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Let Me Explain: The Burden of Cultural Education on Transgender and Gender-Diverse Individuals in Counselling
No full textThe burden of cultural education is a microaggression that is commonly experienced by transgender and gender-diverse individuals in the counselling space. However, research surrounding this topic often lacks specificity as to what the burden of cultural education is and fails to categorize how it affects transgender and gender-diverse individuals. The literature review in this capstone addresses the guiding questions: "What is the effect of the burden of cultural education on transgender and gender-diverse individuals in counselling?" This review answers this question by synthesizing relevant scholarly articles, conducting a thematic analysis, and providing recommendations for practitioners looking to work with transgender and gender-diverse individuals from a transfeminist lens. Themes of the burden of cultural education, the risk of further microaggressions, counsellor identity, the therapeutic alliance, intersectionality, and counsellor education are identified and evaluated through an ethical and critical analysis.
This review shows that the burden of cultural education has several negative effects on transgender and gender-diverse individuals in counselling. The author recommends ways that practitioners seeking to work with transgender and gender-diverse individuals can mitigate the burden of cultural education and concludes with recommendations for future research and a reflective statement
Secondary Traumatic Stress in Rural Child Welfare Workers: A Push for Change
No full textThis Capstone examines the pervasive issue of secondary traumatic stress (STS) among child welfare workers employed in rural settings in Canada, highlighting the unique challenges faced by this often overlooked workforce. Drawing on existing literature and integrating an individualized systems framework and trauma theory, the research emphasizes the critical need for systemic change to support workers who are routinely exposed to trauma through their roles. The research identifies key factors that contribute to the prevention of STS, including individual coping mechanisms, and organizational support, and also points on the unique impact of the rural setting on job performance and mental health. The findings suggest that effective interventions, both from a child welfare organizational lens, and also a counseling application lens, must encompass an individualized, holistic approach, integrating individual self-care practices, robust organizational support systems, and trauma-informed leadership strategies. This Capstone aims to not only illuminate the struggles faced by rural child welfare workers but also advocate for comprehensive policy and practice initiatives that mitigate STS, enhance job satisfaction, and ultimately improve outcomes for both workers and the families they serve. The implications of this study are significant for leaders in child welfare organizations and counseling practitioners, providing a foundation for future research and targeted interventions to mitigate STS and foster healthier workplace culture
Assessing the Impact of Child and Caregiver Specific Factors on Caregiver Mental Health While Raising a Child With Auism Specturm Disorder
No full textParenting involves navigating many challenges that impact the social, emotional, mental, and physical well-being of both the parent and the child. Caregiver strain is often higher when childcare demands are higher. Caregivers raising a child diagnosed with ASD often face heightened strain, therefore leading to an increased risk of mental health challenges. Due to the increase in prevalence of ASD, it is essential to examine the impact this diagnosis has on caregiver mental health. This capstone examined the current research on the impact child-specific factors (symptom severity, comorbidities) and caregiver-specific factors (gender, socioeconomic status, culture, and access to external supports) had on caregiver mental health outcomes while raising a child with ASD. This capstone concluded that the current research has yielded mixed findings, leading to the proposal of a new research study aimed at developing a caregiver mental health assessment for practitioners working with this population
Living with Essential Tremor: Psychosocial Features and Recommendations for Group Therapy to Mitigate Symptoms
No full textThis capstone project focuses on Essential Tremor (ET), a common yet often overlooked movement disorder that affects millions of people, including those who may not even have a name for their symptoms. ET causes involuntary, rhythmic shaking that can affect the hands, arms, head, voice, and other parts of the body. It can begin at any age and is frequently mistaken for Parkinson’s disease, even though it is much more common, nearly eight times so. Despite its prevalence, ET remains widely misunderstood, not only by the public but also by medical professionals. Beyond the physical challenges, this project emphasizes the emotional and social toll the disorder can take, such as struggling with everyday tasks, feeling embarrassed in public, and dealing with anxiety or depression. In response, this capstone proposes a therapeutic group that combines Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and somatic practices to help individuals manage stress and emotional distress, which can often make tremors worse. The goal is to offer not just coping tools, but also a sense of community and support for those living with ET
Cognitive, Mental, Emotional and Social Impacts of Type 1 Diabetes on Adolescent Development: A Guide for Clinicians, Educators and Caregivers
No full textThis capstone project examines the neurobiological impact of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) on adolescent development to fill interdisciplinary research gaps and improve practices for mental health professionals, educators, and caregivers. The capstone contains a literature review of studies published between 2019 and 2025 (via PsycINFO, PubMed, ProQuest, ERIC) and is based on Daniel Siegel's Brainstorm (2015) conceptualization of adolescent neurobiological development. Multiple studies note significant structural and functional brain changes in adolescents with T1D. These include reduced white matter volume and altered prefrontal cortex activity, correlating with impairments in memory, processing speed, executive function, and motor coordination. Additionally, adolescents with previous incidences of novelty-seeking behaviour are associated with increased activation in reward brain regions moderated by cognitive control systems. These neurobiological changes intersect with psychosocial stressors, such as family and peer relationships, and provide opportunities for resilience. The project advances a holistic, developmentally sensitive model to integrate medical and mental health approaches in order to assist adolescents living with T1D to achieve emotional well-being
