Chapter 9: Psychotherapy with Older Adults

Therapy with and supervision of therapy with older adults is considered emphasizing five important issues. These issues include: developmental history, impact of losses, interaction of physical and psychological factors, preservation of identity, and the special valence of older adults as patients. Recommendations are made about ways therapists need to prepare themselves to engage and help this unique population. Examples are given. Good supervision of and therapy with seniors demands an appreciation of the continuity of identity, the discontinuity from losses, the evolution of themes, dreams, and seasons, and the elegant possibilities of wisdom and integrity.