Laura Armstrong
Profile
Dr. Laura Armstrong is an Associate Professor, Clinical Psychologist, and researcher in the School of Counselling, Psychotherapy, and Spirituality at Saint Paul University. She also holds Diplomate Clinician certification in Logotherapy from the Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy. She has developed a national SSHRC-funded mental health promotion program for school children called D.R.E.A.M. (Developing Resilience through Emotions, Attitudes, & Meaning): https://soundofthemuse.com/magic-mirror/. This program has been developed for school children in general and adapted for gifted and bright children to address the unique emotional, sensory, imaginational, and social challenges they sometimes face, which can act as barriers to academic success and well-being. Our Child Meaning and Resilience Laboratory studies the Second Wave Positive Psychology theoretical framework for this program, called R.E.A.L.: Rational-Emotive, Attachment, Logotherapy. In addition to teaching and research, Dr. Armstrong delivers invited public presentations on child and family mental health, and she works clinically with children, youth, adults, couples, and families. Dr. Armstrong works clinically with children, adolescents, families, couples, and adults.
- Positive psychology
- Psychotherapy
- Mental health
Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, University of Ottawa (2013) – dissertation nominated for Governor General’s Gold Medal
Honours Baccalaureate of Arts in Psychology, University of Ottawa (2004) – Governor General’s medal recipient; Chancellor’s scholar
Member of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Child Meaning and Resilience Laboratory
Our laboratory studies a Second Wave Positive Psychology approach called Rational-Emotive Attachment Logotherapy (REAL). We have a SSHRC-funded school-based mental health promotion program for children grounded in this approach: https://soundofthemuse.com/magic-mirror/
SSHRC Insight Development Grant
$64000
2018-2020
Papers in refereed Journals:
- Parrot, J., Armstrong, L.L., Watt, E., Fabes, R., & Timlin, R. (2021). Building resilience during COVID-19: Recommendations for adapting the DREAM program – live edition to an online-live hybrid model for in-person and virtual classrooms. Frontiers in Psychology, Educational Psychology, Online first. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.647420
- Armstrong, L.L., Watt, E., St. John, E., & Desson, S. (2020). The Interactive Symptoms Assessment: I.S.A. – Development and Validation Using a Knowledge Translation-Integrated Model. Current Psychology, Online first. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020-00801-5
- Armstrong, L.L., Watt, E., St. John, E., & Desson, S. (2019). The Child Identity and Purpose Questionnaire – Interactive: Development and Validation of the Revised, Video-Based Version. The Humanistic Psychologist, Online first, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/hum0000147
- Armstrong, L.L., Desson, S., St. John, E., & Watt, E. (2018). The D.R.E.A.M. Program: Developing Resilience through Emotions, Attitudes, & Meaning (Gifted Edition) – A Second Wave Positive Psychology Approach. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, Online first. Doi: 10.1080/09515070.2018.1559798
- Armstrong, L.L., Desson, S., St. John, E., & Watt, E. (2018). The D.R.E.A.M. Program: Developing Resilience through Emotions, Attitudes, & Meaning (Gifted Edition) – A Second Wave Positive Psychology Approach. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, DOI: 10.1080/09515070.2018.1559798
- Armstrong, L.L. (2018). The D.R.E.A.M. Program: Developing Resilience through Emotions, Attitudes, & Meaning — Program Development & Evaluation through a Knowledge Translation-Integrated Approach. Spirituality & Counselling, special edition (Positive Psychology), 36, 93-120. DOI: 2143/CS.36.1.0000000
- Sigg, C., & Armstrong, L.L. (2018). Swallowing the ‘Givens’ of Existence: How Second Wave Positive Psychology Can Contribute to Psychotherapy for Eating Disorder Treatment, 36, 145-168. Spirituality & Counselling, special edition (Positive Psychology). DOI: 10.2143/CS.36.1.0000000
- Yagi, I., & Armstrong, L.L. (2018). Meaning-Based Interventions for Addressing End-of-Life Coping. Spirituality & Counselling, special edition (Positive Psychology), 36.
- Armstrong, L.L. (2016). The Child Identity & Purpose (Ch.I.P.) Questionnaire: Pilot assessment and development. The International Forum for Logotherapy, 39, 78-88.
- Armstrong, L.L.(2016). R.E.A.L. Therapy: Rational-Emotive Attachment-based Logotherapy for Families. The Family Journal. DOI: 10.1177/1066480716628626
- Armstrong, L.L. & Young, K.(2015). Mind the Gap: Person-Centred Delivery of Mental Health Information to Post-Secondary Students. Psychosocial Intervention 10.1016/j.psi.2015.05.002. 24(2): 83-87.
- Armstrong, L.L. & Manion, I.G.(2015). Predictors of Rural & Urban Youth Suicidal Ideation by Gender: A Case for Targeted Prevention. Vulnerable Children & Youth Studies. doi:10.1080/17450128.2015.1046535. Published online.
- Armstrong L.L. & Manion, I.G. (2015). Meaningful Youth Engagement as a Protective Factor for Youth Suicidal Ideation. Journal of Research on Adolescence DOI: 10.1111/jora.12098. 25: 20-27.
- Armstrong, L.L. (2012). Initial development and validation of the Checklist of Risk Behaviours for Youth (CORBY). Psychology, Health & Medicine, 17, 116-124.
