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When Reunification Isn’t Enough: Addressing the Limitations of Family Therapy for Transnational Families
No full textDespite the emotional and relational difficulties faced by transnational families after reunification, Alberta lacks a structured integration of evidence-based family therapy models to support them. Without input from local practitioners, service agencies, and families, therapeutic interventions risk remaining culturally and contextually inadequate. Addressing these shortcomings in the literature gap is vital to developing responsive, effective, and equitable family therapy frameworks in the province
Reframing PNES: Attachment and Gender as Keys to Closing the Onset, Diagnosis and Treatment Gap
No full textPsychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) is a common psychological condition, qualified under functional neurological (conversion) disorders in the DSM-5-TR (American Psychiatric Association), 2013). While symptoms are similar to epileptic seizures (ES), PNES is not caused by electrical activity in the brain. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a risk factor for the development of PNES; however, ACEs research has been underutilized in understanding and treating the condition. Attachment theory, closely linked to ACEs research, is a trauma-informed theory that has been used to understand the etiology and inform treatment for many psychological conditions. It is likely that attachment theory is being underutilized in treatment of PNES. Despite having similar symptoms to ES, the impact of PNES on the quality of life of individuals is notably different. Social and structural systems of power, such as patriarchy and the role of gender, are partly responsible for the differences in quality of life. Further, systems of power contribute to the onset, diagnosis, and treatment gap experienced by individuals with PNES. It is suggested that further research identifying the role of gender and attachment in the presentation, perpetuation, and treatment outcomes of PNES will support the continued education of psychotherapists and the mitigation of the onset, diagnosis, and treatment gap
Improving Drug Treatment Court Programs: The Development of a Multiple Family Group Therapy Treatment Manual
No full textEducational Leadership & Learning Lifelon
Examining the Relationship between Artificial Intelligence Features and Financial Performance Among Non-Financial Firms
No full textThe problem addressed in this study was the barrier among non-financial firms (NFFs) to incorporate AI features (AIFs) driven by the lack of knowledge and empirical evidence linking AIFs usage to tangible financial outcomes. This gap hindered firms’ understanding of how AIFs adoption affects financial performance indicators (FPIs), particularly in big data and Internet of Things (IoT), adversely impacting their operational efficiency and sustained competitiveness. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the predictive relationship between AIFs and FPIs among NFFs operating within these technological contexts. The conceptual framework is depicted from the artificial neural network (ANN) theory, stressing the strategic value of AIFs in optimizing financial results. Using Qualtrics, data was collected through survey responses from 211 technology-sector NFFs listed in the Nasdaq Composite Index. Additionally, 77 secondary sources were used to identify, through mode statistics, the 12 core financial ratios that represent the firm’s FPIs. Three models were built using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to assess the predictive relationship between AIFs and FPIs: (a) an indirect model with six latent mediators, Functional Automation Constructs (FACs), (b) a refined indirect model excluding weak predictors in the previous model, and (c) a direct model linking AIFs to increases in FPIs. Descriptive statistics, principal component analysis, and bootstrapping confirmed models’ reliability and statistical significance. Results revealed that two AIF dimensions - years of use and processes integration level – had consistent and statistically significant predictive relationships with FPIs. This study offers theoretical and practical contributions by highlighting how AIFs maturity and organizational integration enhance financial performance and resilience in NFFs. The findings support digital strategy development and investment planning. Future research should explore alternative modeling strategies, longitudinal designs, and cross-industry comparisons to validate and expand on these findings
Before Attachment: Maternal-Infant Bonding in the First Eight Weeks
No full textThis paper re-evaluates mother-infant bonding and attachment through the lenses of current neuroscience, interpersonal psychology, and matricentric feminism. It outlines maternal-infant bonding as a dyadic neurobiological process rooted in interpersonal synchrony and mammalian biology. Bonding occurs in the first eight weeks of life, is fundamental to human psychosocial functioning, and becomes the basis for all later human affiliative bonds, including romantic attachments. New bonding research based in neuroscience calls into question a half-century of attachment research focused on older babies, the feminist dismissal of bonding as a scientific fiction, and the narrow focus of psychotherapy on self-actualization of the individual. Two crucial perspectives had previously gone unexamined—those of newborns and mothers themselves. Neonatal babies were believed too passive and blank to participate in the bonding process and were ignored by researchers until they could demonstrably express feelings toward the mother. Mothers were seen as the agents of their baby’s wellness but rarely asked for their own views on bonding or mothering. Neuroscience now confirms infants were underestimated. They build foundational neurocircuitry for lifelong psychosocial functioning during a critical developmental window that opens at birth and closes after eight weeks. Newborn babies actively participate in their own social learning and mothers undergo simultaneous neural change, opening tremendous possibility and also vulnerability for both. During this crucial time, mothers and newborns function as an intersubjective dyad rather than two individuals. The psychosocial health of each depends upon the other. Consequently, the wellbeing of new mothers demands new primacy and attention from mental health professionals
Building Resilience and Influencing Behavioral Outcomes Among Students With Emotional Disturbances: A Qualitative Case Study of Inclusive Teachers
