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

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.