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Raising Awareness, Building Acceptance: Educating Parents on Gender Diversity
Get PDFThe focus of this capstone is to provide an overview of how gender is defined and the journey a transgender or gender-diverse (TGD) child or youth may take. Specifically, this capstone is intended to offer insight for cisgender, heterosexual parents and caregivers or the population in general who have questions or confusion surrounding this important topic. Gender incongruence is a widely misunderstood topic for people who live life in a binary black-and-white fashion. My objective is to provide sufficient information to foster understanding of this topic, thereby reducing stigma, discrimination, and the numerous psychological challenges faced by this population. Moreover, I aim to highlight that gender-affirming care for TGD children and youth is equally as valuable and necessary as it is for cisgender children experiencing precocious puberty or adults requiring hormone supplements or sexual enhancement prescriptions. The prevalence of TGD individuals is approximately 2% around the world. There has been a noticeable increase in children and youth socially transitioning prior to seeking out gender-affirming care in the past decade. I outline the psychosocial co-morbidities of the TGD population, as well as necessary protective factors. I write about assessment and psychological and medical interventions as they relate to creating positive transition outcomes and the ethics of gatekeeping gender-affirming care. I provide information on transition and detransition as it relates to a journey of gender discovery rather than a treatment endpoint. I provide insight into how viewing our world from a binary lens is harmful and restricts the expectations of the TGD population and how gender should be expressed on an individual basis without societal pressure for what it thinks it should be. Finally, Chapter 3 contains a semi-scripted presentation that I have created for caregivers at Foundry Langley, BC, Canada
Supporting Children Who Have Experienced Trauma: Yoga and Mindfulness
Get PDFThis capstone project presents an investigation into the therapeutic properties of yoga and mindfulness as an adjunctive therapy for children who have experienced trauma. Yoga and mindfulness were found to be effective interventions in the treatment of trauma that can be adopted and effective with children. However, risks and limitations are noted as using yoga and mindfulness should be assessed on an individual basis and as adjunctive treatments. A discussion of the research is used to outline the motivation for and creation of a six-week long yoga and mindfulness-based therapy group for this population. Further research could be beneficial in standardizing yoga and mindfulness as interventions for trauma with children for future practice for Clinical Counsellors
The Impact of Insecure Attachment on Affect in Intimate Relationships
No full textThis capstone examined the influence of insecure attachment styles on emotional experiences and dynamics within intimate relationships. Drawing on attachment theory and recent empirical research, the study explored how anxious and avoidant attachment orientations shape affective patterns and responses to stress in romantic partnerships. A comprehensive literature review revealed that individuals with anxious attachment tend to experience more negative affect, heightened emotional reactivity, and fear of abandonment in relationships (Miga et al., 2012). Conversely, those with avoidant attachment often suppress emotions, maintain emotional distance, and struggle with intimacy (Kouri et al., 2024). The paper analyzed how these attachment-based differences manifest in daily emotional experiences, perceptions of their partner, and responses to relationship stressors. Additionally, the study examined how attachment insecurities interact with affect, to influence relationship satisfaction and individual well-being (Simpson et Rholes, 2017). By synthesizing current research findings, this paper provided insights into the complex interplay between attachment orientations and affective processes in intimate relationships. The conclusions drawn highlight the importance of understanding attachment styles in relationship therapy and education, offering implications for interventions aimed at fostering more secure attachments and healthier emotional dynamics in romantic partnerships
An American Paradox: A Monolingual Nation in a Plurilingual World Volume 1
No full textAmerican Paradox combines professional expertise with advanced writing tools to streamline creativity and enhance engagement. The editors skillfully integrated traditional methods and modern technologies—such as spell check, thesauruses, AI prompts, n-gram analysis, and Smart Art—to achieve clarity, precision, and structure while crafting a unified and compelling narrative. The book delivers accessible insights into the latest neurolinguistic research, particularly its application to lesson planning, alongside strategies to nurture inclusive and supportive learning environments. It highlights how improved communication through teachers learning their students' language can enhance educational outcomes. By embracing plurilingualism, educators can pave the way for equal opportunity and equity in meeting diverse student needs. Designed for K-12 teachers and teacher candidates, the book serves as a roadmap to address the shortcomings of American language education while advocating for progressive policies to bridge those gaps. It calls for a new generation of multilingual educators to foster hope, inclusion, and positive connections with millions of public school students by sharing the experience of plurilingualism. As the book suggests, teachers who understand their students' languages can build rapport and foster enriched interactions, emphasizing the undeniable benefits of multilingual comprehension
Is Nature-based Therapy the Best Therapy for ADHD Youth?
