Anastasia Russell (author)
Indrani Margolin (thesis advisor)
Jeanne Harrison (committee member)
Tammy Pearson (committee member)
University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)

2020

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Social Work

1 online resource (77 pages)

Through my practicum, I explored the role of a child and youth mental health clinician (CYMH) while also expanding and adapting my clinical skills and therapeutic modalities. Early childhood development and trauma have shown to have tremendous influence over the onset of future mental health concerns, while epigenetics and biology also play a key role in the development of potential neurological disorders. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness and Expressive Arts Therapy were investigated within the realm of mental health. These modalities are actively used as therapeutic tools within CYMH. This practicum report expands on the role of trauma within mental health, exploring holistic approaches such as Expressive Arts Therapy and meditation in concurrence with CBT and MBSR to facilitate deeper understanding of a person’s narrative through their own creative and subjective experience. While pharmacology helps keep symptomology at a baseline, it is the coping and regulation tools that are needed to help a person navigate their own internal processes and stress modulation in order to achieve post-traumatic growth.

Child mental health
Youth--Mental health
Cognitive therapy
Art therapy

​http://doi.org/10.24124/2020/59067

research (documents)