CityU Scholarly Work (Open Access)
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Contains open access scholarly work from City University of Seattle students, faculty, and staff.
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Item The Role of the Counsellor's Voice in Therapy(2025-06) Metzger, DonyaA counsellor's voice can have a significant therapeutic impact. Viewed through the lens of polyvagal theory, the prosody of the counsellor's voice communicates their nervous system regulation and creates a sense of safety for the client. The warmth of the counsellor's voice and their ability to mirror the client’s vocal features contributes to the strong establishment of the therapeutic alliance. The voice also supports corrective attachment experiences with soothing and comforting sounds that let the client know they are seen, understood, and valued, while syncing and out-syncing with a client's vocal features can facilitate movement towards secure attachment. At a neurobiological level, the voice expresses attunement and facilitates emotion regulation via the connection between right brains of counsellor and client. Similarly, vocal synchronization and entrainment are associated with perceived empathy. Counsellors with vocal awareness and flexibility can employ different prosodic patterns for validating a client’s emotions or challenging them to explore new meanings. Arousal correlates well with the fundamental frequency of the voice – the pitch – but studies yield mixed results when measuring counsellors' pitch patterns against outcomes. This paper presents a 90 minute voice workshop for counsellors and counselling students to increase their awareness of their voices and increase vocal skill and flexibility.Item Dissociative Trauma: A Framework in Working With Substance Users in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside(2025-05-18) Prasuhn, Erica "Ocean"Dissociation, once narrowly defined as a rare and extreme disruption of consciousness, is now increasingly understood as a spectrum of responses to trauma, particularly in the context of complex developmental histories (van der Hart, 2021). This evolving understanding is highly relevant in addiction treatment, where individuals frequently present with unrecognized or under-treated dissociative symptoms stemming from chronic, relational, and developmental trauma (Huỳnh et al., 2016; Oviedo-Joekes et al., 2011). Emerging research indicates that complex trauma is disproportionately prevalent in populations with substance use disorders, often driving both the initiation and maintenance of addictive behaviours as maladaptive coping mechanisms (Baudin et al., 2022). Trauma-focused therapeutic approaches, including models like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), have shown promise in addressing the underlying dissociative processes that fuel addiction (Bae et al., 2016; Deacon & Abramowitz, 2004; Karatzias et al., 2019). This paper advocates to incorporate dissociative symptom screening, and evidence-based trauma focused treatment into addiction recovery settings, emphasizing clinical strategies (van der Hart, 2010). By addressing the dissociative roots of addiction, treatment programs can offer more sustainable recovery pathways for this highly vulnerable population.Item Is Nature-based Therapy the Best Therapy for ADHD Youth?(2025-06-06) MacDonald, WillowYouth with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are at a greater risk for mental health challenges, relationship struggles, poverty, unemployment, and substance abuse, especially with a lack of support (Faraone & Biederman, 2005). Since adolescence is a cornerstone in the development of self-identity and self-worth, it is essential to identify effective therapeutic approaches that ensure youth with ADHD have the confidence and tools to support them in their transition to adulthood. The purpose of this research coincides with this need for support by exploring nature-based therapy as a practical approach for youth with ADHD and explores three research questions: (1) What is the presentation of ADHD in the youth population? (2) What does research show are the best therapeutic approaches and modalities for youth with ADHD? (3) How does nature-based therapy compare to other therapeutic approaches and modalities for youth with ADHD? Several studies have shown that exposure to nature is effective in reducing stress, reducing mental fatigue, increasing energy, increasing focus, balancing mood, and fostering healing (Jordan, 2019). In comparison to other commonly used therapeutic approaches (e.g., cognitive behavioural therapy, behavioural therapy, art therapy, music therapy, and play therapy), nature-based therapy offers a more holistic approach in effectively supporting youth with ADHD. Through a summation of ADHD, adolescence and the combination in tandem with an analysis of therapeutic approaches, this research acts as groundwork for further research and practice of nature-based therapy.Item Leaving the Cycle: Battling the Shadows and Healing from Intimate Partner Violence(2025-06-20) Thompson, JenniferThis capstone project explores intimate partner violence (IPV) through the dual lenses of attachment theory and social constructionism to illustrate the complex relationships between individual psychological processes and broader sociocultural dynamics. Drawing from both empirical literature and clinical case material, this work shows how attachment disruptions and internalized social narratives shape survivors’ identities, coping strategies, and recovery journeys. Particular attention is given to the experiences of marginalized communities, including LGBTQ2+ individuals and survivors impacted by cultural, racial, and systemic oppression. The discussion addresses implications for counsellors, families, organizations, and policymakers, emphasizing the necessity for trauma-informed, intersectional, and survivor-centered care. Recommendations for clinical, community, and policy levels, advocating for integrative therapeutic approaches, expanded support services, and systemic changes are included. Limitations include gaps in research around non-physical forms of abuse and diverse survivor populations. The capstone concludes by urging future research to focus on culturally grounded interventions, long-term recovery, and the impactful role of advocacy in healing. Through this work, the capstone aims to support more compassionate, just, and effective responses to IPV.Item The Perceived Impact of Somatic Coaching on Coach Effectiveness(2025-06-25) Caswell, ChristinaTraditional leadership development programs focused predominantly on reflective practices and cognitive skills are no longer sufficient for meeting contemporary leadership demands. Somatic coaching is a holistic approach in which the individual’s way of being is used as the ground to coach and develop leaders. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of coaches certified in the Strozzi Institute of Somatics' Somatic Coaching (SISC) training program. A qualitative research study was conducted to provide an in-depth understanding of the experiences of the SISC-certified coaches. A phenomenological research design was used to gain insights from the study participants. Intentional change theory and a human performance improvement model were used to frame the study. The research population consisted of coaches practicing as executive, business, corporate, or leadership coaches who graduated from the SISC training program since 2001. Semistructured interviews were conducted with eight SISC-certified coaches selected through purposeful sampling. The two research questions answered for the study were: What are the somatic change experiences of coaches certified in the somatic coaching methodology by the Strozzi Institute? What is the perceived impact of the somatic coaching methodological intervention on the coaching effectiveness of experienced coaches who become certified graduates of the Strozzi Institute Somatic Coaching training program? A purposeful six-phased approach to thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview responses. Four themes emerged. First, embodiment is a catalyst for somatics in coaching transformation. Second was, coaches experience enhanced embodied presence in their way of being through somatic coaching practices. The third theme was using the body in coaching improves effectiveness in the coaching relationship. The last theme was somatic coaching enhances coaches' effectiveness in facilitating client change. The findings indicate by addressing the being of leaders through somatic coaching, leaders can be prepared to lead effectively in the face of modern-day leadership complexities. The significance of the study is expanded knowledge about the role of the body in coaching as an intervention to develop and prepare leaders and to facilitate change. The research informs coaching practitioners, organizational stakeholders, and scholars about the importance of embodied approaches in leadership development.