64th Annual Conference

Thursday, March 8

Afternoon Workshops

2:45-6:00 P.M.

Workshop 35

Group Psychotherapy Experience with Seniors: Different Therapeutic Changes at Different Age Levels

Chairs:

Beryce MacLennan, Ph.D., CGP, DFAGPA, Private Practice, Bethesda, Maryland

Hindy Nobler, M.S.W., Ph.D., CGP, FAGPA, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California

Younger elderly are frequently faced with major changes in their lives. Older seniors in or out of residential settings often feel lonely and isolated. All seniors may face loss, disability or the possibility of death. This workshop will discuss and demonstrate the differences in groups and the difference in therapist experience depending on the age level.
didactic, sharing of work experiences, experiential, demonstration,

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:
1. Compare different approaches with group therapy for seniors.

2. Contrast differences in problems experienced by seniors of different ages.

3. Learn how to establish groups in different settings.

4. Examine therapists reaction to leading senior therapy groups.

Course References:  

1. Leszcz, M. (1997). Integrated Group Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Depression in the Elderly. Group.

2. MacLennan, Beryce, Saul, Shera and Weiner, M. "Group Psychotherapy for the Elderly." International University Press, 1988.

3. Nobler, H., (1992). Its Never Too Late to Change: A Group Psychotherapy Experience for Older Woman. Group. 16(3), New York: Brunner/Mazel, Inc.

4. Nobler H.  It's Never Too Late to Change: Group psychotherapy experiences with senior adults. Clinical Update. California Society for Clinical Social Work. January 2006.

5. Saiger, G., (2001). Group Psychotherapy with Older Adults. Psychiatry. 64(2).