Therapy for Seniors to Help Cope with Difficult Life Changes
Therapy with Seniors uses the same principles as that with younger people, namely, the attempt to put one’s years of experience into perspective, allowing people to tell their story the way they want to tell it. People need a safe person and place to talk about their issues, whether it is painful, sad, or humorous. People, no matter what age, want to understand themselves better, feel feelings, and have good relationships with their family and friends. Being “down in the dumps” over a period of time is not a normal part of growing old, but it is a common problem. Therapy can help ease the pain of depression. You do not need to suffer.
Our psychologists and therapists work with Seniors in helping them with the difficult changes in life, such as the death of a spouse, medical problems that can lead to depression, assistance with relationship issues for those with a spouse, help dealing with their adult children and families, and anxiety and many other situations and issues. We can be helpful in working through stressful life changes, healing from losses, processing difficult emotions, and developing better coping skills. Most of the patients we’ve worked with have developed better relationships with family, made new friends, and feel better about themselves overall, even when the work together has been quite difficult. Their depression has decreased and they feel more of a sense of satisfaction.
Treatment Options for Depression in Seniors
Depression treatment is just as effective for senior adults as it is for younger people. Studies have found that therapy works just as well as medication in relieving mild to moderate depression. And unlike antidepressants, therapy also addresses the underlying causes of the depression.
- Supportive therapy can include family and support systems. It can help ease loneliness and the hopelessness of depression.
- Psychotherapy helps people work through stressful life changes, heal from losses, and process difficult emotions.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change negative thinking patterns, deal with problems in healthy ways, and develop better coping skills.
- Support groups for depression, illness, or bereavement connect people with others who are going through the same challenges. They are a safe place to share experiences, advice and encouragement.