No full textStudents with emotional disturbance often struggle with emotional regulation, adapting to adversity, and maintaining academic engagement, leading to behavioral disruptions and achievement gaps. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how middle school general education teachers in southern Mississippi perceive resilience, apply instructional strategies to foster it, and identify effective practices for supporting students with emotional disturbance in inclusive settings. Guided by resilience theory, which defines resilience as positive adaptation to adversity supported by protective and environmental factors, the study included 10 general education teachers teaching in inclusive classrooms. Data were collected through the University of Washington Resilience Scale, semi-structured interviews, and classroom observations, and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-step thematic process. Triangulation across data sources enhanced the credibility and consistency of interpretation. Four themes emerged: (a) building trust and support systems, (b) developing emotional and academic resilience, (c) modeling and promoting resilient behaviors, and (d) collaborating with a foundational understanding of resilience. Teachers described resilience as persistence in the face of setbacks, emotional regulation, and re-engagement with learning. They emphasized that trust, consistent routines, and teacher modeling supported engagement, while collaboration among educators and support staff promoted continuity of care. These findings align with resilience theory, showing that adaptive systems, such as caring relationships and structured environments, support positive development despite adversity. The results suggest implications for educator preparation and policy, including professional development in resilience-based instruction, integration of social-emotional learning, and structured collaboration to strengthen inclusive practices
South Asian Parenting, Mental Health, and Cultural Adaptation in First-Generation Immigrant Youth
No full textThis capstone explores how South Asian parenting and intergenerational family dynamics influence the cultural adaptation and mental health of first-generation immigrant youth in North America. Drawing on established models of acculturation, bicultural identity integration, and resilience, the paper synthesizes theoretical and empirical research to illuminate how collectivist family values can serve as both protective and challenging forces in the adaptation process. The analysis highlights the intersections of parental expectations, stigma, and systemic inequities with resilience, spirituality, and community strengths that shape youth well-being. Findings emphasize the importance of cultural humility in counselling practice, encouraging counsellors to approach cultural tension as a potential site of empathy and growth rather than conflict. The applied component, Bridging Generations: Culturally Responsive Counselling with South Asian Immigrant Families, translates research into practice through a two-day workshop designed to enhance counsellor cultural awareness, communication, and advocacy. Together, the findings advance multicultural counselling scholarship and provide a framework for culturally responsive, strengths-based engagement with South Asian clients and families
Parents of Adolescents Navigating Sexual and Gender Diverse Identity
No full textThis research explores how counsellors can effectively support parents of gender-diverse adolescents (ages 13-18), especially those navigating emotional distress and confusion in response to their child’s non-conforming gender identity. Drawing on theories of adolescent development, family systems, and socioecological models, it examines the relational dynamics between parents and gender-diverse adolescents, with a focus on how counsellors can foster family resilience. The increasing visibility of gender-diverse youth, particularly within Gen Z, has highlighted the need for culturally competent, affirming family support systems. This study reveals how parental reactions, shaped by cultural, generational, and religious factors, can significantly impact adolescent mental health outcomes. Research findings demonstrate how positive parental responses, such as emotional attunement, psychoeducation, and narrative reframing, can reduce mental health risks, while negative responses correlate with heightened distress. The study also signifies the importance of integrating culturally grounded approaches,
notably for families navigating cultural dissonance. Recommendations for counsellors include strategies for supporting parents in processing ambiguous loss, involving gender work, and advocating for gender-affirming practices. Future research is required to uncover the long-term impacts of family-centered interventions, particularly in the context of marginalized and diverse populations. Ultimately, this work calls for a more inclusive, contextually grounded
understanding of both adolescence and parenting, one that centers on identity, culture, and relational connection
The Impact of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Interventions on Anxiety for Children Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review of Approaches and Outcomes
No full textThis capstone explores the impact of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) interventions on anxiety with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD is a neurodevelopment disorder frequently co-occurring with anxiety disorders. Traditional CBT has been recognized as a gold-standard treatment for effectively treating anxiety disorders in neurotypical children; however, modifications are necessary to address differences in autistic children. The purpose of this capstone is to understand the approaches and outcomes of modified CBT to understand its suitability for children with ASD. Analysis and synthesis of current literature highlights core adaptations such as delivery format, cognitive and communication adaptations, use of special interests, and parental involvement. Findings suggest improvements in anxiety symptoms, emotional regulation, and functional participation following modified CBT interventions, allowing for discussion of why these adaptations are better suited for children with ASD. Nonetheless, gaps and limitations in literature remain regarding small sample sizes, lack of standardized assessments, and limited long-term follow-up data for example. This capstone highlights the effectiveness of modifying CBT approaches and interventions in alignment with the ASD profile to enhance suitability and improve outcomes
Examining the Efficacy of Combining Psychotherapy and Ketamine Treatments for the Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Adults
No full textEmotional disorders, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety, appear to be on the rise in Canada. Counselling, medication, and mental health information are the most common forms of mental health support offered in Canada, often with limited efficacy. Emerging research has shown that ketamine-assisted psychotherapy may be an effective treatment for clients with emotional disorders, especially those who have become treatment resistant. In this paper, a systematic review was completed that examined the efficacy of combining ketamine with psychotherapy for the treatment of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and/or anxiety. The goal of this literature review is to determine the efficacy of combining ketamine with psychotherapy for the treatment of emotional disorders in adults and identify gaps in the literature that merit further investigation. Findings suggest that ketamine-assisted psychotherapy may be an effective treatment for emotional disorders in adults with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and/or anxiety. A limitation found across studies was that the length of time that relief lasted was variable, and often undetermined as there were inconsistencies in follow-up methods. While the initial findings of a reduction in symptoms from all the studies are promising, further research with control groups, larger sample sizes, consistent evidence-based psychotherapy modalities, consistent ketamine dosing protocols, and longer-term follow-up periods are merited