<p> This liberation-psychology study included several years&rsquo; immersion in the Tibetan refugee community in Dharamsala, India, where I offered Somatic Experiencing-informed (SE) sessions to exprisoner refugees. During the course of conversations with refugees, this study shifted from an investigation of SE as a trauma-healing intervention to a cross-cultural dialogical approach to the healing of the psychological and physical sequelae of forced displacement, imprisonment, and torture of Tibetan expolitical prisoners. Tibetan refugee expolitical prisoners living in Dharamsala, India, were asked to describe their emotional and somatic sequelae, as well as the alleviated factors and conditions of these sequelae, which stemmed from experiences of political incarceration, loss of homeland, torture, and escape. Purposeful sampling was employed, and 17 participants were observed in a 2-day Freirean-inspired dialogic workshop participant observations in which sequelae and processes of amelioration and responses to the Western SE therapy were identified and recorded. Also, 12 participants were interviewed on their experiences and perceptions of the workshop; 9 of whom volunteered for SE sessions. Data were analyzed by thematic content analysis. </p><p> Major findings on emotional distress included loneliness due to separation from friends and families, helplessness to assist other Tibetans, and distress of &ldquo;non-being&rdquo; brought on by occupation, displacement, and unofficial refugee status. Physical sequelae were digestive problems, difficulty breathing, pain and tightness, dizziness, weakness, and fatigue. A Buddhist approach was distinguished as a dependable route to mental health and Tibetan Buddhist methods were highlighted as unique in achieving lasting well-being. Community interdependence and preservation of Tibetan Buddhist culture were preferred over individualized approaches to trauma healing. Implications include a potential shift in international trauma fieldwork to a cross-cultural psychological approach.</p><p>

abstract: A growing body of research indicates that people of multiple racial lineages in the US encounter challenges to positive psychological adjustment because of their racial status. In response, they also exhibit unique resilience strategies to combat these challenges. In this study, the moderating roles of previously identified multiracial resilient factors (i.e., shifting expressions, creating third space, and multiracial pride) were examined in the associations between unique multiracial risk factors (i.e., multiracial discrimination, perceived racial ambiguity, and lack of family acceptance) and psychological adjustment (i.e., satisfaction with life, social connectedness, and distress symptoms) of multiracial adults. Drawing on risk and resilience theory, results first indicated that the multiracial risk factors (i.e., multiracial discrimination, perceived racial ambiguity, and lack of family acceptance) relate negatively with social connectedness and distress symptoms, but did not significantly relate with satisfaction with life. Additionally, a differential moderating effect for one multiracial resilient factor was found, such that the protective or exacerbative role of creating third space depends on the psychological outcome. Specifically, results suggest creating third space buffers (e.g., weakens) the association between multiracial discrimination and satisfaction with life as well as lack of family acceptance and satisfaction with life among multiracial adults. Results further suggest creating third space exacerbates (e.g., strengthens) the negative association between perceived racial ambiguity on social connectedness and distress symptoms as well as lack of family acceptance on social connectedness and distress symptoms. Moreover, no two-way interaction effects were found for either of the other multiracial resilient factors (i.e., shifting expressions and multiracial pride). This study highlights the complex nature of racial identity for multiracial people, and the nuanced risk and resilience landscape encountered in the US. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Counseling 2018

abstract: This study addressed the questions: What is the experience of mindfulness by yoga masters? How can such experiences inform the counseling intervention of mindfulness? In a qualitative study, individuals who held the minimum credentials E-RYT 200 (i.e., Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher 200 Hour) were interviewed. The verbatim interviews were analyzed using the phenomenological approach. Two categories of themes emerged describing mindfulness as a state of being and a practice of awareness. The common themes describing mindfulness as a state of being include: conscious awareness, feeling bliss, the present moment, interconnectedness, and compassionate evolution. The common themes describing mindfulness as a practice of awareness include: waking the body, balanced practice, the power of pranayama, refining abilities, obstacles to awareness, a holistic practice, and external supports. The results of this study suggest that mindfulness is multifaceted and ephemeral; however, with regular practice it becomes more consistently maintained. As a practice of awareness, mindfulness develops through a hierarchy of techniques moving from the external to the internal including both self and other. Discussion focuses on how these experiences can be applied in counseling interventions. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.C. Counseling 2012

<p> Culture and social norms influence sex roles and expression, according to previous studies. This leads to the research question of whether there a difference in sex-role characteristics and generational category among cisgender American adults from Generation X, Generation Y, and Generation Z. A gap in the research about sex-role evolution in generational and cultural shifts provided an open opportunity for this investigation to strengthen the literature. Data collection without making any changes or introducing any treatments was employed, via quantitative non-experimental means, using survey methodology. The population consisted of cisgender American adults from Generation X, Generation Y, and Generation Z. SurveyMonkey Audience was used to sample the population, through participant inclusion criteria outlined as being aged 18 to 50 years, a U.S. citizen, and identifying as cisgender, and able to read and understand English. The self-perceived sex-role characteristics of three generational groups (Generations X, Y, &amp; Z) were analyzed, employing a quantitative non-experimental design to determine whether there was a statistically significant difference between group means. Results concluded that a statistically significant difference was found for the interaction of generation and self-identified sex for both masculinity and femininity. Continuing research in this area will ensure that extending the body of knowledge of evolutionary psychology will enable the social support systems to allow for more flexibility in relation to socially dictated norms. Additionally, governing bodies, mental health workers, and medical professionals would benefit from more thorough and sensitive gender identity training.</p><p>

