Fiona Ann Papps
I am an associate professor in Psychological Sciences at the Australian College of Applied Psychology. My research interests include representations of body and sexuality in the popular media, and qualitative and quantitative research methods. I am also completing a second BA, majoring in English Literature and Latin, and minoring in Ancient Greek. In addition to a PhD and BA(Hons) in Psychology, I also hold a Diploma of Applied Science in Western Herbal Medicine.
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Conference Presentations
Keywords: perfectionism, mindfulness-based self-efficacy, distress, procrastination, undergraduate students
Keywords: Therapeutic Presence, Hakomi Therapy, therapist personhood
Keywords: integrative psychology practice, CATs, qualitative research
Publications
Although Complementary and Alternative Therapies (CATs) are currently incorporated into psychotherapy, scepticism remains among professional and practicing psychologists about integration of CATs into professional practice. This research explored perceived benefits and barriers to integrating CATs into psychology practice with individual clients.
Materials and methods
We used a qualitative framework informed by Transpersonal Psychology to explore benefits and barriers to integrative psychology practice. We conducted semi-structured interviews with six practitioners trained or training in psychology and CATs and analysed verbatim transcripts using thematic analysis.
Results
Participants reported personal, career-based, and epistemological benefits and barriers to integrative psychology practice. Benefits were improved therapeutic relationships, specialisation options, and a time reflective psychology. Barriers included stigma and bias, regulations, and dominance of the scientist-practitioner model. Superordinate themes were holism, connectedness, and governance.
Conclusion
Results activate conversation about the importance of a transpersonally oriented integrative psychological practice for the 21st century.
Research needs to take a sex positive approach to the development of sexual health, with sexual intimacy, orientation, and eroticism understood as central to well-being. Embodiment is central to this project. This qualitative study explores how regular embodied practice might encourage the development of sexual potential.
Materials and methods
Four women who engaged in a regular embodied practice (e.g., yoga) participated in semi-structured interviews. Verbatim transcripts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological framework.
Results
Three superordinate themes were identified that captured the participants’ journey toward the development of sexual potential: Other-validated Sexuality, Embodiment Practice, and Self-validated Sexuality.
Conclusion
Engagement in regular embodied practice encouraged the development of sexual potential in this sample of women by shifting focus from sexuality as experienced from the perspective of the other to the lived experience of sexuality as connected to their bodily states and enabling integration of the spirit and flesh.
Keywords: differentiation of self, embodiment, sex positivity, sexual potential, sexual subjectivity
Books
Keywords: perfectionism, mindfulness-based self-efficacy, distress, procrastination, undergraduate students
Keywords: Therapeutic Presence, Hakomi Therapy, therapist personhood
Keywords: integrative psychology practice, CATs, qualitative research
Although Complementary and Alternative Therapies (CATs) are currently incorporated into psychotherapy, scepticism remains among professional and practicing psychologists about integration of CATs into professional practice. This research explored perceived benefits and barriers to integrating CATs into psychology practice with individual clients.
Materials and methods
We used a qualitative framework informed by Transpersonal Psychology to explore benefits and barriers to integrative psychology practice. We conducted semi-structured interviews with six practitioners trained or training in psychology and CATs and analysed verbatim transcripts using thematic analysis.
Results
Participants reported personal, career-based, and epistemological benefits and barriers to integrative psychology practice. Benefits were improved therapeutic relationships, specialisation options, and a time reflective psychology. Barriers included stigma and bias, regulations, and dominance of the scientist-practitioner model. Superordinate themes were holism, connectedness, and governance.
Conclusion
Results activate conversation about the importance of a transpersonally oriented integrative psychological practice for the 21st century.
Research needs to take a sex positive approach to the development of sexual health, with sexual intimacy, orientation, and eroticism understood as central to well-being. Embodiment is central to this project. This qualitative study explores how regular embodied practice might encourage the development of sexual potential.
Materials and methods
Four women who engaged in a regular embodied practice (e.g., yoga) participated in semi-structured interviews. Verbatim transcripts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological framework.
Results
Three superordinate themes were identified that captured the participants’ journey toward the development of sexual potential: Other-validated Sexuality, Embodiment Practice, and Self-validated Sexuality.
Conclusion
Engagement in regular embodied practice encouraged the development of sexual potential in this sample of women by shifting focus from sexuality as experienced from the perspective of the other to the lived experience of sexuality as connected to their bodily states and enabling integration of the spirit and flesh.
Keywords: differentiation of self, embodiment, sex positivity, sexual potential, sexual subjectivity