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Ketamine Along with Psychotherapy for Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD)
No full textA high prevalence for Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD) among individuals presents the need for suitable and effective treatment. This paper explores TRD and treatments options. Ketamine along with psychotherapy treatment is proposed as a treatment for individuals with TRD. A literature review is conducted to explore different mechanisms of ketamine along with psychotherapy. Findings from the literature review show that ketamine along with psychotherapy is a suitable and effective treatment for individuals with TRD. At the end of the paper, a healing model is proposed for further research, as it could be beneficial for individuals that are experiencing mental and physical illnesses. The healing model is grounded in bidirectional relationship between physical and mental health discussed in this paper. Ketamine along with psychotherapy helps to change the way individuals think and behave (Abrous et al., 2020; Joseph, 1999; Schore, 2005; Siegal, 2006; Yeung et al., 2023). By changing ways of thinking and behaving, psychotherapy along with ketamine ultimately could help individuals treat and manage trauma and life stressors. By treating and managing trauma and life stressors, individuals with TRD could reach remission, as well as remain in remission, avoiding relapse
Etuaptmumk: Healing Indigenous Ancestral Roots Through Group Circle
No full textThis capstone explores the use of group circle for people of mixed Indigenous and European ancestry seeking to reconnect with their culture and heal their ancestral roots through Etuaptmumk (two-eyed seeing). The literature review provides information on how cultural disconnection has occurred over generations including the history and trauma experienced by Indigenous peoples, impacts of colonialism and marginalization, the blood quantum, lateral violence, and factors associated with having intersecting identities. Findings suggest that the impacts of colonialism and marginalization of Indigenous peoples is ongoing, and there continues to be complexities when navigating people with intersecting identities. The literature review also explores the importance of cultural competency in counselling, as well as how Indigenous traditional practices have contributed to healing for Indigenous people. The final chapter then provides a framework on forming a group circle for people of mixed ancestral roots using the lens of Etuaptmumk and integrating Indigenous traditional practices with cultural respect
Integrating Wellness: Alleviating Burnout in Counsellors in Training through the Indivisible Self Wheel of Wellness and Compassion-Focused Therapy
No full textThis capstone explores the rising concern of burnout among counsellors-in-training and the need for a comprehensive approach to address it within graduate programs. Burnout, characterized by exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced self-efficacy, can profoundly affect trainees' well-being and the quality of care they provide to clients. Through a literature review, this paper examines the contributing factors to burnout, including academic pressures, clinical challenges, and personal stressors. Then, it investigates the potential of the Indivisible Self Wheel of Wellness, its second, and third-order domains, and Compassion-Focused Therapy as holistic frameworks to mitigate burnout and promote wellness through identifying self-care strategies and self-compassion. Recommendations for integrating wellness practices into counsellor training programs that discuss ethical standards to maintain well-being and minimize impairment and emphasize the importance of early intervention, structured supervision, and a supportive training environment are discussed
Trans-Inclusive Feminist Praxis: Shifting Religious and Familial Gendered Violence Towards Transgender Acceptance - A USA Case Study
No full textLockhart, E. N. S. (2024). Trans-Inclusive Feminist Praxis: Shifting Religious and Familial Gendered Violence Towards Transgender Acceptance-A USA Case Study. Psychology in Society, 66(2), 90-95. https://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?pid=S1015-60462024000200005&script=sci_arttext&tlng=enBuilding on the analysis of gender-based violence (GBV) within the lives of black trans women in South Africa, as explored by Shabalala, Boonzaier, and Chirape (2023) in Challenging Ciscentric Feminist Margins, this briefing extends the conversation to the themes of ciscentric oppression, structural violence, and intersectionality in the context of a pilot study I conducted (Lockhart, 2024). The work of Shabalala et al. (2023) calls for intersectional frameworks that challenge cisnormativity, patriarchal violence, and gender performativity—central concepts in understanding the marginalization of trans individuals. Their work powerfully illuminates the ways in which cisgendered and patriarchal norms systematically marginalise trans individuals, particularly trans women of color, through both overt and subtle forms of violence. In a similar vein, my case study of a biracial family in Louisiana, USA, and their 17-year-old trans son, explores how ciscentric gender norms, compounded by religious, racial, and socio-cultural factors, shape the family’s experience of gendered violence and hinder the adolescent’s agency and autonomy, complicating his transition to legal adulthood and his pursuit of self-determination
Psychological Impacts and Strategies for Supporting Journalists Facing Moral Injury
Get PDFThis paper examines the growing concern of moral injury among journalists, building on the foundational work of Dr. Anthony Feinstein, who first highlighted the prevalence of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and substance abuse among war correspondents (Feinstein & Nicolson, 2005; Feinstein et al., 2018). While PTSD has been more widely studied, this review extends the discussion to the less-explored phenomenon of moral injury among journalists. Originally conceptualized within military psychology, moral injury refers to the profound psychological distress that arises when individuals are compelled to act in ways that violate their moral beliefs or witness events that conflict with their ethical standards. The paper reviews critical studies, including the development and validation of the Toronto Moral Injury Scale for Journalists (Osmann et al., 2024), which marks a significant advancement in assessing the unique psychological challenges this professional group faces. However, despite these advances, important research gaps remain, particularly regarding the long-term effects of moral injury and its impact on journalists from diverse cultural backgrounds. The paper concludes by proposing directions for future research and the development of therapeutic interventions to support journalists' mental health, emphasizing the need for longitudinal studies and culturally sensitive approaches. It also explores the most effective therapeutic strategies for moral repair
Providing Mental Health Literacy: How High Schools Can Support a Youth’s Mental Health
