The purpose of my thesis was to describe the perspectives of child and youth mental health clinicians on the integration of mainstream mental health approaches and traditional Aboriginal healing practices. Research participants consisted of four clinicians currently employed by the Ministry of Children and Family Development, who have delivered services in the Northern region of British Columbia within the last twelve months. The literature review examined a variety of topic related areas, including: Cultural Safety Research Considerations Aboriginal Mental Health Mainstream Mental Health Approaches Traditional Aboriginal Healing Practices Integrated Mental Health Approaches and Considerations for Rural Practice. I applied a qualitative research approach, guided by the tenets of a constructivist lens. The process of examining my research findings involved the application of a Thematic Analysis approach. My research findings support the need for future research that would expand the scope and applicability of findings. These findings suggest that clinicians see the value of integrated approaches in both their practice and in outcomes for their clients. In addition, findings suggest that clinicians perceive the limitations of mainstream approaches as potential barriers to the efficacy of therapeutic interventions. Implications related to the field of social work include the institution of organizational specific cultural safety training and shifts towards more flexible and collaboratively based service delivery structures. --Leaf i.
The purpose of this project was to develop a self-care group for new counsellors. The first part of this project includes a literature review that explores foundation concepts including wellness, impairment, mindfulness, and self-compassion. The group outline is organized into two main parts. In the first part of the group, participants are asked to reflect on the experience of counselling. Topics covered include the wellness-impairment continuum, somatic empathy, and stress. Part two of the group focusses on wellness promotion and participants are asked to reflect upon concepts of mindfulness, self-compassion, and creative self-care. Throughout this group, new counsellors will participate in meditations, experiential activities, and discussions. The guiding principle of this group is that if new counsellors are taught tools to broaden their awareness, then they may be better able to recognise when and how they are being affected by helping and intervene with compassionate self-soothing and self-care practices. --Leaf ii.
The purpose of this research project was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Many-Facet Rasch Model and Generalizability Theory as applied to the application selection committee for the Masters of Education in Counselling Program at UNBC. These two models investigated the items used to score applicants and assessed the rater characteristics of each member on the application selection committee. This evaluation was used to inform the School of Education and provide feedback to refine the selection process in the future. Overall, the applicant selection process at UNBC produced a unitary score that can be used to rank all individuals applying to the counseling program. The 5-point rating scale used to evaluate applicants served as an appropriate measurement tool for assessing applicants. The raters who participated as members on the selection committee were fitting both as groups and as individuals in selecting applicants for the counselling program. To conclude, the Many-Facet Rasch Model and Generalizabiilty Theory served as appropriate measurement tools for describing the details of items, raters, and applicants. --P.ii.
The purpose of this project is to develop a workshop to train counselling students or individuals in the helping field, the process of self-reflection and introspection. A review of the literature on counsellor development and introspection is provided, including the process of becoming a counsellor counsellor development and introspection attachment theory and counsellor development and supervision in counsellor training. The format of the workshop, the target audience, and ethical concerns are described. Finally, a detailed description of the workshop, outlining the intended schedule, activities and lectures is presented. --Leaf ii.
Counsellors undergo a unique process of identity development. Previous research shows that the therapeutic alliance and the therapists' use of self have greater impact on therapy outcomes than the specific techniques used. Thus, counsellor development involves integrating new skills, knowledge, and theory with a more in-depth knowledge of self and others resulting in a qualitative change in the self of the counsellor. The creation of this blended personal-professional identity is often accompanied by anxiety, insecurity, and distress. Previous research has focused on improvements to educational programs and supervision practices aimed primarily at educators and researchers. This thesis was written by and for the beginning practitioner with the intent of adding a personal dimension to the existing research. Evocative autoethnography was used to explore counsellor development from an affective, relational, and intimate perspective with the hope of both normalizing and celebrating a powerfully transformative experience. --Leaf ii.
Counsellor identity development is a unique and challenging journey which involves both academic training and personal formation. Research shows that who the counsellor is, personally and interpersonally, is of greater impact in the therapeutic alliance than theory or technique. The counsellor's ongoing individual work on self, experiences in life, and growth in self-awareness, empathy, and compassion are important tasks as the counsellor moves from a novice counsellor to a master therapist. This thesis is meant to add to the body of research on counsellor identity development following the progression of a counsellor in training through this process. Evocative autoethnography was utilized to provide a deeply personal perspective of the process and change that occurred. It was found that spirituality, creativity, and play, as well as the integration of emotional, mental, and somatic parts of self were essential elements of this transformational journey of becoming.
