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Disabled Sex Workers: Exploring the Influence of Dominant Discourse and Social Constructs to Increase Counsellor Competency
No full textDisability and sexuality are often considered taboo topics and not considered in relation to each other. Due to this, sex work stigma and disabled sexuality stigma have invisibilized disabled sex workers. This has led to a dearth of literature pertaining to the nuanced and diverse experiences of disabled sex workers. This capstone explores the social constructs and dominant discourses surrounding sex work and disability to understand the impact on disabled sex workers. The overarching purpose of this capstone is to transform a discourse laden with shame and stigma to one of agency, resilience, and creativity in the face of multiple barriers to facilitate increased counsellor competency. The findings demonstrate that failing to consider intersectional identities will homogenize and fail to recognize the nuanced experiences of sex workers with disabilities. Further, the findings highlight the necessity of viewing sex work through a disability lens. This research calls for disabled sex worker visibility within counselling and counsellors moving beyond the therapy room to facilitate meaningful change
The Impact of Parental Illness Factors on Parentified Young Caregivers' Adjustment
No full textThis paper is a methodological analysis of 10 peer-reviewed studies to gain an understanding of the impact of parental illness factors on parentified young caregivers' adjustment. Young caregivers are underrepresented in research, with much of the existing literature focusing on the impact of singular parental diagnosis or maladaptive responses to providing care. This review responds to these limitations by conducting a methodological analysis to investigate what parental illness factors impact youth adjustment, both positively and negatively. The findings offer insight into how severity of parental illness, type of parental illness, and family structure impact the adjustment of young caregivers. Protective factors and other adjustment findings are also explored. Clinicians can use these insights to work effectively at the system, family, and individual level by developing multidisciplinary assessment, treatment planning, and intervention. This review also explores ethical considerations and recommendations for future research and at the clinical level
Understanding Negative Body Image and Its Consequences in Black Women from a Culturally Responsive Lens
No full textNegative body image in Black women is a critically understudied and misunderstood sociocultural issue that is often viewed from a Eurocentric lens, ignoring the cultural nuances that exist for Black women, which is reflective of the historical and systemic discrimination and erasure that Black women have long faced in North America. This capstone research project utilizes a thematic literature review of peer-reviewed studies published between 2019 and 2024 to investigate how culturally specific factors shape and influence body image and the lived experiences of Black women. This review is guided by the question: How can we better understand body image concerns in Black women to provide culturally responsive counseling and treatment? Key findings reveal that negative body image is developed and influenced in adolescence by parents, family and friends, and for Black women is compounded by factors such as colorism, conflicting Eurocentric and cultural beauty standards, the strong, black woman persona, and media representations that portray Black women in a marginalized, caricatured, and stereotyped way. These culturally nuanced stressors are linked to mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders that are often undiagnosed and untreated due to systemic and cultural barriers, emphasizing the importance of culturally responsive therapeutic practices, community-based interventions, and culturally inclusive frameworks in both research and clinical practice to better understand and address the unique experiences of Black women with body image-related concerns
Supporting Our Youngest Learners: The Need and Benefit of Elementary School Counsellors
No full textMental illness is on the rise worldwide and British Columbia is no different. More children with mental illness go untreated than those who are lucky enough to receive support. Access to mental health support is a huge barrier for many families for various reasons, such as wait lists, cost, and even physical location and time constraints. When children are struggling with mental illness, it affects their ability to learn, to socialize, and to regulate. This often is more apparent in a school setting. There are also children who do not present as having a mental illness as they are exhibiting internalizing behaviours and are often overlooked for support because their behaviour is not extreme. The current system is set up as a downstream or reactionary one, only providing support once a child is in crisis. Early intervention, or an upstream approach, is key to preventing more serious mental illness or comorbidities as the child moves through adolescence and later into adulthood. The long-term benefits to society in general far outweigh the initial investment. Elementary school counsellors are able to provide this early intervention. Their role is to support school staff and administration in developing a comprehensive school counselling program unique to that school. They have a direct impact on school culture through collaboration with staff, supporting staff with social emotional learning, and to promote mental health by normalizing help seeking and reduce the stigma around mental illness. The sooner we can support our youngest learners in a setting they spend most of their time in, we are able to access
many of those students who are at risk or marginalized, and who often need mental health support the most. The time to invest in our youngest learners is now
Psychological Interventions for the Treatment of Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures
No full textFrequently misdiagnosed as epilepsy, psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) are a presentation of functional neurological symptom disorder (FNSD). PNES often results in patients experiencing unnecessary medical procedures, potentially harmful medications, and repeated emergency department visits instead of appropriate therapeutic intervention. The purpose of this capstone is to provide a thorough review of recent academic literature regarding the treatment of PNES so counselling clinicians may be informed to offer appropriate support to this patient population. The focus of the research is to identify which therapeutic psychological interventions might provide for the elimination of seizures. The findings from the literature indicate numerous treatment interventions might be beneficial in eliminating or reducing the frequency of seizures, as well as improving quality of life (QOL). On-going research is required due to the lack of random-controlled trials and limitations in the studies conducted to date. Numerous obstacles to research and treatment for individuals experiencing PNES exist. Recent proposed delivery of care models and advocacy for more robust research may provide opportunity for clinicians to confidently provide psychological treatment intervention for those experiencing PNES
