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Tale of Two Uncles: First Nations Healing Perspectives in Conversation with Western Therapeutic Approaches
No full textThis capstone looks at ways Western therapeutic approaches can integrate with First Nations healing perspectives to support culturally responsive counselling in British Columbia, Canada. Guided by Two-Eyed Seeing the research combines a literature review with storytelling from two uncles – one First Nation and one European Canadian – exploring intersections and differences between Indigenous and Western worldviews. This capstone introduces the Dzitl’ainli Framework and C.A.R.E. Model (Circle, Accessibility, Responsiveness, Engagement), blending Indigenous relational practices with Western Emotion-Focused Therapy principles
Factors Impacting Treatment Outcomes for Individuals Who Have Participated in Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
No full textEven with intervention programs that are designed to reduce recidivism and promote behavioural change, intimate partner violence (IPV) is still found to be a significant public health concern (World Health Organization, 2024). Therapeutic outcomes for individuals who have perpetrated IPV vary due to personal, systemic, intersectional, and treatment-related factors. This capstone explores these influences through attachment theory, social learning theory, and a trauma-informed lens analyzing the impact of engagement levels, motivation for change, personality traits, and psychopathology on treatment efficacy. A review of the literature evaluates the efficacy of various treatment interventions, including the Duluth Model, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing (MI), attachment-based, and trauma-informed approaches. Barriers such as stigma, accessibility challenges for populations who are facing socio-economic barriers, and the role of naming conventions are also considered. Analysis shows that integrative treatment models combining MI, CBT, trauma-informed and culturally relevant care are most effective, with therapist characteristics and therapeutic alliance being a key factor in retention and positive outcomes. This study provides insight into best practices for practitioners, advocating for evidence-based, individualized, equitable, and culturally sensitive interventions to reduce recidivism and enhance treatment efficacy
Embodiment-Based Psychotherapy: Applications for Adverse Outcomes of Child Sexualized Assault
No full textThis capstone project explores the long-term neurobiological and relational impact of childhood sexualized assault (CSA) and outlines how embodiment-based therapies can support adult survivors. The purpose is to highlight that effectively addressing the impacts of trauma requires including the body in the healing processes. The key adverse outcomes identified were attachment trauma, a restricted or inflated sense of relational entitlement, revictimization, complex posttraumatic stress (CPTSD), borderline personality features, fragmentation, and substance use. This paper examines the clinical applications of embodiment-based interventions to address the outcomes of CSA, including Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Somatic Experiencing, and Trauma-informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST). These modalities can offer a non-pathologizing way to somatically address the long-term neurobiological impact of CSA
How School Counsellors Can Support Teachers to Implement Trauma-Informed Practices in Their Classrooms to Improve Social-Emotional and Academic Outcomes
No full textThis paper explores the question of how school counsellors can support teachers to implement trauma-informed practices into the classroom. The purpose of this paper is to examine and define trauma and adverse childhood experiences or ACEs, explore the impacts of trauma on classroom behaviour and the school setting, and understand the effects of trauma and ACEs on functioning and self-efficacy for students and teachers. Research has found that trauma and adverse childhood experiences have a profound impact on children and how they function in the school setting (Offerman et al., 2022). Teacher social-emotional training and professional development on trauma and compassion-based practices are shown to improve classroom outcomes significantly when sufficient training is completed. The literature review will also examine theoretical approaches which target positive changes which teachers can make to improve the classroom experience, specifically Bio-ecological Systems Theory, attachment theory, polyvagal theory, brain states theory, and person-centred theory. The use of these approaches has shown to improve academic and social-emotional outcomes for teachers and students in the school setting. The research findings are then considered for a group therapy program to support teachers with using compassion-based practices
Attachment Theory and Addiction: A Counselling Approach to Understanding and Treating Substance Use
No full textAttachment patterns developed during early childhood have a profound influence on an individual's emotional regulation and coping mechanisms, which can significantly impact the risk of developing substance use disorders. Insecure attachment styles, such as anxious, avoidant, and disorganized, are often linked to maladaptive coping strategies, including substance use, as individuals seek to manage stress, emotional pain, or interpersonal difficulties. This capstone explores the complex relationship between attachment styles and vulnerability to substance use, with a focus on the physiological, social, environmental, and biological factors that contribute to this association. The capstone explores the role of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in shaping these attachment patterns and their subsequent impact on addiction risk. Furthermore, the research considers clinical implications for treatment, discussing how attachment-focused therapies can enhance the effectiveness of interventions for individuals struggling with addiction. The findings point to significant gaps in current research, offering directions for future studies that could deepen our understanding of the attachment-addiction link and improve therapeutic approaches
Two-Eyed Seeing and Trauma Healing: Adapting EMDR to Heal Trauma-Based Addiction in Indigenous Communities
No full textThe historical and ongoing effects of colonization have contributed to disproportionate rates of trauma and substance use disorders (SUDs) within Indigenous communities. Although traditional healing methods remain central to resilience and recovery, they are often dismissed or underutilized in mainstream therapeutic approaches. This capstone examines whether trauma therapy, specifically eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), can be adapted to support Indigenous communities battling SUD. Using the Two-Eyed Seeing framework, which integrates Western clinical knowledge with Indigenous ways of knowing, it explores how EMDR can be culturally adapted in alignment with Indigenous healing methodologies. The first step in honouring this methodology is a testimony from Blackfoot Elder Eric Crowshoe, whose insights guide an understanding of overcoming addiction with traditional healing. Next, research on culturally adapted mental health therapy for trauma and addiction is examined, alongside literature on how EMDR—originally developed for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—is now being used to treat addiction and how it has been culturally adapted. Cultural adaptation in this study encompasses both protocol modifications and the integration of Indigenous practices, including land-based healing, ceremonial grounding, and spiritual frameworks. This capstone highlights two cultural adaptations to EMDR and explores the ethics, responsibilities, and possible benefits and risks of adapting therapy to treat complex trauma and addiction within an Indigenous community. The final chapter critically examines how Traditional Indigenous healing wisdom might inform the effective use of EMDR in addiction treatment