Understanding Depression and Anxiety in Teenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorder
No full textMy capstone examines the link between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the higher rates of anxiety and depression often seen in autistic teenagers. It looks at how the unique cognitive and social differences of students with ASD contribute to these challenges, and why traditional approaches to diagnosis and support often fall short. I also explore the role educators and school counselors can play in addressing these issues through inclusive and evidence-based practices. Strategies such as predictable routines, sensory accommodations, and flexible ways of showing learning are highlighted as ways to reduce stress and build a greater sense of safety for students. By connecting research with practical approaches in schools, my capstone emphasizes the need for collaboration, awareness, and supportive environments that promote both learning and mental well-being for neurodiverse students
The Language We Heal In: Code-Switching, Language Choice, and Power Dynamics in Multilingual Counselling
No full textIn a world with an increasing need for multilingualism, counselling psychology must address how linguistic practices shape therapeutic processes. This qualitative study explores how code-switching, language choice, and power dynamics influence emotional processing and therapeutic relationships in multilingual counselling. Guided by social constructionism, linguistic relativity, and the psychoanalytic theory of language, this literature review examined twelve peer-reviewed studies using reflexive thematic analysis (TA). Four key themes emerged from the analysis: (1) language as a site of identity and power, (2) code-switching as a power of control and connection, (3) emotional resonance, and (4) attunement and unspoken dynamics. Findings reveal that language repositions speakers within power dynamics, sociocultural hierarchies and identity constructions, affects relational distance, emotional access and meaning availability, and mobilizes transferential patterns tied to mother tongue and training language among multilingual therapists. These insights highlight the need for culturally and linguistically sensitive supervision and training models. By deepening understanding of linguistic dynamics in therapy, this study informs clinical practices that honour metalinguistic awareness, power disparities, and cultural humility
Psilocybin Assisted Therapy in End-of-Life Care
No full textThis capstone explores the therapeutic potential of psilocybin-assisted therapy in end-of-life care—a context where individuals often experience profound psychological, spiritual, and existential distress that conventional palliative approaches may not fully address (Block, 2006; Hanna et al., 2022). Grounded in both Indigenous ceremonial traditions and contemporary clinical research, the paper investigates how psilocybin can facilitate meaning making to reduce fear of death and promote emotional and spiritual healing in terminally ill individuals (George etal., 2022; Niles et al., 2021). Research highlights that mystical-type experiences induced by psilocybin often lead to increased peace, acceptance, and a sense of connection (Schimmel et al., 2020). Ethical, legal, and training barriers remain, limiting widespread access and integration of this therapy into mainstream palliative care (MacCallum et al., 2022; Yu et al., 2021). A proposed workshop for counsellors addresses these gaps, emphasizing the need for culturally sensitive, spiritually inclusive frameworks
Spontaneous Spiritual and Kundalini Awakenings: Understanding Their Phenomenology and Essential Insights for Clinicians
No full textThis review examines the phenomenological insights into spontaneous spiritual awakenings (SSAs) and kundalini awakenings (SKAs), with a focus on typologies, core characteristics, precipitating factors, reported benefits, and associated challenges. This review highlights how SSAs are often linked to heightened connectedness, positive psychological outcomes, and profound insight, whereas SKAs tend to manifest more physically and are associated with anomalous experiences. The review further explores implications for well-being, including challenges related to integration, such as spiritual emergencies, societal stigma, and fear of misdiagnosis. This review aims to reduce the risk of pathologization and iatrogenic harm by educating mental health professionals about the nature of SSAs and SKAs and enhancing therapeutic responsiveness by proposing strategies that clinicians can implement along with a sample curriculum for graduate-level training programs
The Correlation Between Attachment and Borderline Personality Disorder
No full textBorderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex and pervasive mental health condition that affects a significant part of the population, and is characterized by persistent interpersonal difficulties, mood instability, chronic feelings of emptiness and loneliness, fear of abandonment, self-harm, impulsivity, and diminished self-image. There are differing theories about the development of BPD, but this paper focuses on the correlation between attachment and BPD. Attachment theory is a psychological and developmental framework that is based on the premise that the type of attachment formed between children and their primary caregivers can shape their world views and determine future interpersonal relationships with others. This paper explores how attachment instability can be a precursor in the development of BPD. Research indicates that early intervention with attachment insecurity can alter the course of progress of BPD, as well as impede the intergenerational transmission of attachment insecurity and BPD. Review of literature undertaken for this Capstone paper show promising results for interventions with individuals and families, and for the promotion of more positive mental health benefits