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Self-Concept of Individuals with Acquired Brain Injury and Its Effective Therapeutic Interventions
Get PDFThis capstone paper examines the complexity and impact of Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) on self-concept, emphasizing both the negative and positive outcomes that individuals experience. ABI, resulting from traumatic or non-traumatic events, leads to various physical, cognitive, and emotional changes that can greatly disrupt one’s sense of self. The literature reveals significant negative changes in self-concept, including diminished self-concept, emotional distress, and a loss of autonomy, as well as demonstrating positive changes, such as resilience and personal growth. The research further highlights the critical role of evidence-based therapeutic interventions in facilitating self-concept reconstruction. These interventions operate on multiple levels, including neurobiological aspects by enhancing emotional regulation; intrapsychically that promote cognitive flexibility; and interpersonally by fostering social connectedness and support. The paper also critiques existing methodologies, highlighting the need for further
research to evaluate the effectiveness of various therapeutic approaches in improving selfconcept among ABI survivors
A Response-based Approach to Supporting Nurses' Experiences of Institutional Betrayal, Oppression, and Resistance During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Get PDFThis capstone project explored the multifaceted challenges faced by nurses, primarily in a female-dominated profession, as they contended with persistent struggles for professional dignity within a historical framework of systemic oppression. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing institutional violence and structural inequities, exposing systemic deficiencies and safety concerns. Nurses entrusted to their employers' protection found themselves exceptionally vulnerable, engendering a profound sense of betrayal. The study employed a social justice-oriented, response-based methodology to explore nurses' experiences of oppression and institutional betrayal during the pandemic. Addressing gaps in the literature, the research shed light on nurses' responses, including acts of resistance and the social responses they received, emphasizing the preservation of their dignity and the pursuit of justice for healing. Furthermore, the capstone explored actionable strategies for employers and counsellors to actively support nurses and advocated for the creation of a restorative care program for nurses, which encompassed enhanced mental health and short-term disability benefits, response-based individual and group therapy, and the creation of workplace solidarity groups
Building Compassionate Classrooms: Designing and Implementing a Professional Development Centered Around Trauma-Informed Care for Elementary Schools
Get PDFChildhood trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) commonly occur in today's global society and result in personal repercussions that impact a child's success within a classroom environment. Trauma-informed care, an approach that seeks to understand and respect the needs of individuals with trauma-based backgrounds, should be utilized within schools to help students achieve their highest potential within an academic setting. Unfortunately, there is a lack of knowledge on trauma, ACEs and trauma-informed care amongst educators leading to ineffective practices resulting in emotional dysregulation, re-traumatization, and academic failure. Additional training opportunities, such as professional developments, should be routinely offered to provide school staff with knowledge and resources related to supporting children who have experienced a traumatic event. This Capstone provides an overview of trauma, ACEs, and trauma-informed care and outlines a proposed professional development for elementary school staff
Attachment and Cannabis Use Prevention in Youth
No full textBritish Columbia laws allow people as young as 19 years old to grow, buy, and use non-medicinal cannabis products, despite researchers warning of the significant risks to health and mental health for youth under 25 years old. The rising prevalence of cannabis use and harmful consequences for youth calls for more effective prevention methods. Some researchers link substance misuse to an unmet need for people to connect and bond. This capstone reviews the research relating substance and cannabis use in youth to attachment theory to inform prevention approaches to substance use for youth. The findings suggest that attachment-based prevention strategies can be effective, but research and interventions remain sparse. Furthermore, there is concern that recommendations such as preventing youth from associating with peers who use drugs could contribute to the stigmatization and discrimination against youth who may already be suffering from disconnection. There is a need for more research on the effectiveness of attachment-based prevention to reduce substance use and stigma and to foster connection. This capstone summarizes attachment-based prevention approaches for counsellors and educators to support youth and caregivers facing risks associated with cannabis use
Couples Therapy: Looking at Infidelity Through a Multi-Therapeutic Lens
No full textRelationships can be difficult. Relationships that have experienced a breach in trust in the form of a sexual betrayal can be emotionally traumatising while also offering the opportunity to be transformative. Moving away from the earlier emotionally focused approaches used in couples' therapy, this Capstone discussion seeks to explore an integrative approach to couples’ therapy. As such, the literature review discussed here explores current research in the area of couple's therapy, and involves discussions that include; an Integrative Model of Brief Couples Counselling (IMBCC), a Three Stage Forgiveness Model (TSFM), cultural contributors, and clinical works occurring in the area of polyamory. Using a postmodern philosophical framework that allows for the primacy of client voice in determining a therapeutic process, this discussion seeks to address a gap in current treatment practices. In doing so, the recommendations discussion supports a flexible, collaborative adaptation of a treatment approach. Suggested is a flexible use of both the IMBCC and TSFM models that are further augmented by the use of a cultural interpretive lens, and by clinical practices currently used with polyamorous clients. The underlying hope furthered by this discussion is to create space for the clients to engage with both themselves, and with each other from a place of authenticity and personal integrity. With this aim in mind, a successful final outcome of couple’s therapy would further an experience of continued personal integrity and ethical practice for the individuals in the relationship rather than a focus on maintaining the relationship at all cost
Somatic Therapies as an Imperative Addition to the Integrative Treatment of Intergenerational Trauma Healing Work
Get PDFThis capstone offers an overview of the nature of intergenerational trauma (IGT) and explores mechanisms for the transmission of IGT in select populations. Though IGT has impacted many populations and communities, the focus of this capstone reflects primarily on the experiences of Residential School and Holocaust survivors and explores ways in which select somatic psychotherapies could lend themselves to the holistic landscape of trauma healing. The objectives of this capstone include exploring the pervasiveness of the hallmarks of trauma across generations from a bio/psycho/social/spiritual perspective, the role of epigenetics in the expression of trauma over time, and the impact this can have on individuals, communities, and institutions/systems. A further purpose is to explore the neuroscience behind experiential approaches that aim to regulate the nervous system through the discharge and integration of internal constriction due to trauma. Additionally, this capstone will incorporate the concept of constructive resilience to create individual and social transformation in a way that is evolutionary, developmental, and integrative
Playful Pathways to Inner Peace: How Can School Counsellors Utilize Play, Somatic Therapies, and Nervous System Psychoeducation to Support School-Aged Children with Anxiety?