Get PDFStudents spend a significant amount of time within the school environment. Therefore, it is vital for schools to acknowledge the influence they have around a student’s emotional well-being. High school students across countries have vocalized a need for mental health education. While in British Columbia, there appears to be a gap in what mental health education is supposedly being offered and what is being given. To fill in this gap of desiring in depth mental health education, the capstone demonstrated how high schools can be participate in supporting a youth’s mental health by implementing mental health literacy into the curriculum, potentially saving a life and increasing an adolescent’s well-being. The incorporation of mental health literacy, providing social belonging, using technology, mindfulness, lived experience workers and gratitude are all shown to contribute towards good mental health. This initiative seeks to empower students with the knowledge to nurture and understand their mental well-being, while also equipping teachers with the skills to identify warning behaviours of declining mental health in their students. With the inclusion of these techniques, schools have the opportunity to improve the mental health of students
Becoming Unstuck: The Impact of RBTS on Adult BIPOC Individuals, and the Implications for Adapting Narrative Exposure Therapy to Support Adult BIPOC Individuals
No full textThis capstone explores the impact of racial trauma or race-based traumatic stress (RBTS) on adult Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) and the implications of adapting narrative exposure therapy (NET) to address BIPOC individuals struggling with RBTS. It unveils the adverse impacts that racism and racial discrimination have on the BIPOC population's mental health and emphasizes the significance of mental health practitioners being more aware of the effects of race. This capstone highlights the omnipresence of racism and racial discrimination in the lives of BIPOC individuals and the call for mental health practitioners and the counselling discipline itself to be more aware of the effects of racism. Stressing the importance of understanding how racial trauma or RBTS affects BIPOC individuals and how mental health practitioners can be better prepared to address racial trauma/RBTS in counselling. One way is to adapt NET to work specifically with RBTS and BIPOC individuals. This paper advocates for being racially aware in counselling to support BIPOC individuals better, emphasizing the importance of flexibility in therapeutic approaches. Through a literature review, this study identifies gaps in the research, urges further empirical study, and shows how NET can be adapted to work with RBTS in BIPOC individuals. This capstone research project broadens the scope of interventions accessible to mental health practitioners who may be supporting adult BIPOC clients struggling with RBTS, which opens areas for future research in studying RBTS and addressing it in the therapeutic frame. Thus, the mental health field is calling for a shift for mental health practitioners to be more racially aware by taking more training, education, and supervision
The Impact of Racial and Cultural Discrimination on the Mental Health of Canadians From an Asian Descent After the COVID-19 Pandemic
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the mental health of Asian individuals worldwide, exacerbating pre-existing racial tensions and discrimination. This capstone project examines how the pandemic has intensified xenophobia and racism towards Asians, driven largely by misinformation and fear. Findings indicate that Asians have faced heightened levels of scapegoating, verbal and physical abuse, which have significantly affected their mental health. Increased experiences of racial discrimination have been linked to higher incidences of psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The dual fear of contracting the virus and being targeted due to racial biases has compounded these effects, leading to feelings of alienation, social isolation, and a reluctance to seek help due to stigma. The erosion of trust in societal institutions and increased economic insecurity further aggravate these mental health challenges. This review highlights the urgent need for culturally competent mental health support, educational campaigns to combat stereotypes, and systemic changes to address the root causes of racism. These measures are crucial for improving mental health outcomes and fostering a more inclusive society for Asian communities
The Impact of Individualism and Collectivism on Psychotherapy: Is Therapy in North America Individualistic? Exploring the Infusion of Collectivism Into Therapy Practices
No full textWestern societies, especially in North America, predominantly emphasize individualism, which prioritizes autonomy, independence, and self-reliance. This cultural orientation, embedded within counselling and psychotherapy, may inadvertently exacerbate issues such as social isolation and mental health challenges. In contrast, collectivism—valuing community, interdependence, and group harmony—offers an alternative framework that promotes stronger social connections and potentially more holistic approaches to mental well-being. Through an extensive literature review and critical analysis, this research highlights the limitations of individualism-centric therapy models and advocates for the integration of collectivist principles to create more culturally responsive and inclusive therapeutic practices. The study examines both the positive and negative aspects of individualism and collectivism on mental health outcomes and offers practical recommendations for incorporating collectivist values into therapy. By proposing a culturally informed therapeutic framework, this project aims to foster more balanced and effective mental health interventions, particularly in multicultural contexts where diverse cultural needs must be met. This approach seeks to bridge the gap between individualism and collectivism, ultimately contributing to more holistic and community-oriented mental health care
Cultural Influences on Trauma: Exploring ACEs and Complex PTSD in Chinese-Canadian Clients
No full textThis capstone explores the development of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) among Chinese-Canadian clients, focusing on how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and cultural influences shape trauma responses. Traditional values such as filial piety, emotional suppression, and collectivism could potentially influence trauma expression and access to mental health services, possibly due to stigma surrounding mental health within Chinese communities. Additionally, acculturation stress may exacerbate the effects of ACEs as Chinese-Canadian individuals navigate the cultural duality of Canadian society and traditional Chinese norms. This project reviews existing literature on C-PTSD and ACEs and presents a framework integrating trauma-informed care principles with culturally responsive psychotherapy. The proposed framework aims to inform therapists on providing culturally sensitive support, fostering environments where Chinese-Canadian clients can explore their trauma without fear of judgment or stigma. Recommendations for future research on trauma within immigrant populations are also discussed, emphasizing the need for a nuanced approach to mental health support that considers both cultural heritage and acculturation stress