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Chronic Health in Youth: Deconstructing Shame and Dismantling Isolation
Get PDFChronic health conditions in adolescents have significant impacts on personal, social and academic functioning. The review of literature demonstrates youth diagnosed with chronic conditions exhibit higher levels of anxiety, depression and psychosomatic conditions inhibiting their ability to engage with schooling, peers, and the development of self. Often these medical and social complications result in low self-esteem, feelings of shame, stigma, victimization, and isolation. Additional factors examined in the review of literature that contribute to negative health, social and personal outcomes include social determinants of health. These social determinants of health are viewed through the theoretical lens of Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological systems theory and Fish et al. (2022) Indigenists ecological systems theory. Selected social determinants of health include socioeconomic status, race, gender, and trauma backgrounds. The purpose of the review of literature in this capstone is to highlight the complexity surrounding chronic health diagnoses and how medical and social factors contribute to the experience of not only health but also shame and isolation. Finally, possible therapeutic interventions and resources for educational staff, parents/guardians and youth are discussed. Therapeutic interventions include compassion focused therapy and cognitive behaviour therapy. Resources examined cover bullying programs for educators, parent/guardian groups, integrated youth services, and finally, provincial and national organization that address psychoeducational needs along with a government housing organization to support disadvantaged families
Bilingualism in Psychotherapy: Understanding the Interplay of Language, Cultural Identity, and Multicultural Competence
No full textAs Canada's population becomes increasingly diverse, understanding the interplay between language, cultural identity, and multicultural competence is crucial for mental health professionals. This capstone explores the critical role of bilingualism in psychotherapy, emphasizing how language shapes the therapeutic experience for multilingual clients. Through a comprehensive review of multicultural theory and social justice approach, this study highlights how recognizing the significance of language to bilingual clients can help address the unique linguistic and cultural barriers they face. These theoretical perspectives align with this capstone’s contribution to the evolving field of psychology, advocating for more inclusive and equitable therapeutic practices. Key areas explored include the role of language in therapeutic relationship and tasks, particularly in the emotional and cognitive processing of bilingual clients. The capstone also examines strategies for therapists to better support clients with diverse linguistic backgrounds, addressing the current challenges and benefits of utilizing interpreters and code-switching in therapy. Additionally, the study identifies the gaps in current research regarding the significance of language in therapy for culturally sensitive practice, highlighting the need for improved education and training for the therapists
Unveiling Factors Influencing Variations in Capability, Mobility, Independence, and Overall Quality of Life Amongst Older Adults
No full textBy empowering the older individuals in our lives to pursue goals, we help them to live fulfilling and rich lives. My aim with this paper is to offer an extensive review of current research that highlights which factors greatly impact the overall life satisfaction of older adults. By unveiling a variety of different factors that improve independence, mobility, capability, and overall quality of life amongst older adults, I hope to bring some clarity to older populations in addition to their loved ones. There are plenty of evidence-based practices surrounding nutrition, exercise, social engagement, and cognitive stimulation that are known to promote healthy aging and improve longevity in older individuals. Additionally, I will be offering insight to therapeutic clinicians on how to best support clients who are caregivers for older adults, or clients who are witnessing the decline of their loved one
Therapy in Solidarity: The Ethical Imperative of Social Justice in Counselling Through Decolonizing and Queering your Practice
No full textThe integration of social justice principles into counselling practice is essential for promoting inclusivity, advocating for systemic change, and dismantling oppressive structures; however, there remains some contention around what implementing social justice in counselling practice means. This capstone project investigates the important relationship between social justice and counselling and aims to investigate how social justice manifests itself in counselling practice. While advocating for a deep integration of social justice principles into counselling practices, emphasizing the ethical obligation of counsellors to address systemic inequalities and advocate for their clients, this capstone explores the multifaceted ways in which social justice are shown through counselling practice. Through a lens of decolonization and queering, the project explores ways in which counsellors can move beyond conventional practices to actively engage in social justice efforts. By examining the manifestations of social justice in counselling and emphasizing the importance of being accomplices or co-conspirators in advocacy, this project aims to inspire counsellors to question the status quo and shed light on the transformative potential of incorporating social justice into therapeutic processes. By exploring the historical, theoretical,
and academic foundations of social justice in counselling, this project seeks to inspire counsellors to become agents of change in dismantling oppressive systems, advancing social equity, and understand the ethical imperative of implementing social justice principles into practice
Characteristics of Effective School Leaders: Critical Traits to Enhance School Culture & Engagement Among Staff & Students
No full textThis capstone study examines existing literature on the characteristics of effective school leaders. Scholarly sources indicate that humility, a growth mindset, strong self-care practices, and relational skills such as empathy, vulnerability, and humor enable school leaders to increase the efficacy and engagement of school teams. The research indicates that school teams demonstrating higher levels of efficacy and engagement have positive impacts on students, including increased achievement, intrinsic motivation, connectedness, and psychological safety. This capstone study concludes by discussing implications for all relevant stakeholders and providing recommendations for school leaders looking to enhance their practice
