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Begin Again: Mindfulness, Psychotherapy and the Novice Therapist
No full textIn the last few decades, research around mindfulness in psychotherapy has seen exponential growth alongside the integration of mindfulness techniques and principles into numerous therapeutic modalities. With a continually growing body of research supporting their benefits for multiple psychological conditions, mindfulness-based interventions are becoming increasingly standard techniques within the world of psychotherapy (Hofmann & Gómez, 2017; Schumann-Olivier et al., 2020; Zhang et al., 2019). This paper examines the interconnections between mindfulness, psychotherapy and the training of novice therapists. The literature review examines various definitions of mindfulness, provides a brief history of mindfulness in psychotherapy, and offers a limited review of the use of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in current therapeutic modalities. It then explores the role of mindfulness in training the novice therapist along two connected paths: mindfulness as self-care for the therapist and the influence of therapist mindfulness on the therapeutic relationship. Following a literature review, this paper concludes with a proposed outline for an eight-week Mindfulness as Self-Care for Novice Therapists group. This group attempts to integrate skills training in mindfulness techniques alongside improved therapist self-care. Gaps in current research will be explored, as well as future research opportunities
Understanding Misogynoir and its Impact on the Mental Health of Black and Mixed Race Black Cis, Trans, Queer and Lesbian Identifying Women. A Counsellor's Guide to Exploring Misogynoir
No full textThe unique mental health concerns of Black women in Canada are understudied in the field of psychotherapy. Misogynoir is a term coined by Dr. Moya Bailey to highlight the gendered anti-black racism and discrimination that exist at the intersection of being black and female-identifying. Given that more Black women are accessing counselling services, this paper explores the concept of misogynoir, its history, and its enduring and profound impact on the mental health of Black women. Through an exploration of existing literature and qualitative research, this paper delves into the various manifestations of misogynoir, including an in-depth look at the popular controlling stereotypes, microaggressions and systemic discrimination. Moreover, this paper highlights unique ways that misogynoir as a form of anti-blackness impacts Black women’s stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. The research shines a light on the importance of addressing and acknowledging misogynoir in the counselling room. By understanding the nuanced experience of Black women and centring their voices in the discussion surrounding mental health, this paper advocates for a more inclusive and culturally competent approach to supporting the well-being of Black women that is rooted in an understanding of intersectional, critical race and Black feminist theory
Attachment: The Impact Attachment Style has on Experiencing Safety, Connection, and Active Participation in Intimate and Sexual Relationships
No full textOnes attachment style and early life experience play an integral role in the development of safe, secure, meaningful, and satisfying intimate and sexual relationship later in life. The review of research in this capstone explores the impact of insecure attachment styles on individuals' ability to participate actively and experience safety in intimate and sexual relationships. Drawing from attachment theory and trauma-informed perspectives, such as Polyvagal Theory (Porges, 1995) the study examines how early childhood experiences and relational traumas, including emotional neglect and childhood sexual abuse, shape attachment styles and affect adult relationships. Discussions in Chapter Two through the interpretation of Polyvagal Theory highlights the significant role of the autonomic nervous system has on regulating emotional responses and safety perceptions in relationships, emphasizing the importance of creating emotional safety for individuals with insecure attachments in their relationships with an emphasis on intimate and sexual relationships. Chapter Two of this capstone also considers the social and systemic barriers to developing safe, healthy, and mutually satisfying relationships and provides practical recommendations for clinicians and individuals to foster secure attachments and emotional safety through attachment-based interventions. This capstone aims to enhance understanding and raise awareness of the impacts that insecure
attachment styles and trauma have on an individual's experience of safety, active participation, and satisfaction in intimate and sexual relationships. Finally, offering readers and clinicians hope for healing, growth, and the rewiring of autonomic responses through the application of attachment-based and trauma-informed interventions
Honour-Based Abuse in Canada, and the Role of Counsellors
No full textThrough this paper I wish to enhance the readers' understanding regarding the lived experiences of those individuals who are/ have been impacted by Honour-Based Abuse (HBA), and how as a future practitioner I can use this knowledge to identify underlying factors contributing to Honour-Based Violence (HBV) in Canada. This paper brings in the perspectives of adolescent males and females from immigrant backgrounds who come to recognize their rights and liberties in Canada, leading them to reject their parents' traditional customs and expectations. As these young individuals start to challenge the rigid traditional roles imposed on them by elder family members, they aspire to emulate and adopt the lifestyles of their Canadian counterparts, altering their attire, dating practices, curfew, and sometimes engaging in risky behaviors, which can spark conflicts within the family dynamic (Blum et al., 2016) which then can lead to HBA. Additionally, this paper will help me, and other counsellors become aware of the strengths and shortcomings of current social services and the obstacles survivors face in accessing these services. The paper will conclude with suggestions for counsellors to recognize such abuse and offer necessary interventions to prevent it from occurring and/ or to support clients in these circumstance
Interracial Couples and the Barriers that Affect the Relationship: Implications for Couples Counselling
