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Understanding the Process of Mentalization-Based Therapy for Addressing Low-Level Parental Reflective Functioning Among Parent Survivors of Child Abuse
No full textThe issue that this capstone project addresses is the lack of understanding of mentalization based therapy (MBT) approaches for addressing the development of parental reflective functioning (PRF) among parent survivors of child abuse. To address this issue, the purpose of this capstone project is to provide an in-depth theoretical analysis that will critically explore the strengths, challenges, and gaps of the literature on MBT approaches for addressing parent survivors' PRF. A traditional-narrative approach was utilized to gather data from a variety of theoretical back-grounds (e.g., attachment theory, interpersonal neurobiology), and literature of various research methods (e.g., qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods). This data was critically analyzed through an Affect Regulation Theory lens to consider factors of attachment style, trauma history, and interpersonal neurobiology on the context of how parent survivors relate to their children. This analysis led to the following 6 themes: the therapist's mentalizing stance; addressing epis-temic trust; following parent survivors' lead and pace; regulating parent survivors' emotional arousal; handling parent survivors' non-mentalizing modes; and assessing shifts from non-mentalizing to increased PRF. These themes may be beneficial for understanding effective and appropriate ways for therapists to support increased development of PRF among parent survivors
Multicultural Supervision and Black Female Counsellors
No full textThe literature review in this capstone paper addresses the dynamic between Black female supervisees and supervisors. The author researched Black women’s experiences in supervision to fill a gap the current literature on the topic. Little research exists on the effect of the supervision dynamic on Black women. The research question for this literature review is "In what ways do supervisors' and supervisees' dynamic relationships impact Black women in counselling supervision?" The major findings include the following themes: the skewed power dynamics in supervision, the inference of metastereotypes in supervision, the internalisation of stereotypes, the experience of microaggressions in supervision, and cultural humility in supervision as a panacea. This study shows that Black women in counselling supervision risk multiple adverse effects from the supervision dynamic. The author makes recommendations for aspiring supervisees and supervisors to mitigate these challenges. The author also recommended relational-cultural theory, strength-based supervision, and an ecological-systems approach to future practice in the supervision of Black women. The study concludes with clinical recommendations for practice, future research questions, and a reflective statement
Exploring the Internal Barriers of Mental Health Help-Seeking Behaviors Among Adults from a Trauma-Informed Lens
No full textMental health is directly connected to people's quality of life. Through a literature review, this paper explores existing knowledge on the internal barriers of people who do not seek mental health support and the utility of counselling services. The research findings suggest that social learning-based, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive directory services offer promising facilitators to encourage people to seek professional mental health support and improve psychological well-being. Additionally, this paper discusses challenges and limitations associated with trauma responses and suggests future research directions, including the related areas to bridge services for people who seek mental health support
Fragmented Identities: The Immigrant Experience of Cultural Loss, Grief and Attachment
No full textImmigration is a part of Canada's cultural fibre. As such, counsellors will likely work with immigrant clients who are experiencing challenges related to unnamed grief. This capstone explores the immigrant experience of cultural loss and its impact on attachment styles. Research in the areas of living losses, attachment, and culture is presented to provide counsellors with a framework for addressing the grief that can accompany the loss of culture. Special attention is given to disenfranchised grief and ambiguous loss to expand conceptualizations around grief and better address the needs of immigrant clients. Psychoeducational resources are provided to support counsellors in naming and validating the loss of culture
Life Without Mom: Understanding Developmental Challenges
No full textMaternal loss profoundly impacts adolescent development, yet tailored support for motherless daughters in Canada is scarce. This paper examines the unique challenges faced by adolescent motherless daughters, critiques existing support structures, and proposes a specialized therapeutic program, "Mom’s Legacy: Supporting Sisters." Chapter One introduces the research problem and outlines the research objectives, emphasizing the need for age-specific interventions. Chapter Two reviews literature on grief, adolescence, and the continuing bonds theory, highlighting the developmental and emotional complexities of maternal loss. Chapter Three discusses a proposed therapeutic program, drawing from Irvin D. Yalom's group therapy principles and Mary Hedtke's continuing bonds approach. Mom’s Legacy: Supporting Sister’s, a therapeutic group designed for girls aged 13-18, aims to provide peer support, and honor the enduring influence of mothers through a six-week program. Ethical and cultural considerations ensure inclusivity and respect for diverse grieving processes. This study highlights the importance of developing targeted, culturally sensitive support systems for motherless daughters, advocating for further research and programs to address this critical gap in mental health services
The Adverse Impact of Early Childhood Cancer Diagnoses & it’s Effect on Mental Health in Adulthood