Echoes of the Past: The Long-Term Impact of Childhood Trauma on Mental Health and Well-Being
No full textChildhood experiences provide the foundation of an individual’s development into their identity. These early experiences contribute to shaping how we perceive the world, regulate our emotions, form relationships, and respond to stress. In this capstone, I examine the significant role that childhood experiences play in shaping an individual’s well-being and outcomes in adulthood. I explore a few of the many factors that influence development and experiences such as culture, protective factors, and systemic challenges. The findings in the literature indicate that childhood experiences have lasting impacts that differ for everybody. Positive experiences such as a safe and supportive environment have shown to be associated with improved overall well-being in adulthood. On the contrary, the more adversities individuals experienced in their childhood, the more likely they are to face challenges in their adulthood such as mental and physical health issues. As the impacts show up differently for everybody, it is critical to consider individual differences during treatment. By taking on a person-centered and trauma-informed approach, counselors can personalize treatment to their client’s needs and values. Taking into account the complexity of the matter, more research is required to understand the impact of childhood experiences at different stages in development and the best ways to intervene. Although deeper research would be beneficial, longitudinal studies on the topic of adverse childhood experiences face many challenges including ethical issues
Under Construction: The Impact of Socialized Gender on Posttraumatic Growth
No full textTrauma caused by seismic events can change the trajectory of someone's life for better or worse. If left unresolved, it can cause physical, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive impairment. However, if processed optimally, it can lead to positive transformation. Utilizing Tedeschi and Calhoun's (1995) theory of Posttraumatic Growth (PTG), this capstone explores how aspects of socialized gender constructs impact an individual’s likelihood of experiencing measurable growth in personal strength, new possibilities, relating to others, appreciation of life, and spiritual change after an experience of trauma. Sociocultural beliefs regarding traditional masculinity appear to reduce growth outcomes for men. In contrast, social scripts regarding femininity seemingly allow women to engage in the PTG process. As such, this capstone is intended to increase access to PTG for all genders and to help counselling psychologists identify barriers to growth. Gaps and limitations in the published literature are identified, including suboptimal study designs, inconsistency of measures, overemphasizing positive growth outcomes, and difficulty conceptualizing and quantifying broad multifaceted concepts such as trauma. This capstone provides recommendations on future directions for research into PTG in the field of counselling psychology. Findings from the literature are then used to generate hypotheses and potential recommendations for consideration regarding gender-sensitive and trauma-informed therapy and how therapists might consider applying an integrative PTG framework to current practices
Unravelling the Impact: A Comprehensive Examination of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Interventions for Registered Clinical Counsellors in Treating Birth Trauma
No full textThis Capstone paper explores how Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help Registered Clinical Counsellors treat birth trauma. Birth trauma can have a huge impact on physical, emotional and mental health, leading to conditions like PTDS, anxiety, and depression. This research dives into the prevalence of birth trauma, identifying key risk factors and its effects on individuals and families. Through a thorough review of existing literature, I example the core principles of CBT- cognitive restructuring, behavioural activation, exposure therapy, and psychoeducation- and how these can be applied to support those who have experienced traumatic childbirth. The findings highlight the potential of CBT to improve mental health outcomes and emphasize the importance of trauma-informed care and culturally sensitive approaches. This paper discusses the implications for clients, families, healthcare organizations, policymakers, and registered clinical counsellors, offering recommendations for integrating CBT into maternity care. My goal is to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and clinical practice, fostering empathy, awareness, and effective interventions for individuals dealing with birth trauma
Therapeutic Sound: Establishing Safety, Regulation, and Attachment in Adults With Developmental Trauma
No full textThis comprehensive research analysis explores the intricate relationship between developmental trauma (DT), psychoneuroimmunology (PNI), attachment theory, and the application of therapeutic sound to address the outcomes of early life adversity. Highlighting trauma’s impact on the nervous system, it traces the evolution of our understanding of psychological trauma as neurobiological injuries that profoundly affect physical and mental health. It highlights the adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) study, emphasizing the pathophysiological adaptations from early ongoing and unresolvable stress. Advocating a holistic approach to counselling, this paper highlights innovative therapeutic interventions that include the nervous system in treatment planning, while working to support the client’s sense of safety, security, and capacity for healthy relationships.
Informed by research in PNI and social neurobiology, theory on therapeutic sound guides how to support nervous system regulation and promote healing of neurophysiological injuries resulting from trauma. This capstone research project broadens the scope of interventions available to counsellors and psychotherapists working with DT and opens avenues for future research in social neurobiology and the therapeutic potentials of sound. It calls for a paradigm shift towards a more integrative, client-oriented approach that centers on the biological underpinnings of trauma, with a focus on fostering resilience and well-being for adults who have experienced early life adversity