Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Client-Centered Practice When Professional And Social Power Are Uncoupled: The Experiences Of Therapists From Marginalized Groups, Brenda L. Beagan, Kaitlin R. Sibbald, Tara M. Pride, Stephanie R. Bizzeth

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Client-centeredness is foundational to occupational therapy, yet virtually no research has examined this aspect of practice as experienced by therapists from marginalized groups. The discourse of client-centeredness implicitly assumes a “dominant-group” therapist. Professional power is assumed to be accompanied by social power and privilege. Here, we explore what happens when professional and social power are uncoupled.

Method: In-depth interviews grounded in critical phenomenology were conducted with Canadian therapists (n = 20) who self-identified as disabled, minority sexual/gender identity (LGBTQ+), racialized, ethnic minority, and/or from working-class backgrounds. Iterative thematic analysis employed constant comparison using ATLAS.ti for team coding. …

Belonging Amidst Bias: Embracing Difference On The Path To Common Humanity, Alyssia Sheikh

Mindfulness Studies Theses

The mindfulness community prioritizes self-awareness and common humanity, but is often entrapped by the idea that oneness is equivalent to sameness. This inclination for objectivity is rooted in the same neural propensities that facilitate bias; the brain is a subjective organ, however, and so neurologically speaking, bias is inevitable. This paper asks: Is striving for sameness separating us from interconnectedness? A human experience is a subjective, diverse, and variable one. The path to shared humanity and social justice co-occurs with increasing cultural humility through mindful awareness and acknowledging our subjective nature. Exploring our neurological tendency to make assumptions, we …

Exploring The Lived Experience Of Disabled Music Therapists: A Literature Review, Katherine Perakis

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Music therapy and the mental health field are publicly praised fields dedicated to helping those who are in need of services. Music therapy in particular is especially praised for the work that is done with people with disabilities. Although this work is extensive and important, there is an underlying tone of ableism that runs through the profession. This ableism points to the clients served, but also the therapists who are disabled themselves. This literature review examines the history of disability studies, disability statistics, disability competencies, as well as the lived experience of three different disabled therapists. Far more research is …

A Systemic Approach To Understanding Burnout Through The Lens Of The United States’ Professional Art Therapy (And Mental Health) Community: A Literature Review, Mary Welch

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Burnout among mental health counseling and art therapy professionals has long been an issue (Meyerson 1998; Prins et al., 2015; Yang & Hayes, 2020; Zeira 2021). While previous research into the causes and reduction of burnout have focused primarily on individual burnout, both in terms of psychology and workplace habits (Rollins et al. 2021), very few studies have been done examining the systemic, institutional, and cultural contributions to burnout in these professions. This paper aims to explore the connection between community standards and the current systems that intersect professional art therapy practice in the United States and the areas in …

Parent-Centered Planning: One Approach To Ending Ableism In The Child Welfare System, Gabrielle Heille, Bailey Mcnulty, Jessica Schisel, Bla Yang, Lauren Zappitello

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Parents with disabilities are disproportionately involved in the child welfare system. This is in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as the basic human rights of dignity and autonomy. Assessment tools and data collection systems currently utilized by the system fuel discrimination and provide inconsistent reporting. Minnesota needs to implement child welfare practices that center the goals of the parent, fully utilize informal and formal community supports, and make creative accommodations to reduce the number of children removed from their parents on the basis of ability. A lack of existing data indicates that more research is needed, …

Factors Influencing Attitudes Towards Assistance Animals, Anna R. Ledonne

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Service animals and emotional support animals are gaining a greater presence in many public spaces. The purpose of the following study is to explore attitudes towards service animals and emotional support animals in a more rigorous fashion than previous research and to explore possible predictors of people’s attitudes towards service animals and emotional support animals. Specifically, this study examined the following predictors: public and self-stigma against mental health, ableism, and attitudes towards pets or pet ownership. Data was collected utilizing an online survey distributed to an online general population sample (n = 105). A measure of attitudes towards service …

I’M Not A Tragedy: Speaking Up About Ableist Microaggressions, Kasandra Marguerite Colwell

Communication Senior Capstones

Have you heard of ableist microaggressions? Let me tell you about them, as someone who has experienced them. I have a bi-lateral dislocating knee condition that I was born with. I can walk, but sometimes I need additional stability or reduction of pain while getting around, in which case I tend to use a cane. I have had many othering interactions while using a mobility aid in public, whether that be a knee brace, a cane, or crutches. While it often seemed the stranger didn’t mean any harm, the question is how many invasive questions and comments from strangers can …