No full textYouth with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are at a greater risk for mental health challenges, relationship struggles, poverty, unemployment, and substance abuse, especially with a lack of support (Faraone & Biederman, 2005). Since adolescence is a cornerstone in the development of self-identity and self-worth, it is essential to identify effective therapeutic approaches that ensure youth with ADHD have the confidence and tools to support them in their transition to adulthood. The purpose of this research coincides with this need for support by exploring nature-based therapy as a practical approach for youth with ADHD and explores three research questions: (1) What is the presentation of ADHD in the youth population? (2) What does research show are the best therapeutic approaches and modalities for youth with ADHD? (3) How does nature-based therapy compare to other therapeutic approaches and modalities for youth with ADHD? Several studies have shown that exposure to nature is effective in reducing stress, reducing mental fatigue, increasing energy, increasing focus, balancing mood, and fostering healing (Jordan, 2019). In comparison to other commonly used therapeutic approaches (e.g., cognitive behavioural therapy, behavioural therapy, art therapy, music therapy, and play therapy), nature-based therapy offers a more holistic approach in effectively supporting youth with ADHD. Through a summation of ADHD, adolescence and the combination in tandem with an analysis of therapeutic approaches, this research acts as groundwork for further research and practice of nature-based therapy
Adapting Credit Union Risk Management for Climate Change
No full textThe business problem explored in this study relates to how credit union financial and risk managers adapt their organizations to address climate-related financial risk. The information in this study can guide finance and risk management professionals at community-sized credit unions as they determine how best to incorporate climate-related financial risk into their risk management programs. The research questions (RQs) in the study addressed how credit union financial and risk management professionals define climate-related financial risk, what actions they are currently taking or planning to take to measure this risk, and what progress they are making on developing organizational responses to this risk. The study was delimited to finance and risk management professionals working at credit unions with less than $10 billion in assets and headquartered in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The study used a qualitative methodology with a basic design, and the data were gathered using semi structured interviews. Eighteen participants were selected, representing 17 unique credit unions that were chosen using convenience and snowball sampling. Open and axial coding were used to generate categories and themes. The study findings could benefit credit union and bank leaders who are beginning to estimate their exposure to climate change risk. It also informs regulatory agencies that supervise these institutions by providing information about what is being done and not done by institutions in the region. The study participants believed that credit risk would be most highly impacted by climate-related natural disasters in the region and suggested current expected credit losses (CECL) qualitative factor adjustments, mapping member locations against areas known to have a high risk for climate-related events, and tightening of underwriting standards as potential strategies for mitigation. Recommendations for practitioners include estimating member exposure, participating in the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF), collaboration and information sharing with other credit unions, and adopting green banking practices. Recommendations for future study include analyzing the effect of climate-related risk on credit union performance metrics, estimating the financed greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of credit unions to ascertain climate-related transition risk, and developing an approach to estimating a qualitative factor adjustment for climate-related risk in the CECL calculation
A Qualitative Case Study on Organizational Change Management and Systems Thinking in For-Profit Organizations
No full textOrganizational change initiatives often fail because leaders do not apply systemic approaches that align people, processes, and outcomes. This problem impacts for-profit organizations where failed change efforts reduce competitiveness, morale, and resource effectiveness. The problem addressed in this study was that change management efforts fail due to a lack of systems thinking by leaders when implementing change management in for-profit organizations (Banerjee & Lowalekar, 2021). The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how leaders in for-profit organizations applied the systems theory of management to guide change. The systems theory of management provided the framework by emphasizing the interdependence of inputs, processes, outputs, feedback, and environment. Eighteen leaders from diverse U.S. industries participated in semi-structured interviews conducted via Zoom and completed demographic surveys. Eligible participants had at least three years of leadership experience, one year at their organization, and involvement in change initiatives. Data were thematically coded to answer two research questions: how leaders