<p> Adolescent boys without strong and healthy male role modeling are more likely to act out, dropout, and be behavior referrals at school. A literature review revealed that fatherless (physically or emotionally) boys are two times more likely to drop out of school, which leads to greater opportunities to participate in antisocial behaviors. Identification of this knowledge gap revealed a potential solution as to what adolescent boys are going to receive, and the process designed to meet those missing developmental needs. The research question that was asked and answered: Is there a statistically significant difference in behavior between adolescent boys who attend a 10-week counselor-facilitated group, and adolescent boys that do not attend the adolescent boys&rsquo; group? The introduction of a rite of passage program using an operational model based on psychosocial theory and bioecological theory of human development provides an avenue to redirect fatherless adolescent boys toward healthy emotional adulthood and stay in school. The problem statement outlined Erikson&rsquo;s and Bronfenbrenner&rsquo;s theories of development and offered the pedagogy in the form of a rite of passage to address the healthy developmental needs of adolescent boys. The intervention group and the untreated group had 50 participants. A paired sample t test analyzed the data to determine if there is a difference in the variable before and after treatment comparing all subjects on five different variables. This result showed that boys&rsquo; behavior on average was better after attending the 10-week program. The untreated group effect was significant in a negative direction during the 10 weeks without treatment reflected in the after scores of each dependent variable. The meaningful change in higher scores indicated the effect on boys&rsquo; behavior in school getting worse. Future research could include studying a larger group of boys from a more diversified population and to continue collecting data for a longer time to study staying power of the changes.</p><p>

<p> The research question in this thesis asks: Can the archetype of the crone be deliberately utilized as a means to individuation in a woman&rsquo;s life after leaving Mormonism (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)? Employing both a hermeneutical and heuristic methodology, the investigation encompasses the archetype of the crone, her history, and her appearance in myth, metaphor, and stories as well as the crone&rsquo;s reemergence in modern culture. Patriarchy within the Church, gender roles defined by Mormon leadership, and gender inequality within the Church structure are reported. The use of fear, guilt, and shame by Mormon leadership to gain control over members of the Church is scrutinized. The author&rsquo;s personal story as a child of Mormonism, her life within the religion, her marriage and motherhood, her eventual exit from the Mormon Church, and her use of the crone to empower herself to develop an identity post-Mormonism are presented.</p><p>

<p> Researchers and theorists have generally included drag queens and transgender (trans*) populations together in their scholarship, and have paid little attention to how these populations may differ. Such sampling practices may lead to a variety of misleading assumptions about both drag and transgender populations. For one thing, researchers have pointed to higher rates of gender dysphoria and depression among trans* individuals, but the same may not be the case among drag queens. In order to add greater clarity to similarities and differences between these populations, a gender dysphoria questionnaire, depression inventory, and work involvement inventory were administered to a sample of gay and bisexual, cisgender male drag queens. Descriptive statistics from these measures represent the first step toward establishing rates of depression and gender dysphoria among drag queens. Mean comparisons of rates of depression and gender dysphoria between gay/bisexual male cisgender drag queens and male-to-female transgender persons indicate significant differences between these populations. When level of involvement in drag was considered, a small positive correlation was found with depression while a small negative correlation was found with gender dysphoria. Results indicate that drag queens are less depressed and experience considerably less gender dysphoria than transgender individuals. Furthermore, gender dysphoria may decrease as involvement in drag performance increases. This data may add clarity to research on gender diversity, support efforts to de-pathologize drag performance, and reduce stigma associated with drag in general. Implications for future research and for mental health treatment are discussed.</p><p>

<p> The anima and animus are central concepts in Jungian psychology and play important roles in individuation, gender identity and presentation, and the experience and development of love and relationships. Although they are important concepts, the anima and animus (collectively called the syzygy) are limited in their capability to describe the psyche of many individuals who do not meet expectations set in place by current hegemonic normativity. Rather, the Jungian concept of the syzygy reflects a structured archetypal pattern that has emerged from a crystallization of archetypal constellations. This thesis uses hermeneutics to examine how emerging relationship configurations and dynamics in polyamorous relationships reflect and contribute to emergent archetypal patterns and dynamics. In doing so, this thesis suggests a reconceptualization of the syzygy drawing on concepts from polytheistic psychology, archetypal emergence, and other sources of knowledge.</p><p>

<p> This thesis is an alchemical hermeneutic exploration of shame from the depth psychological perspective of a complex. Literature is reviewed related to a definition of the shame complex and understanding its etiology and phenomenological and psychological effects. Through a depth psychological analysis of the author&rsquo;s personal experience, which includes developing and living with a shame complex, the path toward healing shame is realized as the ability to find the courage to uncover and disclose a personal narrative in the presence of an empathetic analyst, who had the competence to contain and bear witness to his client&rsquo;s story. For the author, this courageous act has allowed a transformative journey from living with the dehumanizing, toxic effects of shame to realizing a healthy, integrated, humanizing, and enriched quality of life.</p><p>

<p> As consciousness develops out of the unconscious, according to Jungian analyst Erich Neumann, it passes through necessary phases, both in the individual and on the collective level. Part of this process is demonizing that which was formerly unconscious, represented in myth and dreams as the archetypal Terrible Mother. In Mexico and the American Southwest, mythological representations of this archetype appear in the ghost story of La Llorona and the mythic historical figure of La Malinche. These myths are examined to show the emergence of consciousness of personal and systemic oppression. The tension that arises from this new level of consciousness gives way to what Carl G. Jung termed the transcendent function, a new paradigm of cultural consciousness beyond oppressor and oppressed. Using hermeneutic methodology, this research additionally explores the transcendent function and active imagination along with liberation psychology&rsquo;s notion of liberation arts to facilitate healing from personal and systemic oppression.</p><p>