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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
Hands to Heart: Therapeutic Techniques to Anchor Safety and Build Resilience in Children with Chronic Paediatric Medical Trauma
No full textPediatric medical traumatic stress (PMTS) can lead to considerable physical, social, and emotional development impacts in children and their families. Research has identified childhood as a particularly vulnerable developmental phase for medical trauma due to the extensive neurological, physical, and emotional growth occurring in early development. Historical gaps in research and discussion have led to less sensitivity and compassion to the depth of potential medical trauma exposure (McBain et al., 2023). Furthermore, medical trauma has a wide range of risk factors for children which can be misunderstood by a variety of professionals including counsellors (Locatelli, 2020). The aim of this capstone is to build context for counsellors in and out of school settings to understand the complex trauma response patterns, behaviours, and developmental delays rooted in medical trauma. Bringing a decolonizating and reconciliation lens to this capstone, I hope to honour a wide selection of voices including underrepresented voices and the value of story and to be reflective in my research process. The heart work in this capstone is to resource school and private counsellors with research and resources to support post-traumatic growth for children and their families using play therapy, a developmentally attuned therapeutic approach to childhood trauma (Bratton et al., 2005), and trauma sensitive techniques to support with pre-verbal and somatic memories
Is Self-Sabotage Hindering Romantic Relationship Success?
Get PDFThis capstone project aims to delve into the intricacies of romantic love, with a specific focus on the cognitive strategies of self-sabotage that hinder individuals' ability to both initiate and maintain romantic partnerships. Research indicates that self-sabotage manifests as a cycle of self-defeating patterns rooted in insecure attachment styles and negative self-concepts. These patterns, often ingrained from early childhood experiences, significantly shape behaviors, attitudes, and interactions within romantic relationships, ultimately leading to challenges in forming and sustaining healthy and fulfilling long-term connections with others. The cyclic nature of self-sabotage contributes to negative relationship patterns, impacting the components of commitment, intimacy, and passion needed for long-term romantic partnership. My intention is to explore the nuanced interplay between attachment injuries, internal working models, values, beliefs, and societal influences on romantic relationships to deepen understanding of both conscious and unconscious cognitive processes involved in self-sabotage within romantic contexts. This capstone also offers insights into nurturing greater self-reflection and proposes the continued use and further evaluation of the Relationship Sabotage Scale, a clinical instrument designed to assess self-sabotage within romantic relationships (Peel & Caltabiano, 2021)
The Parallel Processes of Counselling Supervision
No full textThe literature review explores various supervision models while highlighting key elements of developmental and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) supervision models to better understand the capstone research question: How can developmental and CBT supervision models be used together to support new counselling supervisees? Furthermore, the capstone research project explores additional supervision models, including reflective supervision, Functional Analytic Psychotherapy, and the Critical Events Model, to support the implementation of a new hypothetical model identified as the SAM CAM supervision model. The capstone research project emphasizes the gaps researchers brought forth that are useful in future studies, including longitudinal research, the use of evidence-based observational methods, and reflective practices to aid in best practices in supervision. The capstone research project highlights the implications for counselling psychology, including cultural and ethical considerations for best practices in supervision and when implementing the SAM CAM supervision model
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: An Introduction to Clinical Practice & Theoretical Concepts
Get PDFPsychedelic-assisted therapy is an emerging therapeutic modality within the healthcare system. The use of psychedelics for therapeutic purposes, spiritual exploration, and personal growth has garnered increased attention in the past few decades. The evidence-based research through clinical trials conducted by reputable clinicians and healthcare institutions has demonstrated the legitimacy of psychedelics for treating mental health conditions, and for being healing tools to increase an individual’s quality of life. As a result, there has been a significant rise in curiosity from the general public regarding psychedelic-assisted therapy as a treatment modality. This has led to a demand for clinicians to be thoroughly and competently educated as to how psychedelics can be utilized within clinical, therapeutic environments for healing purposes. Drawing from the research and literature reviews, this paper intends to provide an in-depth guide for clinicians who are interested in learning about this therapeutic modality. It will also discuss the core foundational therapeutic philosophies, three theoretical frameworks and interventions which are utilized in clinical research and practice, a summary of psychedelics in Western culture and healthcare, and key ethical considerations within this healing modality
Emotionally Focused Therapy With Couples Impacted by Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