Leaving the Cycle: Battling the Shadows and Healing from Intimate Partner Violence
Get PDFThis capstone project explores intimate partner violence (IPV) through the dual lenses of attachment theory and social constructionism to illustrate the complex relationships between individual psychological processes and broader sociocultural dynamics. Drawing from both empirical literature and clinical case material, this work shows how attachment disruptions and internalized social narratives shape survivors’ identities, coping strategies, and recovery journeys. Particular attention is given to the experiences of marginalized communities, including LGBTQ2+ individuals and survivors impacted by cultural, racial, and systemic oppression. The discussion addresses implications for counsellors, families, organizations, and policymakers, emphasizing the necessity for trauma-informed, intersectional, and survivor-centered care. Recommendations for clinical, community, and policy levels, advocating for integrative therapeutic approaches, expanded support services, and systemic changes are included. Limitations include gaps in research around non-physical forms of abuse and diverse survivor populations. The capstone concludes by urging future research to focus on culturally grounded interventions, long-term recovery, and the impactful role of advocacy in healing. Through this work, the capstone aims to support more compassionate, just, and effective responses to IPV
Privacy and Data Security in Digital Health: Implications for Family Therapy
No full textLockhart, E. N. (2025). Privacy and data security in digital health: Implications for family therapy. Contemporary Family Therapy, 1-3.
Please contact the NU Library at [email protected] to request the .pdf.The integration of digital technologies into family therapy practices presents both significant opportunities and notable challenges. This editorial examines recent trends impacting the field, including the adoption of cloud-based storage solutions, the involvement of entities outside the scope of standard privacy regulations in data management, the rise of patient-generated health data, and the increasing use of tracking technologies. While cloud-based storage offers enhanced scalability and accessibility, it also introduces concerns about data security and confidentiality. The participation of non-regulated entities in managing family health data creates risks associated with insufficient privacy protections. Patient-generated health data provides valuable insights but raises privacy and data management issues. Additionally, tracking technologies can compromise sensitive health information by potentially disclosing it without explicit consent. This editorial emphasizes the need for marriage and family therapists to actively engage in the development and regulation of digital health tools to ensure that privacy and data security are prioritized, thereby safeguarding family confidentiality and maintaining trust in a digital age
The Perceived Impact of Somatic Coaching on Coach Effectiveness
No full textTraditional leadership development programs focused predominantly on reflective practices and cognitive skills are no longer sufficient for meeting contemporary leadership demands. Somatic coaching is a holistic approach in which the individual’s way of being is used as the ground to coach and develop leaders. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of coaches certified in the Strozzi Institute of Somatics' Somatic Coaching (SISC) training program. A qualitative research study was conducted to provide an in-depth understanding of the experiences of the SISC-certified coaches. A phenomenological research design was used to gain insights from the study participants. Intentional change theory and a human performance improvement model were used to frame the study. The research population consisted of coaches practicing as executive, business, corporate, or leadership coaches who graduated from the SISC training program since 2001. Semistructured interviews were conducted with eight SISC-certified coaches selected through purposeful sampling. The two research questions answered for the study were: What are the somatic change experiences of coaches certified in the somatic coaching methodology by the Strozzi Institute? What is the perceived impact of the somatic coaching methodological intervention on the coaching effectiveness of experienced coaches who become certified graduates of the Strozzi Institute Somatic Coaching training program? A purposeful six-phased approach to thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview responses. Four themes emerged. First, embodiment is a catalyst for somatics in coaching transformation. Second was, coaches experience enhanced embodied presence in their way of being through somatic coaching practices. The third theme was using the body in coaching improves effectiveness in the coaching relationship. The last theme was somatic coaching enhances coaches' effectiveness in facilitating client change. The findings indicate by addressing the being of leaders through somatic coaching, leaders can be prepared to lead effectively in the face of modern-day leadership complexities. The significance of the study is expanded knowledge about the role of the body in coaching as an intervention to develop and prepare leaders and to facilitate change. The research informs coaching practitioners, organizational stakeholders, and scholars about the importance of embodied approaches in leadership development
Internalized Shame: Origins, Impact, and Pathways to Healing
No full textInternalized shame is a deeply embedded, self-conscious emotion that negatively impacts mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. Unlike state-based shame, which arises in response to specific events, internalized shame becomes an enduring aspect of self-identity, contributing to mental health difficulties such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorders, and personality disorders. Despite its widespread impact, research on targeted therapeutic interventions remains limited. This capstone reviews the current literature on internalized shame, examines its developmental origins and psychological impact, and presents Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) as a framework for addressing it. Clinical applications for working with clients with internalized shame are discussed, with a focus on building a strong therapeutic relationship, working with protective parts, resolving internal conflicts, and fostering self-compassion. While preliminary research suggests that IFS may be effective in reducing shame and increasing self-compassion, further empirical studies are needed. This capstone highlights the need for continued research on internalized shame and encourages clinicians to consider IFS as a promising therapeutic intervention for clients experiencing internalized shame