No full textThis capstone explores the existing literature on interracial relationships in order to provide recommendations for culturally competent couples counselling while working with interracial couples. Findings from the literature review show that racial identities and cultural stressors can impact the relationship both positively and negatively. Therapeutic methods recommended include recognizing protective factors and strengths, focusing on resiliency and promoting multiculturism between partners. Therapeutic interventions discussed that may be effective include narrative couple therapy, emotionally focused couple therapy, and integrative behavioural couple therapy; however, a narrative approach to interracial couples counselling is proposed
Thriving After Infidelity: A Self-guided Program to Attend to the Symptoms Following the Discovery of Betrayal and Restore a Loving Relationship with Self and Others
No full textInfidelity can have a significant impact on individuals (physiologically, psychologically, emotionally) and their intra– and interpersonal relationships. This capstone project seeks to create a self-guided program to attend to the symptoms following the discovery of betrayal and restore a loving relationship with self and others. The literature review examines the consequences of infidelity on the betrayed, suggests therapeutic approaches to attend to the impacts, and explores the efficacy and limitations of self-guided programs. The curriculum of the self-guided program is constructed in three phases: attending to post-infidelity symptoms, strengthening a loving relationship with self, and restoring connection with others. Although this self-guided program is not a form of psychotherapy nor a tool for crisis management, it aims to provide individuals with support, guidance, and resources. This paper includes the program structure, content, intentions, and practices
Mobile Motherhood: Assessing the Implications of Social Media Use and Intensive Mothering from a Response-Based Approach
No full textThe capstone explores the oppressive confines of intensive mothering in the age of social media. The literature review examines three themes: the social construction of motherhood, mental health in matrescence; and motherhood and social media. The project explored these themes through a response-based contextual analysis, noting the importance of understanding mothers' context, social settings, responses/acts of resistance to oppression, social responses of networks and mothers' responses to social responses. The capstone ends with recommendations for applied practice in the counselling field and suggestions for further researc
Barriers in Accessibility to Psychotherapy for South Asian People Residing in Canada
No full textCanada is a diverse country that has welcomed immigrants for centuries. As society changes, members of society should question whether our structures need to change as well. South Asian people are one of the major immigrant groups in Canada. Research has shown that this group has different mental health problems than those of mainstream society. The goal of this study is to find out what mental health problems impact the South Asian community in Canada the most. Another goal is to is to find the culturally specific reasons why certain mental health problems plague this community more intensely. The last major goal of this study is to find the barriers that prevent these South Asian people in Canada from receiving mental health care. Finally, in searching for these answers, this paper will also recognize the factors that make receiving mental health care more accessible for this community
Factors Influencing Serial and Mass Murder
No full textThis paper aims to describe and discuss key psychological, sociocultural, and developmental precursors to violence in serial and mass murderers. Having done a literature review, the research analyses and identifies the characteristics of the offenders to understand their psychological state and the reason why they go on the rampage, which focuses and gives an in-depth analysis of adolescence as a period that is vulnerable to environmental pressures that might lead to violent behaviour. Specific areas of concern involve the role of trauma and Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA) as socio environmental factors in aggression, focusing on how these aspects come into play with regard to backing up or nullifying individual violent tendencies. Furthermore, the validity of sex differences is examined to determine the differences in motivations and modus operandi between male and female criminals. In response to this, this research also examines media violence, the relevance of cultural factors, and early intervention in counselling psychology to violence. Incorporating ideas from various Socio-Technical Environments (STEs) , the paper advances knowledge of the causes of violence and stresses the need for culturally appropriate, empirically grounded approaches in research and practice. The outcomes stress methodological approaches to combating violence and supporting common causes among psychological, police, and community prevention activities for creating safer environments
Using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) to Support Persons Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence
No full textA high prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) amongst individuals in Canada and a variety of mental health consequences and lower quality of life requires a need for effective treatments. This capstone research project aims to explore how eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and compassion-focused therapy (CFT) together can support and treat individuals who have experienced IPV. A literature review is conducted to examine current and past literature examining the effectiveness of EMDR and CFT for individuals who have experienced IPV. Findings from the literature review show that EMDR is helpful in treating PTSD symptoms and that CFT is helpful in treating components of PTSD and shame in those who have suffered from IPV. At the end of the capstone research project, a framework is proposed that integrates both compassion-focused and EMDR principles into a single model aimed at treating IPV by targeting PTSD symptoms through EMDR and utilizing a compassion-focused lens and techniques to target shame and guilt. By targeting these two areas, EMDR along with CFT could help in reducing mental health issues after IPV and may increase quality of life