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.
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Item Multicultural Supervision and Black Female Counsellors(2024-11-11)The literature review in this capstone paper addresses the dynamic between Black female supervisees and supervisors. The author researched Black women’s experiences in supervision to fill a gap the current literature on the topic. Little research exists on the effect of the supervision dynamic on Black women. The research question for this literature review is "In what ways do supervisors' and supervisees' dynamic relationships impact Black women in counselling supervision?" The major findings include the following themes: the skewed power dynamics in supervision, the inference of metastereotypes in supervision, the internalisation of stereotypes, the experience of microaggressions in supervision, and cultural humility in supervision as a panacea. This study shows that Black women in counselling supervision risk multiple adverse effects from the supervision dynamic. The author makes recommendations for aspiring supervisees and supervisors to mitigate these challenges. The author also recommended relational-cultural theory, strength-based supervision, and an ecological-systems approach to future practice in the supervision of Black women. The study concludes with clinical recommendations for practice, future research questions, and a reflective statement.Item Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: An Introduction to Clinical Practice & Theoretical Concepts(2024)Psychedelic-assisted therapy is an emerging therapeutic modality within the healthcare system. The use of psychedelics for therapeutic purposes, spiritual exploration, and personal growth has garnered increased attention in the past few decades. The evidence-based research through clinical trials conducted by reputable clinicians and healthcare institutions has demonstrated the legitimacy of psychedelics for treating mental health conditions, and for being healing tools to increase an individual’s quality of life. As a result, there has been a significant rise in curiosity from the general public regarding psychedelic-assisted therapy as a treatment modality. This has led to a demand for clinicians to be thoroughly and competently educated as to how psychedelics can be utilized within clinical, therapeutic environments for healing purposes. Drawing from the research and literature reviews, this paper intends to provide an in-depth guide for clinicians who are interested in learning about this therapeutic modality. It will also discuss the core foundational therapeutic philosophies, three theoretical frameworks and interventions which are utilized in clinical research and practice, a summary of psychedelics in Western culture and healthcare, and key ethical considerations within this healing modality.Item Comparing the Effectiveness of Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) and Cognitive-Behavioral Play Therapy (CBPT): Improving Attachment Security in Preschool Children who Have Faced Relational Trauma(2024-12-16)This capstone will focus on the effects of relational trauma on preschool children's attachment. Following a review of the literature on the topic will be a discussion on the benefits and shortcomings of both child centered play therapy (CCPT) and cognitive behavioural play therapy (CBPT). A comparison will be done to examine the different approaches regarding improving attachment security for this population. The research question being explored is: is CCPT or CBPT more effective in improving attachment security in preschool children who have faced relational trauma? The area of research will delve into the topics of relational trauma in children, how attachment is developed, the challenges in relationships for children after trauma, and comparative therapeutic options for these children. The research found on these topics will then be brought together to provide guidance on the research question at hand. The literature review suggested that the most significant difference between CCPT and CBPT for addressing attachment and relational trauma is the aim of a directive or child led approach. If a client is needing emphasis on a healthy relationship, then CCPT may be more effective. If the child is needing structure and direction, CBPT may be more beneficial. There are positives and negatives to each method, and it is up to the therapist to decide where their competence lies and what their client needs.Item Addressing Counselling Barriers for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence in Rural British Columbia(2024-12)In British Columbia (B.C.), Canada, rural survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) face significantly higher rates and severity of abuse than their urban counterparts, yet are much less likely to access counselling and other support services. Survivors of IPV in rural B.C. face many intersectional barriers which impact their access to counselling, including financial, geographical, systemic (related to criminal justice and social services), cultural (affecting marginalized populations), social (influenced by rural norms and values), and technological barriers. This capstone will explore the barriers and risk factors affecting access to counselling for rural B.C. survivors, culminating in a collaborative workshop grounded in decolonial feminist, anti-oppressive, and trauma-informed counselling theory. The workshop aims to help B.C. counsellors and agencies gain a deeper understanding of the unique challenges faced by IPV survivors in rural B.C., and support them in developing strategies to address community- and region-specific barriers to counselling. Strategies and recommendations will focus on key themes including community-based resource collaboration; education and awareness-building at personal, professional, and community levels; centering survivors' expertise; providing safe and appropriate services for Indigenous and otherwise minoritized rural IPV survivors; and remaining flexible to the diverse needs of different rural B.C. communities. Ultimately, the goal of this capstone project is to support more IPV survivors in rural B.C. who want to access counselling to be able to do so, and to feel understood and supported when they do.Item Building Financial Awareness and Empathy in Therapeutic Spaces(2024-12-22)A vast range of financially rooted concerns arise in therapeutic settings, often intertwined with client-presenting issues. Despite the strong ties between financially related stress and overall well-being and its role as a significant source of personal and relational conflict, clinical research and evidence-based guidance on addressing this area remains limited. Although sparse, existing research suggests that many counselling clinicians tend to avoid assessing and leaning into money-related topics despite their deep connections to client identity and well-being. Whether or not existing research represents what occurs in practice, this capstone invites all clinicians, no matter their experience, to explore this impactful and complex area, fostering greater financial awareness and empathy within their work. This capstone aims to uncover financial assessment and inquiry barriers that may limit valuable insights and holistic client care. Offering clinicians introductory steps for deconstructing these barriers where relevant, this work encourages the cultivation of financial empathy through self-reflective practice, self-reflexivity, and a commitment to ongoing learning. Just as cultivating cultural humility helps clinicians understand diverse backgrounds, developing financial empathy enables them to better comprehend their clients’ and their own experiences with money-related matters. A core outcome of this capstone is to unpack financially rooted concerns, proposing a more nuanced framework to clarify which aspects fall within and beyond clinical scope. Findings suggest that while clinicians are well-positioned to explore many aspects of money-related stressors, many require additional support through training and evidence-based practices to navigate this territory confidently, even when it means making informed referrals. Ultimately, this capstone serves as an ethical call to action for clinicians, scholars, and leaders to lean in and amplify underrepresented voices and perspectives in the literature—voices that can better equip clinicians to approach financial matters with attunement to their profound impact on client identity and well-being.
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