understood and applied systems thinking, and how they used systems theory components to improve change practices. The data resulted in six themes, which were leaders emphasized feedback, outputs, and inputs in systems thinking, recognizing that change is hard, managing and sustaining practices, and providing vision. Feedback was most frequently referenced, underscoring its role in alignment and adjustment. Leaders also highlighted the importance of balancing structure with flexibility, embedding vision into culture, and cultivating resilience to manage barriers. The findings demonstrated that while systems theory provides a useful framework, its application requires careful consideration of the specific context. The implications included adopting balanced measures of success, strengthening resilience, and embedding vision into culture. Recommendations for practice involved feedback loops, training, role clarity, vision, and adaptability. Future research should test these findings through quantitative or mixed-method designs
Public Service Motivation, Military Veterans, and the Civil Service: A Qualitative Research Study
No full textThis qualitative case study explored the reflections of normative, affective, and rational motivational constructs in the accounts of veterans’ service and work. The identified problem was the lack of consideration for Public Service Motivation (PSM) during the federal hiring process despite recruitment challenges, values-driven talent engagement, and an oncoming retirement crisis. The research question evaluated how veterans’ internal orientations connected to work in public service and the fit challenges that they experienced. Theoretically guided by Perry and Wise’s PSM with supplemental support from identity theoretical frameworks, twenty honorably discharged veterans currently employed or seeking federal employment were recruited from an online veterans’ community and given semi-structured interviews remotely. NVivo was used for thematic development, focusing on veterans’ motivations for work, identity, and organizational fit experiences. Results showed a strong identification with PSM constructs, particularly in the areas of duty, mission-continuity, and compassion, with most participants seeing the civil service as an extension of military service. Fit challenges in onboarding, bureaucratic ambiguity, and culture misalignment. Veterans reported mismatches in leadership expectations and communication styles with agency peers. Findings supported that veterans are motivated and mission-oriented talent, but their transition into civil service was reliant on management recognizing their identity, leadership experience, and motivation. Recommendations included veteran-specific onboarding and transition programs, PSM-conscious recruitment messaging, structured mentorship programs, and military cultural-competency training for civilian supervisors. Suggestions for future research included longitudinal and quantitative analysis of veteran experiences, specifically from those underrepresented in the military community
Bridging Language and Culture: Best Practices for Bilingual Counsellors Working with Immigrant Populations
No full textThis capstone project explores best practices for bilingual counsellors working with immigrant populations through a qualitative literature review. Grounded in linguistic code-switching theory and multicultural counselling theory, the study synthesizes current research to examine how language, culture, and identity interact to shape the therapeutic process. Findings reveal that bilingual counselling enhances therapeutic alliance, emotional expression, and client trust by allowing communication in clients’ preferred languages. However, bilingual clinicians face ethical and professional challenges, including blurred boundaries, transference, countertransference, and risks of burnout. The review identifies significant gaps in training and supervision, particularly in the Canadian context, where bilingual counselling practices remain underdeveloped despite the country’s linguistic diversity. Clinical implications outlined emphasize the intentional use of code-switching as a therapeutic tool, ongoing cultural humility, and awareness of intersectionality. This project concludes with recommendations for developing structured training, supervision, and policy initiatives to support culturally and ethically competent bilingual counselling practices
The Association Between Trauma and Fibromyalgia
No full textThe goal of this capstone is to provide a history of fibromyalgia beginning in the 1990s when it became a diagnosable disease. The capstone will be organized into decades exploring research based on adaptations of the diagnosis between 1990–1999, 2000–2009, and 2010 to present day. Fibromyalgia will be explored through themes of comorbidities, treatment methods, gaps in the literature, medical treatments, and stigmatizations of the diagnosis. There will be an exploration of three somatic and mind-body based treatment methods including compassionate inquiry, polyvagal theory, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy. The gaps in research will be highlighted throughout the capstone with the goal of assisting and adapting future treatment planning for individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia. The capstone will conclude with a personal refection regarding what has been discovered within the research, clinical experience, and personal life regarding fibromyalgia