Risa Yamanaka

Santa Clara University, Counseling Psychology, Graduate Student

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This website is for me to showcase some of my research papers during my educational journey in the field of psychology and counseling psychology. I am an alumni of Santa Clara University's MA in Counseling Psychology program. I am currently an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist working on my clinical hours towards licensure to practice marriage and family therapy. I am interested in positive psychology, trauma-informed therapy, and art and expressive therapy. My hope is to apply the things I've learned towards my own self-growth and in turn, to be able to help others make positive changes in their lives.

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Shawn V Giammattei

Alliant International University

Gibran Rodriguez de los Reyes

University of Toronto

Rj Robles

Vanderbilt University

Patrick R Grzanka

University of Tennessee Knoxville

Elliott DeVore

University of Tennessee Knoxville

Keri Frantell

Luca Rollè

Università degli Studi di Torino

Markie L . C . Twist (she/they)

Antioch University New England

Y. Gavriel Ansara

University of Surrey

Damien Riggs

Flinders University of South Australia

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Papers by Risa Yamanaka

Approaches to Therapy for LGBT Couples

This is a graduate level paper that was a part of an assignment for a couple's counseling course.... more This is a graduate level paper that was a part of an assignment for a couple's counseling course. This paper introduces the history of LGBT treatment in mental health, specifically, couples therapy, various factors in couples therapy that influences couples work with LGBT clients, specific challenges and issues that come up in LGBT couples, and concluding findings from prior literature.

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Sleep and Dementia: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea and Alzheimer's Disease

This paper examines the potential link between disturbances in sleep cycles and onset of dementia... more

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Effects of War-Related Trauma and Stress on Refugee Families: Evidence of Growth and Resilience

The current global refugee crisis is receiving much media attention due to the astonishing number... more The current global refugee crisis is receiving much media attention due to the astonishing numbers of refugees being displaced across countries. This is an opportunity to look further into the consequences of war – one result being that many families are displaced from their homes and forced to migrate elsewhere for safety. This thesis hopes to answer some questions that pertain to what refugees experience during their time of living in their war-torn countries and resettlement and some factors that influence it. Studies reveal main themes that are commonly observed in refugee and immigrant families. Refugees are more vulnerable to developing PTSD due to the severe trauma they are exposed to. In addition, migrants and refugees both go through personal, cultural, and societal adversities after they’ve been relocated to a new country. Much of the qualitative data show that the effects of these challenges have been passed down within familial relationships. Despite facing many hardships, researchers in the field are looking into ways that can empower this vulnerable population to better cope with their stress and trauma. One of the potentially effective therapeutic practice may involve the concept of resilience and coping which is closely related to an individual’s trauma, personality traits and mentality. Preventions and treatment for refugees so far revolve around the integration of their original culture and tapping into their abilities to cope. However, this thesis also aims to cover some of the gaps within the refugee research including a lack of cultural specific assessment tools, the mixed results in various studies involving posttraumatic growth and effects of discrimination, and exclusion of unregistered refugees in sample demographics.

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Racism and Its Role in the Mental Health Care System

Racism still exists! It just has taken on a new form, a more subtle form, made up of two types: c... more Racism still exists! It just has taken on a new form, a more subtle form, made up of two types: covert and overt racism. With the help of the social media, this neo-racism against specific group of people are gaining spotlight in the public. Studies show that physical illnesses within the African American population is highest compared to other ethnic minorities because of high level of stress caused by exposure to racism. Many findings propelled the psychology field to implement diversity training among professionals but oftentimes, internalized racism occurs in the workplace. The popular "colorblind" approach debunks the notion that racism, in fact, can be a source of high stress among patients. Supervisor-supervisee relationships are affected due to supervisors not acknowledging the prior fact, which causes aspiring psychologists to practice mediocre mental healthcare or simply drop out of these programs. The National Center for Education Statistics (2011) reported that majority of any psychology degrees were given to white American students and U.S. Census Bureau’s data (2001) showed that the graduation rate for racial minorities were much lower than white students (APA, 2003). The institutionalized racism within the mental health care system benefits white majority with treatments and research that center around their needs while there is a clear lack of any benefits gained by targeted minorities. In order to balance the disparity, diversity studies and diversity training should be standard within the workplace.

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The Institutionalization and Oppression of People with Disabilities

People with disabilities are perhaps the largest and most expanding group of individuals in the U... more People with disabilities are perhaps the largest and most expanding group of individuals in the United States. Despite the fact, they are considered a minority and constantly struggle to succeed in society. Factors include negative stigma towards people with disabilities, lack of accommodation, discrimination, and insufficient education system. The Independent Living Center is the primary advocacy organization for people with disabilities in America, achieving many institutional changes to help persons with disabilities gain the same opportunities in life with those without disabilities. However, a history of their oppression is difficult to reverse and there is still a significant lack of awareness towards ablebodyism in the United States.

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Sociocultural Influences on the Development of Body Image in Adolescent Boys and Girls

A negative body image can damage the psyche and the physical health of adolescent girls and boys.... more A negative body image can damage the psyche and the physical health of adolescent girls and boys. Appearance schemas develop as a cognitive processor for images pertaining to how a person should look in society. Determinants that lead to negative appearance schemas include media messages, family and peers, and environment (external forces). Study showed that girls were more prone to develop diet strategies because of their weight. However, perception of what is considered “acceptable” or “normal” in appearances are different from culture to culture. On study suggests evidence that the Westernization of some cultures have changed the way some Asian counties perceive what is “attractive” for a woman. Strong roots in cultural identity can help prevent negative body image in adolescent boys and girls. Tongan and Fijian boys all showed high level of BMI but low level of body dissatisfaction, similar evidence can be found within black and Latino cultures. Early prevention of body dissatisfaction is the key to a healthy development of the mind for adolescent children.

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Approaches to Therapy for LGBT Couples

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Sleep and Dementia: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea and Alzheimer's Disease

This paper examines the potential link between disturbances in sleep cycles and onset of dementia... more

Download

Effects of War-Related Trauma and Stress on Refugee Families: Evidence of Growth and Resilience

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Racism and Its Role in the Mental Health Care System

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The Institutionalization and Oppression of People with Disabilities

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Sociocultural Influences on the Development of Body Image in Adolescent Boys and Girls

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Risa Yamanaka

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