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Postpartum Mood Disorders and Weight Stigma in the Medical System
No full textA growing body of research could identify systemic and environmental factors that can contribute to mood disorders in postpartum women. It is possible there is significant research based in stigmatization of obese and overweight persons in the medical system and ongoing research regarding women in the postpartum period. There could be a connection between the pressure women feel to lose weight after pregnancy and the onset of postpartum mood disorders. The purpose of this literature review is to connect research in the postpartum period and the effects on medical weight stigma. It is important to remember that it is possible for women and new parents face many challenges during the postpartum period. Mental health and emotional effects of new parenthood can often be put to the side when the baby's needs are prioritized. As counsellors, it is important that we are aware of the needs of new parents and postpartum women and provide them with support and tools to meet their needs during this difficult time
Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration: An Introduction to Concept and Practice
No full textThe use of psychedelics for therapeutic purposes and personal exploration has been gaining significant attention in the media, public interest, and clinical trials. This surge in interest has created a growing demand for training, education, and awareness about the potential benefits and risks associated with these substances. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current landscape and research surrounding psychedelics. It seeks to emphasize the key considerations and provide professionals with a comprehensive understanding of the stages involved in psychedelic-assisted therapy, including assessment, preparation, and integration. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of adopting a harm reduction approach when working with both clients and also for providers in this field. Lastly, this paper will conclude by proposing and providing an overview of a training program designed to introduce and orient health professionals to this growing and emerging field
Pregnancy-related Anorexia Nervosa and its Effect on the Maternal-Fetal Bond
No full textPregorexia describes women who reduce calorie intake and increase exercise to control weight gain during pregnancy. Due to the increasing consumption of social media and the desire for the ideal body type, it becomes necessary to monitor how pregorexia influences expecting mothers. The research question of this literature review is: is the maternal-fetal bond impacted due to Anorexia Nervosa (AN) in pregnancy? The researcher gathered qualitative and quantitative studies using inclusion and exclusion criteria to complete this literature review. This literature review included ten primary research articles since the year 2016. Using the network analysis approach, three themes answer the research question. The first theme examines the maternal-fetal bond and its association with adult insecure attachment style. The second theme looks at the association between depression and the maternal-fetal bond. The last theme discusses the symptoms of AN during pregnancy and its impacts on the fetus. Based on the literature analysis, an inference can be made that maternal-fetal bonding is significantly influenced by AN, even in non-eating disorder populations. Until recently, AN was a Westernized culture-bound syndrome. However, recent research has shown AN across geographic borders with variations in symptomology. Based on the inferences and themes identified in this literature review, it is essential to raise awareness about the impact of social media during pregnancy. In turn, this awareness will help mothers diagnosed with AN during pregnancy to build stronger maternal-fetal bonds
Existential Therapy & Chronic Pain
No full textChronic pain is a poorly understood condition with rising rates of occurrence. Contemporary approaches to treating it are lacking. ET has been identified as an underutilized method for counselling chronic pain sufferers. This paper utilizes a hermeneutic phenomenological approach and a formal literature review. Areas of synergy are identified between chronic pain suffering and ET approaches. Specific ET approaches include daseinsanalysis, existential analytic, existential-humanistic, and existential-phenomenological. It explores topics such as death, freedom, meaning, and isolation. Existential-phenomenological therapy explores these categories through the physical, social, psychological, and spiritual worlds. Having outlined the historical limitations inhibiting the use of ET for chronic pain and the current factors supporting its application, the paper concludes with recommendations for future practice and a personal reflection
Societal Pressures and Their Impact on Adolescent Males
No full textAdolescent males are suffering due to pressures and expectations imposed on them by society to behave in certain ways. This paper explores the negative impact these pressures are having on this demographic both on their wellbeing and their sense of safety at school. The research describes the mental health issues that boys are experiencing as they try to navigate this already difficult developmental period in their lives. We pose the question: How can school community create a safer emotional environment for boys to flourish? This is explored by looking at the following themes: Theme #1: Mental Health Issues being experienced by adolescent males. Some of the mental health issues highlighted were how boys are feeling isolated while they suffer in silence. We looked at the roles of school and families in helping or hindering these youth. The research found that adolescent males cannot be their authentic selves. They feel pressure to not rely on social connections and drop friendships as they transition from elementary to middle school. Theme #2: Behaviour expectations/gender biases. This theme examines some of the gender biases and expectations imposed on youth by society and in particular, at school by trusted adults. This is causing many to underperform academically as too often negative
messages become “truths”, leading to negative self-concept. Theme #3: Improving school culture and mental health of school community. In this third theme through the lens of humanistic and belonging theories, we see the different ways that school cultures can be improved to treat each individual in an equitable and fair manner. Finally, in chapter three we list recommendations on how to develop and nurture a healthy and safe school community for all members to feel a sense of belonging. Some of these recommendations include community service opportunities, groups and clubs, helping staff become more attuned to themselves and those around them
How to Help Highly Sensitive People
No full textThe purpose of this capstone is to review the current literature on definitions of who a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) is, what assessment measurements are currently available, what shared traits of a HSP with other mental issues exist, and if HSPs are a different group, and if there are different neuro-biological differences of an HSP. To begin, the background of this topic and a brief explanation of why this area is significant to me and how this research can benefit the counselling field is offered. In reviewing the current literature, the intent is to have a better understanding of an HSP and to propose best practices for therapy modalities for them. As a result, I could not find evidence for a precise definition, the best assessment measurement, and a clear understanding of whether there was a different neuro-biological trait of an HSP. However, based on the listed characteristics of an HSP, I suggested several therapeutic modalities that could help a highly sensitive client. These modalities were psychoeducation, person-centered therapy, mindfulness-based therapies, exposure therapy, resilience building, body-oriented therapies, art therapy, strength-based cognitive behavioral therapy, neurofeedback, and integrative therapeutic approaches. The result is that there needs to be more evidence to prove all of this. I hope, however, that this work will provide information on where the subsequent research studies could go in helping understand and treat HSPs
Supporting the Well-Being of Perfectionistic Adolescents
No full textPerfectionism has been linked to a range of psychopathology symptoms in adolescents such as depression, anxiety, and suicide. Moreover, studies have indicated that up to 30% of adolescents suffer from a maladaptive form of perfectionism. Despite these facts, there are limited resources and programs explicitly targeting perfectionism in schools. This capstone aims to answer the question: How can teachers and/or school counsellors support the well-being of perfectionistic adolescents in schools? To answer this question, this capstone will first review literature related to the most prominent models of perfectionism and measurement tools used with adolescent populations as well as key characteristics of maladaptive perfectionism in adolescents. This will help to define perfectionism within adolescent populations. Next, literature related to developmental factors and negative outcomes of adolescent perfectionism will be presented to identify targets for support. Current school-based preventions and supports will also be explored. Finally, a recommendation for middle school programming will be made to provide accessible resources for teachers and school counsellors to help support perfectionistic adolescents. Attachment Theory and Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory will be used as a theoretical framework to guide the research of this capstone
Counselling Disaffiliated Evangelicals
No full textAt the heart of this capstone project are individuals who have exited conservative evangelicalism and are reclaiming and rebuilding their lives after having adverse religious experiences and experiencing religious trauma from fundamental evangelical settings. The paper provides a snapshot of the identity and beliefs of fundamental evangelicals and a review of the literature on the diverse mental health issues disaffiliated evangelicals may seek support with. Considerations and cautions for clinical counsellors in working with disaffiliated evangelicals are included. This exploration is done with the hope that it will be informative and helpful for mental health professionals when members of this demographic seek support and intervention