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Blurring the Boundaries of Racial Privilege and Oppression: Exploring the Narrative and Lived Experience of Mixed-Race Individuals
No full textAlthough there has been considerable movement towards racial oppression advocacy and social justice activism of late, much of this movement's attention is focused on the marginalization and discrimination faced by monoracial visible minority groups. Mixed-race individuals —despite experiencing distinct challenges different from those of monoracial groups— are often overlooked as a unique demographic, with varied encounters of both oppression and privilege. They are frequently denied the opportunity to share their personal experiences and as a result their specific struggles remain unacknowledged. The primary objective of this capstone project is to scrutinize the underappreciated narratives of multiracial individuals. It begins by presenting the multiracial experience through a historical analysis of mixed-race identity and interracial relationships. Subsequent to this initial examination, the paper proceeds to investigate contemporary perspectives on mixed-race identity and lived experiences. Furthermore, this capstone explores the ramifications of monoracial privilege, elucidating how such advantages impact the perceived self-concept and mental well-being of multiracial individuals. Finally, the paper culminates with the development of a comprehensive user guide resource tailored for counselling professionals. This resource is designed to augment their cultural proficiency, specifically in the realm of supporting clients with mixed-race backgrounds
Being with and for the Other: Cultivating Presence and Repairing Ruptures in Therapeutic Alliance
No full textThe purpose of this capstone is to explore literature and research surrounding therapeutic alliance and presence. By looking at therapeutic work through the lens of the polyvagal theory, this paper explores essential elements of therapeutic encounters and provides novice therapists with practices and skills they can utilize to cultivate an optimal environment for effective and beneficial work with their clients. Additionally, this paper looks at two most common barriers to presence that interfere with clinical work and offers some practices on working with them. Lastly, this research paper includes a discussion on instances of ruptures and offers some research-informed practices for their repair. This paper concludes with practices that novice counsellors can use to cultivate presence in their personal lives and in their clinical practice, along with strategies for repairing ruptures in therapeutic alliance
Boomers - Babies No More: Impact of Social Factors on Retirement
No full textBaby Boomers are retiring in a world vastly different from previous generations, having faced numerous challenges throughout their lives. Their adaptability to societal and technological changes is notable, yet intersecting demographics create barriers in navigating retirement. This paper aims to understand the unique challenges Boomers face, explore social factors impacting their retirement, and gain insight into their resilience. This paper includes discussion of how therapists can apply this information to better serve this generational cohort
The Role of Self-Compassion in Trauma Recovery for Children and Youth who have Experienced Adversity
No full textThere is a global recognition about the urgent need for effective, evidence-based programs to prevent and address childhood adversity. Self-compassion has been regarded as a critical protective factor and promoter of well-being for children and youth grappling with trauma. It stands as a powerful mechanism, shown to reduce anxiety, depression, self-injurious behaviours, suicide attempts, shame, self-criticism, while also fostering resilience, emotional regulation, and well-being in children and youth with a history of trauma. Despite the recognized benefits of cultivating self-compassion early in life, there is a notable lack of research and dedicated programs tailored for children and youth. This capstone project aims to address this gap by deepening the understanding of self-compassion as a pivotal tool for supporting young individuals navigating adversity and trauma. It emphasizes the crucial role of self-compassion as a potent healing medium for trauma survivors and underscores the nuanced approach required for its effective application. Ultimately, this capstone seeks to equip mental health professionals with a deeper understanding of self-compassion as an evidence-based, trauma-informed, and anti-oppressive strategy. It aims to help professionals support children and youth in navigating their experiences with trauma and promote their overall well-being
How Can Yoga Enhance EMDR in the Treatment of PTSD in South Asians?