- Armstrong, L.L. (2009). A utilization-focused approach to evaluating a youth friendly mental health program: The Youth Net/Réseau Ado story. Vulnerable Children & Youth Studies, 4, 361-369.
- Armstrong, L.L. & Manion, I.G. (2006). Suicidal ideation in young males living in rural communities: Living distance from school as a risk factor, youth engagement as a protective factor. Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies, 1, 102-113.
- Armstrong, L.L. (2006). Barriers to intimate sexuality: Concerns and meaning-based therapy approaches. The Humanistic Psychologist, 34, 281-298.
Books Authored
- Armstrong, L.L. (2021). How to Have Fun While Promoting Mental Health Virtually: Games & Activities for Online Psychotherapy & Classrooms. KDP Publishers, Ottawa.
- Armstrong, L.L. (2020). The Worry Wind. Illustrated by Marieke Douma. KDP Publishers, Ottawa.
- Armstrong, L.L. (2020). Vent de l’inquietude. Illustrated by Marieke Douma. KDP Publishers, Ottawa.
Books Edited
- Mothers, Addiction and Recovery. Peterson, W., Armstrong, L.L., & Foulkes, M. (2018), Demeter Press, Canada
- Existential Elements of the Family. Conflicts, Ethics & Spirituality Series. Armstrong, L.L. (2018), Peeters Publishers, Belgium
Book Chapters
- Armstrong, L.L. (in press). The Unique Social, Emotional, & Behavioural Needs of Gifted Children & Arts-Based Therapy Strategies to Address these Needs. Rovers, M. Creative Art Therapies.
- Bellehumeur, C., Armstrong, L.L., & Bilodeau, C. (in press). Gilbert Durand’s model of the imaginary and Second Wave Positive Psychology proposed as theoretical frameworks for enhancing arts-based psychotherapy for traumatized clients. Rovers, M. Creative Art Therapies.
- Bellehumeur, C., Armstrong, L.L., & Kam, C. (in press). The Archetypal Test with nine elements (AT.9) as a projective tool in the context of art psychotherapies with alexithymic clients. Rovers, M. Creative Art Therapies.
- Armstrong, L.L. (2018). R.E.A.L. Tools for Everyday Parenting: A Rational-Emotive Attachment-based Logotherapy Approach. Armstrong, L.L. Existential Elements of the Family. Peeters, Belgium.
- Armstrong, L.L., Elward, J., & Elward, C. (2018). Finding meaning: Fertility issues, miscarriage, and early infant loss. Armstrong, L.L. Existential Elements of the Family. Peeters, Belgium.
- Armstrong, L.L. (2018). Introduction to Existential Elements of the Family. Armstrong, L.L. Existential Elements of the Family. Peeters, Belgium.
- Armstrong, L.L. (2018). Conclusion to Existential Elements of the Family. Armstrong, L.L. Existential Elements of the Family. Peeters, Belgium.
- Watt, E., & Armstrong, L.L. (2018). Finding Meaning in Waiting: Challenges & Growth for Families on Psychotherapy Waiting Lists. Armstrong, L.L. Existential Elements of the Family. Peeters, Belgium.
- Armstrong, L.L. (2018). R.E.A.L. Education to Prevent Smartphone Addiction – A Rational-Emotive, Attachment Logotherapy Approach for Expectant Mothers. Mothers, Addiction and Recovery. Peterson, W., Armstrong, L.L., & Foulkes, M. (Eds.). Demeter Press, Canada.
- Peterson, W., Armstrong, L.L., & Foulkes, M. (2018). Introduction, Mothering with Addiction and Finding Meaning. Mothers, Addiction and Recovery: Finding Meaning through the Journey. Demeter Press, Canada.
- Peterson, W., Armstrong, L.L., & Foulkes, M. (2018). Conclusion, Mothering with Addiction and Finding Meaning. Mothers, Addiction and Recovery: Finding Meaning through the Journey. Demeter Press, Canada.
- Sigg, C., & Armstrong, L.L. (2018). Confronting the Addictive Nature of Eating Disorder Behaviours: How Mothers Can Provide Meaningful Support to Daughters with Eating Disorders through a Meaning-Centered Framework. Mothers, Addiction & Recovery: Finding Meaning in the Journey. Demeter Press, Canada.
- Armstrong, L.L. (accepted). Building the D.R.E.A.M.: Developing Resilience through Emotions, Attitudes and Meaning, a Mental Health Promotion Approach. Bellehumeur, C. & Malette, J. (Eds.) Positive Psychology and Spirituality: Healing through Pleasure. Peeters, Belgium.
- Sigg, C., & Armstrong, L.L. (accepted). Swallowing the ‘Givens’ of Existence: How Second Wave Positive Psychology Can Contribute to Psychotherapy for Eating Disorder Treatment. Bellehumeur, C. & Malette, J. (Eds.) Positive Psychology and Spirituality: Healing through Pleasure. Peeters, Belgium.
- Yagi, I., & Armstrong, L.L. (accepted). Meaning-Based Interventions for Addressing End-of-Life Coping. Bellehumeur, C. & Malette, J. (Eds.) Positive Psychology and Spirituality: Healing through Pleasure. Peeters, Belgium.