Workshops

Psychotherapy and Counseling with Older Adults

ID: 1070WEB

This webinar will dispel the all-too-common assumption that psychotherapy and counseling are not effective treatment modalities with senior adults. Contrary to the belief that seniors are "inflexible and stuck in their ways" as well as having diminished cognitive and reflective capacity, studies indicate that they can benefit as much from these modalities as younger persons, albeit with some different approaches, techniques and goals. In this workshop we will consider the special strengths and challenges of senior adults, the place of their particular life cycle issues and how to understand and use transference, resistance, support and interpretation in working with this population. Many case examples and exercises will be offered. Participants are encouraged to bring cases (without identifying information) for discussion [Elective for Gerontology Certificate Program]


Fee: $60.00
Continuing Ed. Hours (CEH): 2.0 Clinical, 1.0 Social & Cultural Competence

Instructor: Stephen Sidorsky, LCSW
Date: Monday, March 10, 2025
Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm ET
Location: Live Interactive Online Webinar


Webinar Objectives

At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Apply to one's practice a model for "successful aging" in the psychological, physical and social dimensions of the older adult
  • Identify cultural (social, religious, ethnic) dimensions of older adult experience of aging and incorporate these into the counseling process
  • Identify the psychological and social task and challenges facing older adults that may require intervention
  • Identify and apply to practice the four dimensions that are considered in working with the older adult: context, cohort, maturation, and specific challenges
  • Identify and apply four evidence-based treatment modalities that are effective with older adults
  • Recognize transferential and counter transferential dynamic patterns that can affect the treatment relationship with older adults

    Webinar Outline

    10:00 am Welcome/Introductions

    10:05 am A Model for Successful Aging

  • Application of Erikson’s Stage Model to Understanding Psychosocial Issues of Older Adults
  • Cultural Dimensions of the Aging Experience

    10:35 am Developmental Tasks and Challenges
  • Strengths that can be Specific for Seniors
  • Cognitive/Biological Factors
  • Therapy based on Cohort, Context, Maturation, Specific Challenges
  • How Culture Affects these Tasks and Challenges

    11:05 am Psychodynamic Issues Between Therapist and Client
  • Transference/Countertransference

    12:00 pm Interventions and Techniques
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Interpersonal/psychodynamic Therapy
  • Life Review/Reminiscence
  • Group Therapies
  • Use of Medications

    12:15 Discussion of Cases/Conclusion

    Target Audience

    Social Workers and Allied Health Professionals

    Content Level

    Beginner - Advanced

    Webinar Completion Requirements

    To earn CE credit, social workers must log in at the scheduled time, attend the entire course and complete an online course evaluation. Certificates of completion will be emailed within 10 business days of course completion.

    System Requirements

    • Operating Systems: Windows XP or higher, MacOS 9 or higher, Android 4.0 or higher
    • Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 9.0 or higher, Google Chrome, Firefox 10.0 or higher
    • Broadband Internet connection: Cable, High-speed DSL & any other medium that is internet accessible.

    About the Instructor

    Stephen Sidorsky, LCSW, is a part-time lecturer at the Rutgers School of Social Work, where he teaches Clinical Social Work: Aging and Loss Across the Lifespan. In the Continuing Education Gerontology Program he teaches webinars on ethics, counseling with older adults, and economic policy and the elderly. He was previously the Director of the George Otlowski Center for Mental Health Care in Perth Amboy and at Jewish Family Services in Fair Lawn.

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