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Exploring the Effectiveness of Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples who Experience Infidelity
Get PDFInfidelity, defined as a relationship with a third party that violates the trust within the partnership which in turn breaks the exclusivity agreement made within the partnership, is an issue within relationships that many counsellors can struggle to work with. This capstone explores how emotion focused therapy (EFT) can help couples working through infidelity. EFT combines the principles of attachment theory by creating emotional awareness and breaking maladaptive emotional schemas. This capstone’s literature review provides a deeper understanding of EFT, attachment theory, and interventions used in counselling. As well, this capstone provides ethical considerations of the principles and codes that counsellors adhere to when working with couples or individuals. This capstone highlights the implications for the counselling field, including the need for training, cultural competence, and best practices when working with couples
Religious Trauma: Making Sense of, and Seeking Healing for Spiritual Wounds
No full textReligious trauma is an understudied phenomenon that can lead to numerous mental health maladies for those subjected to it. In this literature review, white North American Evangelicalism is studied as its various theologies, practices and cultural norms are hypothesized to contribute to environments that allow for adverse religious experiences occurring and religious trauma to be more likely to occur. Therapeutic modalities such as embodiment, accelerated experiential-dynamic psychotherapy (AEDP) and narrative therapy are suggested in addition to general considerations being provided for therapists. Further, recommendations for church members and leaders regarding fostering trauma-informed and safe faith communities are offered. The intention behind researching this topic is to illuminate possibilities for healing from religious trauma and to communicate a personal vision of what nurturing faith communities can look like
Optimizing Masculine-Tailored Psychotherapy: Enhancing Therapeutic Engagement and Outcomes for Masculine-Identifying Individuals
No full textMasculine-tailored psychotherapy is a way in which therapy can be customized to support the needs and realities of men and masculine-identifying individuals (Prochaska & Norcross, 2018; Wade & Good, 2010). Despite its importance, scholarly evidence indicates that masculine-tailored therapy remains an underdeveloped therapeutic competency within clinical practice. This has important implications for both individuals and society. This literature review study explores the central question: How should masculine-tailored therapy be practiced to best support therapeutic engagement and outcome with masculine-identifying individuals? In answering this, the study synthesizes relevant research and forwards recommendations for the future use and refinement of this therapeutic approach. The role of masculinity in both the maintenance and alleviation of adverse mental health is also examined. To accomplish these tasks, relevant sources were gathered from various databases, including Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, PsycINFO, PsycArticles, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Thematic analysis of the literature was conducted to generate significant themes, and the literature was evaluated through methodological and ethical critiques. The most notable finding from this study is that masculine-tailored therapy/competency warrants further practice, attention, and refinement, as it is likely to support beneficial outcomes for men, masculine- identifying individuals, and society as a whole. It is recommended that mental health clinicians, educational and training programs, and researchers engage in initiatives to improve masculine- tailored therapy/competency and its translation into clinical practice
Resilience Through Trusted Adult Relationships in Foster Youth Aging Out of Care
No full textThis capstone paper explores how professionals in the mental health field can support foster youth as they age out of foster care and enter independence as a young adult. This stage of their lives can be lonely, stressful, uncertain, and intimidating as foster youth navigate a big life transition into adulthood. The research question examined was: how trusted adult relationships can help build resilience in foster youth as the age out of foster care? While the secondary research question asked: how does early childhood trauma impact the trusted adult relationship that is being built? The paper is encompassed through a trauma-informed lens that guides the literature review. The findings from this research show that Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (TF-CBT) is an effective tool to reconstruct an alternative narrative and relieve trauma distress. The recommendations remind practitioners of the trauma responses and how important it is to understand these responses when working with this vulnerable population. This research highlights that trusted adults play a crucial role in building the resilience of a foster youth through empowerment and providing hope
A Proposed Model for Islamically Integrated Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to Alleviate Depression
No full textThe main purpose of this study is to discern whether Islamically Integrated Cognitive Behavior Therapy (ICBT) is more effective for Muslim clients than traditional Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). Traditional CBT may be described as very individualistic, and this does not coincide with the collectivist nature of Islam, thus tailoring it to be more consistent with the beliefs of Islam, will be more effective for these clients. The findings of this thematic literature review analysis show that the use of Islamically Integrated Cognitive Behavior Therapy (ICBT) is more productive when helping Muslim clients dealing with depression. The findings from the studies analysed suggest that Muslim clients found that when their religion and spirituality were included in the therapy process, they were more likely to stay in therapy and benefit from the tools and strategies used. This critical review involved a methodological analysis of ten key studies. An examination of many additional studies revealed the efficacy of Islamically Integrated therapy in
clients healing from depression. Therapists have contested the practicability of using CBT among the Muslim community. Debates have fixated on CBT’s individualistic mindset and its compatibility with clients where Islam infuses most aspects of their lives. When used with Muslim clients, however, results may be improved by adapting traditional CBT. By culturally adapting traditional CBT treatment, a therapist may be better able to focus on different symptoms and diagnoses in their Muslim clients. The findings indicate that given the auspicious outcomes of ICBT, it can improve Muslim
clients' abilities to cope actively with disorders that affect their mental well-being
Exploring the Potential of Nature-Based Therapy as a Treatment Option for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
