66th Annual Conference

Saturday, February 21

Early Morning Colloquies

Colloquy 9

Psychotherapy Groups for the More Cognitively Intact Nursing Home Resident

Presenter:

Kenneth Martin Schwartz, MD, FRCPC, Staff Psychiatrist, Baycrest, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Groups designed for more cognitively intact residents provide an opportunity to share their feelings about the difficulties of adapting to declining health and institutional living. An integrated psychotherapy model incorporating developmental, cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic approaches is described. Co-therapy, technical, countertransference challenges and clinical material illustrating common themes are discussed.

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1. Describe how nursing homes are not presently meeting the psychological needs of its more cognitively intact residents.

2. Identify the reasons why group psychotherapy remains underutilized in the long-term care setting.

3. Apply knowledge of the model permitting them to consider starting their own groups.

Course References:

1. Schwartz, K. (2007). Remembering the forgotten: Psychotherapy groups for the nursing home resident. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 57(4), 497-514.

2. Ruckdeschel, H. (2000). Group psychotherapy in the nursing home. In V. Molianari (Ed.), Professional psychology in long-term care: A comprehensive guide (pp 113-131). New York, NY: Hatherleigh Press.

3. Ronch, J. L., & Crispi, E. L. (1977). Opportunities for development via group psychotherapy. Group, 21, 135-158.