CityU Scholarly Work (Restricted)

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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11803/5
Contains access-restricted scholarly work from City University of Seattle students, faculty, and staff.
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    Counselling and Culture: The Influence of Masculinity and Cultural Identity on Mental Health Perceptions in South Asian Canadian Men
    (2025-12) Dosanjh, Gavin
    This psychology capstone reviews mental health experiences for the chosen demographic of South Asian Canadian men. This is done with a focus on cultural strengths and implications and theories of masculinity. The studies shared in this paper have a focus on emotional suppression, gender-related stigma, and intergenerational pressures around mental health. The three themes that are addressed in the literature review section of this capstone are cultural gender norms and expectations, media and gender stereotypes, and barriers to seeking mental health. Sub-themes include the subjectivity of masculinity, norms shaped in childhood, healthy masculinity, and cultural implications on mental health perspectives. These ideas are analyzed in relation to cultural competency and how counsellors may practice in a stance of cultural humility and understanding when working with diverse populations. The third chapter discussed key findings, such as how an individual's views of masculinity influences help-seeking behavior, culturally competency being a factor to increasing counselling engagement, and social media narratives influencing one's views of coping.
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    Exploring the Role of Social and Cultural Norms on Camouflaging in Autistic Adults
    (2025-11-10) Ploof-Montano, Ashley
    This capstone examines the guiding research question: What role do social and cultural expectations play in decisions to camouflage autistic traits, and how does this affect identity? Autistic individuals frequently engage in camouflaging, or masking, to hide their traits in response to stigma and societal expectations that favour neurotypical norms. A thematic literature review was conducted, drawing from peer-reviewed studies published primarily in the last five years. Through thematic analysis, three overarching themes emerged: (1) the influence of societal expectations and the pervasive need to "fit in," (2) the internal conflict and identity challenges that arise from masking, and (3) the psychological tolls and trade-offs of camouflaging as both protection and cost. Social Identity Theory provided the theoretical framework for interpreting how in-group and out-group dynamics shape autistic experiences of stigma, self-perception, and identity negotiation. Findings highlight that camouflaging is not an individual deficit but a socially shaped response to marginalization, with implications for clinical practice, policy, and research. Clinicians must adopt neurodiversity-affirming approaches that avoid reinforcing camouflaging and instead validate autistic identities. This project underscores the urgent need for stigma reduction, inclusive environments, and interventions that support authenticity, belonging, and psychological well-being for autistic adults.
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    Emotional and Physical Changes During the Perinatal Period: Implications for Counsellors
    (2025-11) Johal, Sumanjit
    This capstone project aims to synthesize the current research focusing on the emotional and physical changes that occur during pregnancy and post-partum on current mental health interventions and counselling practices. The project contributes to the counselling field by identifying the gaps and highlighting the importance of having culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, and evidence-based approaches for maternal mental health care. Relevant studies on interventions and longitudinal research are organized around four central themes: physical, emotional, sociocultural factors, and current mental health support strategies. These four themes highlight key issues such as post-partum-related anxiety, depression, post-birth complications, and sociocultural factors leading to barriers for effective assessible care and counselling supports. Guided by an attachment and feminist perspective to reach its conclusions, this review examines changing relational dynamics, sociocultural expectations, and relevant counselling interventions. Research consistently demonstrates that the perinatal period has a significant impact on a mother's emotional and physical well-being, while highlighting the need for additional specialized support to prevent further psychological and physical distress. However, limitations in current literature highlight significant gaps in representation of diverse populations, culturally sensitive care, and small sample sizes limit the scope within the results. Findings from this capstone project aim to enhance current counselling and healthcare practices through the application of effective evidence-based and inclusive therapeutic frameworks for maternal mental health needs.
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    Narrative Therapy for Ethnic Identity Development in Adolescents and Adults
    (2025-11-12) Wei, Esther
    This capstone project proposes using narrative therapy (NT) as a psychotherapeutic modality to support ethnic identity development and well-being among ethnic minority adolescents and adults in Canada. Framed within an anti-oppressive and multicultural context, the paper highlights the positive relationship between ethnic identity and well-being, particularly in youth populations, before outlining Phinney's stage theory of ethnic identity development. The work summarizes NT as a counselling approach before proposing a workshop that bridges theory and practice, offering practical, culturally resonant NT interventions tailored to diverse client needs. The project also addresses ethical considerations, potential limitations, and the importance of therapist-client collaboration in fostering empowerment, healing, and social change.
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    Yes-And Therapy: Exploring Improvisational Psychodrama to Foster Secure Attachment and Psychological Flexibility
    (2025-11) deBoer, Michael
    This capstone explores the intersection of the core psychological needs of attachment and authenticity, and the therapeutic potential of Improvisational Theatre (Improv) as an experiential intervention. The review covers the foundational importance of Attachment Theory, highlighting how early caregiver inconsistency and lack of attunement can lead to insecure attachment patterns, emotional dysregulation, and attachment trauma. Furthermore, the central goal of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to increase psychological flexibility is examined, alongside how non-judgmental acceptance of internal experiences and values-driven action and aligns with the core process of improv which is being mindful and accepting of the present moment. Improv, characterized by its emphasis on active listening, acceptance, collaboration, and spontaneity, naturally creates an environment of secure, attuned, and non-judgmental relational space. This paper details how the use of improv techniques in non-theatrical settings has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing communication, social-cognitive skills, emotional regulation, and tolerance for uncertainty. Additionally, Improv’s core principles align directly with fostering unconditional positive regard and strengthening the therapeutic alliance, key components of therapeutic success. Finally, this paper proposes Improvisational Psychodrama Therapy (IPT) as a promising approach toward psychological well-being and the secure alignment of the authentic self with genuine connection.