Older Adult Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy in Later Life
Research suggests that most people live active, healthy, and satisfying lives through their later years. It is also true that when older adults do experience emotional or psychological difficulties, those problems and the strategies for addressing them are not fundamentally different from the problems and strategies that exist for people in earlier stages of life.
But it is also true that certain developmental challenges and physical realities unique to later life can lead to depression, anxiety, substance abuse, or other forms of emotional distress. While what generally works in psychotherapy is no different for older adults than for younger people, it can be important to work with a therapist who is knowledgeable about the unique realities of later life. Psychological problems such as depression in older adults are often woven together with a range of medical, social, or cognitive challenges that need to be carefully assessed and understood in order to decide on the most effective approach to treatment. When struggles arise, it can be important to work with a provider who is able to tailor the psychotherapy process to best meet the unique needs often present for older adults.
Geriatrics Background and Experience
I have been a practicing clinician, educator, and social services administrator in geriatric mental health for the past 12 years. This includes professional work experience with the UCSF Department of Psychiatry – Over Sixty Program, and nearly a decade of leadership experience at the Institute on Aging (IOA) in San Francisco. As Director of Mental Health Programs at IOA, My duties included direct work with clients, training and supervision of student therapists, the leadership of several large behavioral health programs serving older and disabled adults, and clinical consultation to IOA care management and day program staff. I am delighted at this point in my career to bring this wealth of experience into my current exclusive focus on work with individual clients in private practice. The depth and breadth of my experience in geriatric mental health have allowed me to develop competency across multiple areas crucial to providing effective care. These include:
- Assessment of the physical, developmental, and psychological factors that may be contributing to problems in later life.
- Delivery of evidence-based interventions proven to be effective in treating older adult depression, anxiety, and other emotional difficulties.
- Collaborative teamwork with other providers such as physicians, case managers, and home health aides when required.
- Broad knowledge of the system of care for older adults in San Francisco.
Services Provided
- Individual Psychotherapy.
- Counseling to address caregiver stress and burnout.
- Consultation for families managing issues with aging.
Services Not Provided in My Practice
My practice is focused primarily on individual psychotherapy work and family consultations. I do not provide formal neuropsychological evaluation or professional case management services. However, given my many years of work within the broader older adult system of care in San Francisco, I am able to carefully evaluate needs and provide excellent referrals and follow-up guidance around these and other geriatric services when the need arises.
Some Common Myths About Older Adult Mental Health
Unfortunately, it is still somewhat common in our society for people, including even some health professionals and older adults themselves, to attribute symptoms of later life depression or anxiety to simply “being old.” In other words, “You're old, of course, you are depressed…” or “I’m old, of course, I am worried all the time.” This attitude can prevent older adults from seeking out or receiving the help they need and deserve. In reality, depression, anxiety, and other forms of psychological distress are not normal parts of aging. Rather, they are highly treatable problems. When problems arise, older adults can expect to experience the very same benefits from psychotherapy or psychiatric intervention as can anyone of any age.
Another common myth is that older people do not continue to learn and experience self-growth with the same vibrancy they may have experienced in earlier stages of life. This false belief can lead to the conclusion that it is not “worth it” for older adults to invest time in psychotherapy. Based on my extensive experience in geriatric mental health, I do not see older age as a factor in limiting one’s ability to experience emotional growth, increase self-awareness, or forge helpful meaning from experience. Older adults are no different than others in their capacity to utilize psychotherapy or other self-development practices to gain a clearer perspective on themselves and their life situation. Furthermore, there are many benefits that can come from continued self-growth and self-examination for those in their later years of life. These include improved relationships with friends and family, greater connectedness with others, greater acceptance of inevitable existential fears and limitations, and increased hopefulness –all of which can lead to improved overall functioning and quality of life.