No full textAnxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health concerns among Canadian children. Anxiety can adversely affect the well-being, education, and health of elementary school students. This capstone examines the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of pediatric anxiety. The literature review examines research on anxiety, child-centered play therapy, and somatic interventions based on polyvagal theory. Research on children and youth is more limited than in adult populations; however, a new understanding of neuroscience and polyvagal theory shows promise for the reduction of anxiety using both play and somatic techniques. Counsellors who can implement safe and connected groups that target anxiety using child-centered play therapy, nervous system psychoeducation, and somatic techniques can help students reduce and cope with anxiety. As educators, supporting students’ mental health must be a priority. Group therapy is a low-barrier intervention that supports the largest number of students within the school day
Perspectives on Treatment for Distressing Hallucinatory Experiences
No full textThis paper explores distressing hallucinatory experience through the biomedical, psychotherapeutic, and spiritual perspectives offering a holistic approach to treatment. The biomedical view examines the dopamine, glutamate, and glucose metabolism hypotheses. The psychotherapeutic perspective reviews CBT for psychosis (CBTp), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACTp), and the Maastricht approach. The spiritual lens looks at
experiences such as spiritual awakening, sorcery, and possession. By integrating these perspectives, the paper proposes a holistic workshop model to support individuals experiencing psychosis
Use of Psilocybin in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Emergency Services Populations
No full textPosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent health concern for first responders; as many as 33% of the emergency-services population are diagnosed with PTSD (Obuobi-Donkor et al., 2022). Those who live with a PTSD diagnosis must often deal with significant mental health issues (intrusive thoughts, extreme anxiety, flashbacks and nightmares, and uncontrolled anger), as well as physical health issues (chronic pain, persistent fatigue, high blood pressure, obesity, and decreased life expectancy). Emerging research in psychedelics has shown preliminary evidence of the potential healing qualities of psilocybin in the treatment of PTSD. This capstone project involved an investigation of the effectiveness of psilocybin in the treatment of PTSD in the emergency-services population. The findings from the literature review of peer-reviewed studies published between 2019 and 2024 indicate that psilocybin-assisted therapy can improve the overall brain health and connectivity of those who have been diagnosed with PTSD. Through continued education, accredited psychedelic training, and an understanding of the legislation that currently exists regarding psychedelics and treatment, mental health professionals can support their clients by using psychedelic-assisted therapy and achieve positive treatment outcomes for emergency-services personnel who live with PTSD. As research increases in this area, the application of outcome-based research will enable therapists to offer more effective and refined treatment for first responders who have a PTSD diagnosis. The author recommends further research regarding the healing qualities of psilocybin in the treatment of PTSD in the first-responder community
Midlife Women's Health: Elevated Risk of Depression During Perimenopause
No full textMidlife is a time of increased stress for women which subsequently impacts their physical and mental health. Women experience depression at higher rates, suicides peak, and elevated depressive symptoms along with high levels of stress are reported during this time. While each woman’s experience is unique, and further research is needed to disentangle and understand the multiple complexities, the fact remains that midlife is a pivotal and critical time for women and one that has lifelong implications on women’s health. Understanding the multiple co-occurring challenges that women face during this life stage is imperative so that women are supported appropriately while they traverse this phase of life – and ultimately so that we can turn this time of life into a season of opportunity and potential rather than one of suffering. Following a review of the literature on the elevated risk of depression during midlife and perimenopause, the commonly cited challenges women face during midlife, and interventions for protecting and improving mental health during midlife, this capstone will discuss a group therapy template designed to offer education, to normalize the conversation around perimenopause, and to implement interventions aimed at reducing risk of depression