No full textPosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has a profound impact on individuals, their loved ones, and their communities. As PTSD is complex to treat and conventional treatments do not consistently resolve symptoms, novel treatment approaches are required. Nature-based therapy (NBT) is a promising modality that could fill this need. However, empirical studies examining this association are lacking. To begin to address this gap, this study explored the primary research question: What are the elements of NBT that could bring about therapeutic change in the treatment of PTSD? In addition, by examining the experiences of both therapists and clients who engage in this modality, the review considered the following sub-questions: 1) What impact does NBT have on clients and therapists? And 2) What role do nature and the therapist each play in the therapeutic process of NBT? Findings from 13 qualitative articles published between 2017 and 2024 were analyzed to identify the elements of NBT that could lead to therapeutic change in the treatment of PTSD and trauma. In this analysis, three key themes were identified: 1) Presence and regulation through the senses; 2) Connection and safety in the triadic therapeutic relationship; and 3) Growing new branches. The evidence indicates that NBT improves symptomology and leads to posttraumatic growth and improvements in well-being. Nature and the therapist each play important roles in this process, and nature-based therapists receive unique benefits from engaging in this work. This study concludes that NBT could be a powerful addition to PTSD treatment. Further research is necessary to investigate these benefits, add more empirical support to this field, and strengthen our understanding of NBT as a treatment for PTSD
An Integrative Approach to Support Afro-Indigenous Women Towards Healing and Reclaiming Themselves and Their Cultural Identities
No full textAfro-Indigenous women inhabit unique intersections of race, culture, and identity that require specialized and sensitive therapeutic approaches for effective healing. Standard Western therapeutic modalities often fail to meet the specific needs of these biracial women, resulting in inadequate support in therapeutic relationships. This capstone investigates an integrative treatment model that merges Indigenous focusing-oriented therapy with yoga therapy, both of which are more attuned to the cultural and individual needs of Afro-Indigenous women through a transnational feminist lens. This approach emphasizes holistic healing by recognizing the importance of cultural heritage, community, spirituality, and the mind-body connection. Indigenous-focused therapy offers a framework that respects and incorporates traditional healing practices, storytelling, community involvement, and a deep connection to the land and ancestors. Yoga therapy enhances this framework by providing physical and mental practices that promote balance, mindfulness, and self-awareness, crucial for trauma recovery and overall well-being. Implications and learnings for counsellors, facilitators, or leaders may be integrated when encountering Afro-Indigenous women
Impact of Childhood Trauma on Romantic Relationships
No full textThis capstone project explores the impact of childhood trauma on adult romantic relationship dynamics through the lens of attachment theory. By examining how early relational experiences shape emotional and psychological development, the study underscores the profound influence of childhood trauma on neurobiology, altering brain structures and functions related to stress and emotional regulation. These neurobiological changes can impair cognitive processes such as memory, attention, and executive function, while emotionally and psychologically, trauma can lead to depression, PTSD, substance-use disorders, and borderline personality disorder. This research highlights the significant challenges that childhood trauma poses to adult relationships, particularly in areas of emotional dysregulation and social cognition, which complicate conflict management. Additionally, individual attachment patterns contribute to complexities in trust, communication, and intimacy within couples. To address these issues, a workshop for couples is proposed, focusing on understanding the impact of childhood trauma, enhancing awareness and empathy, developing healthy coping strategies, and strengthening relationship bonds through the application of polyvagal theory. This capstone provides valuable insights and practical tools for counsellors, mental health professionals, and couples where one or both partners have experienced childhood trauma, aiming to foster healthier and more resilient romantic relationships
A Study of Consensual Nonmonogamy Stigma in Healthcare
No full textConsensual nonmonogamy (CNM) is a relationship type that involves multiple partners, be they sexual, romantic, or intimate, where all those involved are aware of, consent to, and have access to multiple partnerships. Consensual nonmonogamists, those who practice CNM, experience stigma on personal, relational and institutional levels, including in counselling. This review addresses CNM stigma in counselling by exploring how the literature on CNM stigma can inform counsellors' professional practice with consensual nonmonogamist clients. A narrative literature review of 11 qualitative and mixed methods studies was performed, including a methodological critique. Four main themes emerged: stigma: living in a mononormative world, responses from healthcare providers, client strategies to navigate stigma, and suggestions for clinicians. The results of this review indicate that counsellors and therapists perpetuate mononormativity through stigmatizing practices, such as pathologizing CNM. Based on these results, including suggestions from research participants, a framework for counselling CNM clients is presented, entitled CNM-Affirming Clinician Practices
Barriers to Accessing Mental Health Services For East Asian Populations
No full textThis capstone paper is an analytic literature review that investigates the factors behind disproportionately low utilization of mental health services by East Asians in North America despite significant needs they have. The study adopts postcolonial theory to bring cultural and structural lens to the topic and uncovers internal and external factors that negatively impact the accessibility of mental health services in East Asian communities. Internal factors include: East Asian cultural values, traditional beliefs regarding mental health, personal stigma, and collective stigma, while external factors within the counselling profession include: the construction of therapy as a White institution, the lack of representation of East Asians within the counselling field, and systemic barriers. Based on these findings, the study highlights the importance of facilitating inter-community connections in East Asian populations and promoting self-compassion as well as adopting a cultural lens in counselling as significant steps in supporting the mental health of East Asian communities. This capstone paper concludes by outlining the need to incorporate these findings into clinical practice to better support East Asian mental health