While traditional counselling practices focus primarily on cognitive and emotional processes within the brain, growing evidence suggests that gut health—including microbiota diversity and integrity—may significantly influence mood, behaviour, and psychological well-being. This paper examines how factors such as diet, stress, medication use, environmental pollutants, and early life experiences impact the gut microbiome and, in turn, mental health outcomes. Framed through both solution-focused and feminist theoretical lenses, this research challenges the reductionist view of mental illness as purely brain-based and advocates for a more holistic, embodied approach to mental health care. An applied component - a psychoeducational workshop for mental health professionals - offers practice strategies to integrate MGBA-informed practices into therapeutic settings. Although limitations in the research remain, the findings underscore the potential of integrative, lifestyle-based interventions in supporting mental health and well-being
Examining Teachers' Perceptions of Professional Development: A Qualitative Case Study
No full textThe purpose of this qualitative descriptive case study was to explore how teachers described the influences of in-service professional development on their instructional practices. Understanding teacher perceptions is essential to the overall effectiveness of professional development schemes. The theoretical foundation of this study was Vygotsky’s constructivist learning theory, which requires teachers to engage in processes designed to improve instructional techniques through professional development. Specifically, Vygotsky interpreted learning as an active, collaborative process of combining new knowledge with prior knowledge to construct a deeper understanding of content. The research questions guiding this study asked about how reading and math teachers perceived the in-service professional development they received influenced their instructional practices. The purposive sampling method was used to select 14 participants from a southern school district in Maryland. A total of 6 individual semi-structured interviews were conducted, along with two focus group discussions involving 8 additional participants. Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis method was used to analyze data collected from interviews and focus groups. The study findings provide insight into how teachers perceive the impact of in-service professional development on their instructional practices and student achievement
Counselling and Culture: The Influence of Masculinity and Cultural Identity on Mental Health Perceptions in South Asian Canadian Men
No full textThis psychology capstone reviews mental health experiences for the chosen demographic of South Asian Canadian men. This is done with a focus on cultural strengths and implications and theories of masculinity. The studies shared in this paper have a focus on emotional suppression, gender-related stigma, and intergenerational pressures around mental health. The three themes that are addressed in the literature review section of this capstone are cultural gender norms and expectations, media and gender stereotypes, and barriers to seeking mental health. Sub-themes include the subjectivity of masculinity, norms shaped in childhood, healthy masculinity, and cultural implications on mental health perspectives. These ideas are analyzed in relation to cultural competency and how counsellors may practice in a stance of cultural humility and understanding when working with diverse populations. The third chapter discussed key findings, such as how an individual's views of masculinity influences help-seeking behavior, culturally competency being a factor to increasing counselling engagement, and social media narratives influencing one's views of coping
Imagery Rescripting for BPD: A Pathway to Building Psychological Resilience
No full textBackground: Those with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) often struggle with early adverse experiences that shape their emotional regulation, impulsivity, identity diffusion, and interpersonal difficulties (Jowett et al., 2020). These challenges can impair an individual’s capacity for adaptability and resilience, factors that are closely tied to life satisfaction and psychological well-being (Guillén et al., 2021). Studies show that those with BPD have a higher risk of self-harm and suicidality, leading to more frequent hospitalizations, demonstrating the critical need for research on long-lasting change (Kaurin et al., 2022). This literature review explores the question: To what extent does ImR contribute to resilience in BPD?
Methods: This study employs a literature-based methodology rooted in a constructivist epistemological perspective. Drawing on published, peer-reviewed research, I critically interpreted and synthesized the findings to identify themes across the existing literature, which are used to address the research question of this paper.
Findings: The research base indicates four key themes: 1. ImR for Emotional Healing and Trauma-Based Patterns, 2. ImR for Self-Awareness and Self-Concept, 3. ImR for Adaptive Coping and Behavioral Change, and 4. ImR for Fostering Healthy Interpersonal Relationships. These themes signify areas in which ImR shows efficacy, which also overlap with the literature on resilience-building factors in BPD.
Conclusion and implications: Overall, ImR offers potential for fostering resilience in some areas. However, further research and more direct evidence from the literature on the topic are required