Research Repository
LU|ZONE|UL distributes and preserves the scholarly work of LU faculty. It is a space for faculty to support the dissemination of knowledge created at Laurentian.
Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD) Repository This section preserves Master's theses and doctoral dissertations accepted at Laurentian University and is a mechanism for making this form of scholarly work widely accessible.
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Recent Submissions
Engaging in effective crisis intervention in a mental health context
(Laurentian University Library & Archives, 2023-08-21) Jones, Kelsey; Dr. Sandra Hoy
Dr. Tanya Shute
Mental health crises are prevalent throughout the Western context (Kane et al., 2017;
Rogers et al., 2019; Yeager & Roberts, 2015). This prevalence is influenced by the inadequacy
of mental health resources, those experiencing mental health crises left with little to no options in
recovery (Iacobucci, 2014; Kane et al., 2017; Kerr et al., 2010; Marcus & Stergiopoulos, 2022).
Thus, the law enforcement system has assumed the responsibility of crisis intervention,
influencing increasing rates of arrest, incarceration, injury, and fatalities throughout intervention
(De Shalit et al., 2022; Iacobucci, 2014; Kerr et al., 2010; Parent, 2011; Marcus & Stergiopoulos,
2022; Rogers et al., 2019). My advanced practicum was thus focused on identifying and
engaging with current approaches to mental health crises from social work, law enforcement, and
collaborative perspectives as observed at the Canadian Mental Health Association. Through my
advanced practicum, I attempted to identify challenges to these perspectives specific to crisis
intervention stratagem and worked to increase efficacy in exploring positive change. This
practicum also created space for the exploration of the chosen service user population,
identifying the importance and efficacy of crisis intervention among said population. This report
was guided by my ongoing reflection practices, working to identify and analyze both my
practical role and effective intervention strategies. This report was also guided by my chosen
theoretical basis, Strengths-Based Social Work, Crisis Theory/The Crisis Intervention Model,
and Critical Theory influencing my participation and analyzation of effective crisis intervention.
Exploring the impacts of adverse childhood experiences on anxiety and depression in adulthood: learning through practice
(Laurentian University Library & Archives, 2023-08-23) Decaire, Brittany; Dr. Lea Tufford
Dr. Sandra Hoy
This report focuses on my 450-hour advanced practicum at the Northern Ontario
Counselling Clinic (NOCC) as a partial requirement of the Laurentian University Master of
Social Work program. The Northern Ontario Counselling Clinic is a private practice located in
Sudbury, Ontario that provides individual, couple, family, and group counselling in both official
languages. The primary focus of my advanced practicum at NOCC was to explore the
relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and anxiety and depression in an
adult client population situated in northeastern Ontario. My advanced practicum also examined
how social workers, using various intervention approaches, can work with adult survivors of
ACEs to support them in their path towards healing and recovery from early trauma. In this
practicum report, I present my learnings derived from the literature as well as from my practicum
experience at NOCC.
A braided approach within a mainstream counselling organization
(Laurentian University Library & Archives, 2023-08-29) Carpino, Stephanie; Dr. Elizabeth Carlson-Manathara
Dr. Joey-Lynn Wabie
Indigenous people in Canada have experienced a complicated history that includes forced
colonization, segregation, and forced assimilation tactics imposed on them by the Canadian
government. As a result, Indigenous people today suffer from complex mental health needs and
require a unique therapeutic approach. This final practicum report focuses on a braided approach
in a therapeutic setting, which involved gaining knowledge around mainstream healing practices
and Indigenous healing practices and learning to delicately braid them together to produce a
unique healing approach that could be applied with Indigenous and non-Indigenous clients.
Through my practicum at Family TLC, I set out to observe how braided approaches could be
implemented into a mainstream therapeutic organization. Furthermore, it was essential for me to
critically reflect on how my understanding of my social location would evolve throughout my
practicum which was a secondary objective. The last objective reflected in this final paper, is
regarding the use of a braided healing approach with non-Indigenous clients and their perception
on their therapeutic healing journey. Finally, I have included reflections on the practicum site, the
support within the organizations, barriers and challenges experienced, and a future within the
organization.
Canadian lone mothers: structural and systemic barriers in social work practice
(Laurentian University Library & Archives, 2023-10-20) Batantou, Djov; Dr. Tanya Shute
Dorothy Larkman
This Advanced Practicum Project Report examined the experience of my advanced
practicum at the Canadian Mental Health Association North Bay and District (CMHA). This
report reflects on the questions from the onset and my learning goals that consisted of
understanding how the structural and systemic barriers that are in existence impact Canadian
lone mothers’ social determinants of health; in allyship with experts by experience (Canadian
lone mothers), to understand what Canadian lone mothers suggest needs to occur to mitigate or
eradicate these barriers; to become knowledgeable about local community services, if any, so I
can better refer lone mothers in instances where the placement organization is not suitable or
does not offer the supports; to learn how to best support lone mothers from a structural, AOP,
feminist approach in community social services. Furthermore, this report describes how the
identified learning goals were adequately met through methods of shadowing case managers,
conducting client sessions/interventions, performing clientele home visits, conducting research
that focused on Canadian lone mothers, confiding with CMHA staff and my practicum
supervisor, and receiving clinical supervision from my Masters of Social Work supervisor. The
Advanced Practicum Report concludes with implications for transformative social work practice.
Stepping lightly: a rural site approach for habitat restoration
(Laurentian University Library & Archives, 2022-04-07) Bugaliski, Emmalyn; Mark Baechler
In light of the global decline of biodiversity, this thesis seeks to
address local issues threatening species which could lead to greater
positive global impact. The local issues experienced within the Lake
Erie-Lake Ontario Ecoregion, located in Southwestern Ontario, reveal
habitat loss as the key threat to biodiversity. The majority of habitat was
lost as a result of deforestation caused by the logging industry and the
clearing of the landscape for agricultural use. Forests were once all-
encompassing entities covering Southwestern Ontario, today they sit at
the margins of agricultural space. To address habitat loss, this thesis
argues a design approach to connect the existing fragmented habitat
is required. These connections are established through ecocorridors,
natural spaces which link existing habitats. A specific site in the rural
land to the west of London, Ontario is selected to develop a strategy for
reforesting. A site approach developed from the natural forest succession
of deciduous forests is established to guide the growth of corridors
and architectural interventions. A forest center as well as a number of
small-scale interventions seek to support the programmatic needs of
reforesting while also integrating themselves into the forest, acting as
supports for the wildlife. This thesis seeks to develop a site strategy
supported by an architectural intervention which connects fragmented
habitat and discovers new strategies to support wildlife habitation with
architecture.