The National University System Repository exists to increase public access to research and other materials created by students and faculty of the affiliate institutions of National University System. Most items in the repository are open access, freely available to everyone.
Recent Submissions
Item The Impact of Individualism and Collectivism on Psychotherapy: Is Therapy in North America Individualistic? Exploring the Infusion of Collectivism Into Therapy Practices(2024-10)Western societies, especially in North America, predominantly emphasize individualism, which prioritizes autonomy, independence, and self-reliance. This cultural orientation, embedded within counselling and psychotherapy, may inadvertently exacerbate issues such as social isolation and mental health challenges. In contrast, collectivism—valuing community, interdependence, and group harmony—offers an alternative framework that promotes stronger social connections and potentially more holistic approaches to mental well-being. Through an extensive literature review and critical analysis, this research highlights the limitations of individualism-centric therapy models and advocates for the integration of collectivist principles to create more culturally responsive and inclusive therapeutic practices. The study examines both the positive and negative aspects of individualism and collectivism on mental health outcomes and offers practical recommendations for incorporating collectivist values into therapy. By proposing a culturally informed therapeutic framework, this project aims to foster more balanced and effective mental health interventions, particularly in multicultural contexts where diverse cultural needs must be met. This approach seeks to bridge the gap between individualism and collectivism, ultimately contributing to more holistic and community-oriented mental health care.Item Impact of Childhood Trauma on Romantic Relationships(2024-06-30)This 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.Item Exploring the Effectiveness of Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples who Experience Infidelity(2024-10-08)Infidelity, 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.Item Fragmented Identities: The Immigrant Experience of Cultural Loss, Grief and Attachment(2024)Immigration is a part of Canada's cultural fibre. As such, counsellors will likely work with immigrant clients who are experiencing challenges related to unnamed grief. This capstone explores the immigrant experience of cultural loss and its impact on attachment styles. Research in the areas of living losses, attachment, and culture is presented to provide counsellors with a framework for addressing the grief that can accompany the loss of culture. Special attention is given to disenfranchised grief and ambiguous loss to expand conceptualizations around grief and better address the needs of immigrant clients. Psychoeducational resources are provided to support counsellors in naming and validating the loss of culture.
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