Adolescent Sexting
Get PDFIncludedAdolescent sexting is a contemporary issue at the intersection of adolescent development, mental health, and digital behaviour, presenting unique challenges for parents, educators, and therapists. This capstone paper reviews existing literature to provide a comprehensive overview of adolescent sexting, with a focus on prevalence, demographic influences, and its implications on mental health. By examining factors such as gender dynamics, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, this review highlights the critical need for inclusive, tailored interventions that address the unique experiences of adolescents. This paper also explores the legal implications of adolescent sexting, noting that it is illegal for minors under 18 to share sexual content in Canada, even if consensual. As a result, parents face the dual challenge of addressing legal concerns while offering emotional support and guidance to their adolescents. Through a critical synthesis of research, this capstone identifies gaps in the literature and presents practical solutions for therapists and educators. Specifically, narrative therapy and psychoeducation are suggested as effective tools for helping adolescents process their experiences with sexting. Moreover, educators are encouraged to adopt comprehensive sex education programs that integrate discussions on consent, healthy relationships, and digital citizenship. The findings of this literature review are critical for designing a workshop for parents aimed at supporting adolescents in the digital age. By promoting open communication and understanding the complex dynamics at play, this paper provides actionable strategies for parents, educators, and therapists in navigating the challenges posed by adolescent sexting. Included in this capstone is a three-hour interactive training intended for parents that provides opportunities for self-reflection, psychoeducation, and tools and resources around sexting. An outline of the presentation is provided below, and the slides can be found in their entirety in Appendix A
Group Counselling: Building into Wholeness and Interdependence
No full textAs there is a high prevalence of disability in Canada, anyone might experience disability at some point in their lives. This is relevant because individuals with disabilities are more prone to experience barriers such as systemic discrimination, violence, prejudice, and stereotypes that affect their mental health and life experiences. Those counsellors who are unconsciously ableist could also be discriminating against people with disabilities as a result of the lack of understanding of the disability experience. The aim of this capstone is to examine the accessibility and inclusivity of group counselling practices for people with physical disabilities and create awareness of its importance in the counselling psychology field. The disability justice framework combined with a feminist theory lens will guide this research and its applicability. I will propose a protocol for group counselling that includes space considerations that offer equal accessibility, anti-ableism, and an anti-racism focus for individuals with physical disabilities
Making Sense of Treatment for Needle Phobia: From Exposure and Control, to Acceptance and Letting Go
No full textWhen children and youth with needle fears require urgent medical care, their parents face a dilemma: abstain from medical care or physically restrain their child to obtain it. This restraint can cause medical trauma and further exacerbate medical avoidance. This capstone aims to develop a trauma-informed psychological care framework to deliver specialized urgent care to this population. Symptom reduction is not an adequate goal of this treatment. If a client needs a needle procedure, they must tolerate their fear to avoid restraint. Using logic, or trying to change the way patients think about needles, fails to address the fight or flight reaction that is so pivotal to the phobic response. Chapter one explores the etiology and prevalence of needle phobia. Chapter two reviews the evolution of treatments for needle phobia and the factors that are present in the pediatric population, specifically analyzing the role of control versus acceptance in promoting treatment efficacy. Habituation to anxiety was once thought necessary for successful exposure therapy but has since been found not to reflect treatment success. Rather, expectancy violation and thought acceptance have been linked to better treatment outcomes. However, since 76% of needle phobia is the result of medical trauma, attention must focus on helping the patient feel safe before they can proceed with cognitive work. Chapter three guides counsellors to address needle fears with a treatment plan focused on trauma-informed, somatic-based exposure therapy. Included in the appendix is a resource that parents can bring with their children to their medical appointments to help support their child's ability to cope with needle fears while undergoing urgent medical treatments
The Stress Response Toolkit for Teachers: An Exploration of How Professional Boundaries and Social-Emotional Skills Alleviate Occupational Stress
No full textThe teaching force is a dynamic, yet complex environment that requires an adept navigation through many sub-systems including legal and professional teacher standards, employer-employee contracts, union membership, and relationship maintenance between colleagues, administration, parents, and students. If left unmanaged, stress can manifest and exacerbate medical conditions, affect decision making and the development of maladaptive behaviors, affect secure relationship attachments and the academic achievement of students, and potentially lead to burn out (Carrington, 2023; Markin, 2023; McCarthy, 2019; Skaalvik & Skaalvik, 2015). The goal of this capstone is to achieve an understanding of the stress response and the ability to cope, followed by an exploration of the importance of social-emotional skills and professional boundaries for teachers and concludes with recommendations for building strategies in key areas such as realm of control, social connections, understanding the rights and responsibilities as a public-school educator, ethical decision making, and goal planning to enhance social-emotional regulation and self-awareness to better appraise available resources to manage the stress response. For this capstone, exploring strategies within social-emotional learning and professional boundaries will be approached with an attachment theory lens. Secure attachments with others help individuals to learn and develop integral skills of communicating, listening, decision-making, and emotional regulating (Siegel & Bryson, 2011). These same principles of connection, attachment, safety, and belonging can be applied to what a teacher needs in their working environment to regulate as well as what their students need in the teacher-student relationship to learn