Psychotherapy and Counseling with Older Adults

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. [Elective for Gerontology Certificate Program]

Fee: $60.00
Continuing Ed. Hours (CEH): 3.00 Clinical, Social/Cultural

Class Unavailable

Instructor: Stephen Sidorsky, LCSW Date: Tuesday, January 24, 2023 Time: 9:30 am - 12:30 pm ET Location: Zoom (Interactive Webinar) Class Unavailable

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 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

9:30 am Welcome/Introduction

9:35 am Presentation
• A model for successful aging
• Identify the overt and hidden stereotypes that that interfere with therapeutic change in older adults
• Application of Erikson’s stage model in understanding psychosocial issues of older adults
• Developmental tasks and challenges in later life
• Strengths that can be specific for seniors
• Cognitive and related biological factors
• Therapy with older adults as based upon:
- Context
- Cohort
- Maturation
- Specific Challenges

10:35 am Presentation Continues
• Transference and countertransference issues
• Other psychodynamic issues between therapist and the older adult client
• Interventions and techniques
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Interpersonal/psychodynamic therapy
- Life review/reminiscence techniques
- Group therapies
- Use of medications
- Forms of resistence and how to address them

Case examples and studies as well as some individual and group exercises will be used throughout the day to illustrate issues, techniques, and interventions.

12:20 pm Conclusion/Q&A

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.