No full textSouth Asians experience posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to various sociocultural factors that are unique to their worldview. Both yoga and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy are evidence-based interventions that are used for the treatment of traumatic stress symptoms. With both interventions holding their unique style of modality, a culturally-sensitive approach can provide a wider understanding of the effective usability of both interventions by combining these two interventions. Culturally-sensitive therapeutic interventions may impact the utilization of mental health services among South Asians living in Canada. Limited research has examined the use of specific PTSD interventions among South Asians that combine the Western therapeutic approach of EMDR with yoga intervention. The capstone project addresses the following research question: How can yoga enhance EMDR in the treatment of PTSD in South Asians? The aim of the capstone project is to critically analyze the literature within the following sections: literature review, implications to counselling, ethical considerations, fundamental next steps for research, recommendations to practicing counselling, and conclusion. The author’s personal relationship to the capstone research and learning development is also reflected
Practices that Facilitate the Experience of Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) for Therapists working with Clients who Have Complex Trauma
No full textThis literature review introduces the emerging concept of post-traumatic growth (PTG) in contrast to the extensively studied post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While PTSD has been the focal point in trauma research, PTG is gaining recognition for its potential to transform negative experiences into positive growth. This review explores PTG through the theoretical lens of Polyvagal Theory, with additional insights from resilience portfolios, poly-strengths, and ecological systems theory. The review examines the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and complex trauma on long-term health and psychological well-being, highlighting the gaps in research related to PTG. By synthesizing existing studies and identifying limitations in the current literature, I aim to provide mental health practitioners with strategies through my interpretation of facilitating PTG among individuals who have experienced complex trauma. Ultimately, the paper seeks to enhance therapeutic practices and contribute to the broader field of counseling psychology by offering a new perspective on fostering resilience and growth in the face of adversity
Don't Fear the "S-Word": Suicide Intervention in Therapy
No full textSuicide intervention is an essential part of suicide prevention in the therapy context. This capstone explores the theoretical underpinnings of suicidality and identifies the most commonly recommended suicide interventions in therapy based upon empirical research. This project explores how the theories of suicide can inform suicide intervention. The main conclusion drawn from the literature review is that many interventions can be useful for suicidality, but the clinician must be able to use appropriate discretion in choosing intervention. To do this, clinicians should ideally understand suicidality and suicide as a concept. There is a gap between theoretical models of suicide and intervention. This capstone provides recommendations and tools to appropriately support clinicians in understanding suicide and choosing appropriate tools for suicide intervention based on client needs
Behind the Behaviour: Supporting Trauma-Impacted Students Through Fostering Safety, Connection and Belonging
No full textThis capstone explores the critical intersection between early childhood trauma and student behaviour in educational settings with an emphasis on the need for trauma-informed approaches in learning environments. Drawing on attachment theory, this paper investigates how early adversity can cause structural changes in the brain, specifically the amygdala and hippocampus, and how these neurological changes impact student behaviour in the classroom settings – focusing on emotional regulation, school engagement and performance, and behaviour. This paper critiques traditional exclusionary discipline practices by demonstrating their ineffective strategies on students exposed to trauma and highlights the harmful consequences of punitive measures, often worsening trauma symptoms and disproportionately impacting marginalized youth. Through a comprehensive analysis of the literature, I examine how trauma-informed pedagogy can support youth in school settings through fostering connection, safety and belonging. Recommendations for trauma-informed implementation include evaluating school readiness, mandatory professional development opportunities and integrating trauma training into preservice programs and positioning school counsellors in roles to enact restorative change
Postpartum Depression: A Solution-Focused Alternative
No full textMaternal postpartum depression (PPD) can result in significant mental health challenges and there are limitations to the current methods of psychotherapy to treat this disorder. This capstone seeks to identify whether solution-focused therapy (SFT) could be a viable alternative to treating PPD, primarily through a literature review conducted via Google Scholar and the City University of Seattle in Canada and Athabasca University research databases. This capstone presents an overview of PPD and the associated risk factors. It evaluates primary modalities for PPD treatment in terms of effectiveness, explores prevailing barriers, and examines research on SFT for depressive disorders and PPD. This capstone fills a gap in the limited research about SFT for PPD to demonstrate how SFT can be applied to treat PPD in the postnatal period. It recommends further research to confirm the efficacy of SFT for PPD and provides clinical recommendations for research-informed practice
Kinky Is the New Gay: Counselling The "Sexually Deviant"
Get PDFThis Capstone explores the historical and modern treatment of sexually atypical individuals in mental health counselling spaces and explores possible improvements that can be made. Through a literature review it examines the historical attitudes, diagnoses, and treatment for homosexuality before moving to modern day ideas surrounding kinky sexual inclinations. Reported obstacles to care include counsellor bias, a lack of inclusive education, and societal misconceptions about kink. It then moves on to utilizing existing practices and guidelines, and the improvements in treatment of homosexuality, to create an action plan to fill gaps in the counselling treatment of kinky individuals. By proposing specific actions on a systemic and individual basis it hopes to aid counsellors in servicing sexually atypical individuals in a way that is both ethical and beneficial to the clients