No full textRelationship Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (ROCD) is a relatively-novel and unknown theme of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) marked by obsessions and compulsions focused upon important figures in sufferers' lives as well as their relationships with them. Despite the documented impacts of this condition on sufferers, their romantic partners, and their relationships with one another, recommendations for its treatment have focused almost exclusively on the mitigation of the former’s symptoms. Accordingly, this capstone research project aims to improve therapists' awarenesses and understandings of ROCD and, thus, their abilities to treat this condition by reviewing the literature on its symptoms, epidemiology, etiology, impacts, and treatment. Additionally, it attempts to enhance couples therapists' abilities to support clients impacted by ROCD by providing an overview of the literature on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) as well as recommendations for how this modality might best be conducted with this population. Such recommendations include the use of EFT as an adjunct to individual ROCD treatment and specific ways in which practitioners might leverage knowledge of this disorder as they conduct assessment, establish the therapeutic alliance, and consult on process with clients, as well as mitigate potential issues of symptom contagion and accommodation
The Role of Self-Care and Supervision in Addressing Vicarious Trauma in Counsellors Working with Clients with Complex Trauma
No full textWorking with clients with complex trauma brings on unique challenges for counsellors; namely, vicarious trauma. In this capstone, I discuss the role of self-care and supervision for counsellors who experience vicarious trauma while working with clients with complex trauma. Clients with complex trauma have experienced chronic and interpersonal trauma in their childhood. These clients present with emotional dysregulation, interpersonal conflict, and negative self-concept. As their stories unfold, counsellors must make appraisal of these traumatic stories and traumatic information. These appraisals can be negative leading to vicarious trauma or they can be positive bringing about vicarious post-traumatic growth. In order to experience the vicarious post-traumatic growth, counsellors need to intentionally engage in self-care and trauma-approach supervision. However, there are barriers to accessing either one of the above, leading to the counsellors to rely solely on their resilience. Research has shown that resiliency alone cannot support counsellors through the experience of vicarious trauma. Therefore, this capstone proposes a practical application of self-care and supervision through an accessible workshop designed to support counsellors. There is discussion of practical ways to make self-care a way of being and to engage in supervision for growth and self-care
Destigmiatzing Psychedelic Assisted Therapy as a Treatment Modality for Individuals with a Diagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder
No full textAlcohol use disorder (AUD) is a prevalent and debilitating condition with significant public health implications. Traditional treatment approaches achieve limited success which has necessitated the exploration of alternative modalities. Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) has gained recent attention for promising results in several clinical trials, however it’s efficacy and mechanisms of action remain underexplored. This capstone reviews the existing literature pertaining to PAP as a treatment protocol for AUD while focusing on current research exploring the theories of mechanistic action. Primarily the intention is to explore whether PAP reduces problematic drinking among populations with a diagnosis of AUD
The Compatibility of Positive Psychology and Alcoholics Anonymous 12-Step Recovery Model: An Enhanced Perspective and Integrated Approach to Positive Recovery
No full textThe purpose of this capstone is to investigate the impacts of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), compare Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and positive psychology (PP) as AUD interventions and determine the compatibility of PP and AA as an enhanced, integrated approach to AUD recovery. Chapter one introduces AUD, gives an overview of marginalization in AA, how PP both compliments and positively contrasts with AA and definition of terms. Chapter two introduces the research questions and reviews the literature on AUD, provides an overview of AA and PP and highlights the benefits and weaknesses of AA and PP as interventions. Chapter three is a discussion as to why an enhanced approach to AUD integrating AA and PP would be worth considering when dealing with clients who have a desire to change their relationship with alcohol
Beyond Hot Flashes: Counselling for Improved Mental Health in Perimenopause
No full textThis capstone explores the role of counsellors in the support and empowerment of women in perimenopause, a population that is currently vastly underserved. The paper highlights the significant impact on individuals' quality of life and broader economic implications, including a $3.5b annual cost to the Canadian economy resulting from inadequate research, systemic barriers, and societal stigmas. The paper summarizes existing research through feminist, social-constructivist, and existential-humanistic therapeutic frameworks. The research includes an exploration of the presenting problem, evidence-based therapies for managing symptoms, and best practices for counselling perimenopausal clients through psychoeducation, resilience-building, lifestyle support and interdisciplinary care. The capstone presents with a three-pronged approach to counselling perimenopausal clients and concludes by highlighting the need for continued research and increased awareness among individuals, counsellors, and policy makers to address gaps in perimenopause care