No full textChildhood cancer survivors face unique and significant challenges as they transition into adulthood, with many experiencing long-term mental health effects that stem from their early experiences with the disease. This capstone examines the adverse impact of an early childhood cancer diagnosis on the patients and survivors' mental health and their families. Through a comprehensive literature review this capstone explores key mental health outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also evaluates the effectiveness of various therapeutic interventions, such as trauma-informed therapy, narrative therapy and family systems interventions aiming to help support survivors and their families. This capstone underscores the importance of implementing family-centered care in both research and practice. The findings suggest that while many survivors can demonstrate remarkable resilience, given the adverse effects of diagnosis, there remains a critical need for tailored mental health support that acknowledges the complex and enduring impact of childhood cancer. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge aimed at improving the quality of life for adult survivors of childhood cancer and their families by offering recommendations for future research and clinical practice
Comprehensive Therapeutic Framework for Functional Seizures in the Paediatric Population
No full textAn unexpected seizure in a child or adolescent can evoke a wave of fear, often leading doctors and parents to suspect epilepsy. When diagnostic tests reveal no abnormal brain activity and the seizures continue, however, a different diagnosis arises: functional seizures. This often misunderstood condition presents unique challenges for children, adolescents, their families, and healthcare providers alike. Unlike epileptic seizures, functional seizures are thought to stem from psychological distress, not brain abnormalities. As such, traditional epilepsy treatments are ineffective. The absence of standardized treatment guidelines for paediatric functional seizures highlights a significant gap in both research and clinical practice. This paper examines therapeutic approaches for managing functional seizures in young people, advocating for evidence-based strategies that include medical, psychological, and family-centred care. Through a review of the key literature and a detailed analysis of clinical outcomes, this work seeks to establish a framework for effective management that is rooted in the biopsychosocial model. By emphasizing early diagnosis, individualized interventions, and a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach, this research aims to enhance care and outcomes for young people affected by functional seizures
Illuminating Autism: How the Neurotypical Bias Hurts Autistic Individuals and the Acknowledgment of the Undiagnosed Many
Get PDFThe focus of this capstone is to better understand the late diagnosed and undiagnosed autistic adult experience. I lay out how society came to the understanding of autism we have today - starting in 1911 from a deficit medical model point of view, which society still largely holds, but is being challenged by the neurodiversity movement. The diagnosed prevalence of autism has gone from 1% to about 3.4%, due to an increased understanding of autism, and with the "lost generation" of late diagnosed and undiagnosed adults. I delve into autistic traits, and explore beyond the surface understanding of them, which highlight the presence of the neurotypical bias in society at large as well as in the helping professions. I go over the ways in which autistic people may have been harmed by this neurotypical bias, such as through misdiagnosis, a life of camouflaging, and very significantly, the female autism phenotype that has been unrecognized until recently, leaving so many autistic females ignored and unseen. I discuss autism in the context of ableism — how our world is designed for the neurotypical majority. Finally, presented in chapter three is an article I have written for RCCs about autism, in which I will illuminate some misconceptions about autism - expanding on the assumptions society has made about autism, and sharing how the neurotypical bias has blinded us to seeing autism clearly
Creating a Safe Space: Therapeutic Relationships With Adolescents Who Have Experienced Childhood Emotional Abuse
Get PDFIn this capstone the author explores the experiences of adolescents who have endured childhood emotional abuse within the therapeutic relationship. Significant numbers of individuals experience childhood emotional abuse, with adolescence offering a developmental period of critical intervention. However, exploration of the impact on this population remains a gap in the literature. The author conducted a comprehensive literature review, analysis, and synthesis of various scholarly studies and found that adolescence holds an array of challenges that inhibit the ability to form and maintain strong therapeutic alliances through difficulties with trust, emotional dysregulation, rejection sensitivity, and the stigmatisation of mental health care. The negative effects of childhood emotional abuse often hinder the capacity to form therapeutic alliances because of challenges in trust, emotional dysregulation, and low psychological well-being. The intersection of these factors has significant negative implications for opportunities for adolescents who have experienced childhood emotional abuse to foster positive relationships and heal through the therapeutic process. Understanding the intersection of impacts on this population is vital to provide therapeutic supports competently and effectively. In consideration of the findings of the capstone project, the author has made suggestions for clinical applications and future areas of research
The Impact of Caregiving on Adult Children and Empowering Counsellors to Support Adult Child Caregivers
No full textThe world population of individuals 60 years of age or older is expected to reach 1.4 billion by 2030, and 2.1 billion by 2050, and these individuals may need assistance with their activities of daily living. Many adult children step into the role of providing care for their aging parents, and they are often unprepared for the role of the caregiver and receive inadequate support and guidance. The resulting strain on these adult child caregivers can have a negative impact on their wellbeing. They may turn to counselling for support, and therefore counsellors should be prepared to adequately support the needs of their caregiver clients. Based on a literature review, this capstone project explored the negative impact of caregiving, the underlying factors, and support options available for counsellors to support caregivers. By raising awareness of caregiver needs and providing support options, this capstone intended to empower counsellors with the knowledge to better support caregivers