Navigating Later Life: Therapeutic Skills for Working with Older Adults

Older adults and their families represent a unique and often underserved population in therapy. This 2-hour continuing education webinar offers valuable insights for therapists looking to enhance their skills in working with older clients. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the common challenges faced by older adults and learn effective strategies for addressing these issues in therapy.

In this presentation, Gabrielle Juliano-Villani, LCSW will cover techniques for building rapport with older clients, adapting therapeutic approaches to suit their needs, and utilizing teletherapy to improve accessibility. She will review common health and mental health issues older adults face, including dementia, falls, and chronic health issues. She will also explore ways to involve family members and caregivers in the therapeutic process, discussing best practices for maintaining client confidentiality and autonomy while fostering a supportive care network. Join us to expand your expertise in geriatric therapy and better serve this important demographic.

This introductory continuing educaiton webinar is designed to help mental health professionals:

1. Describe how to utilize and encourage caregivers and families to integrate and support mental health services with older adults.
2. Conceptualize the intersection and prevalence of mental health disorders with older adults.
3. Define at least three therapeutic interventions and techniques to work with this population. 

Statement of program material's accuracy, utility, and risks: This program presents evidence-based approaches for working therapeutically with older adults, combining insights from gerontology, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness techniques, life review, experiential practices, and psychoeducation. The content is aligned with current best practices in geriatric mental health and adheres to ethical guidelines established by major psychological, social work, and counseling associations. The therapeutic strategies discussed are supported by a substantial body of research demonstrating their effectiveness and safety when applied appropriately to older adult populations. The program emphasizes the importance of cultural competence and individualized care, recognizing the diverse experiences and needs within the older adult demographic. While the interventions discussed are generally considered safe and beneficial, therapists should always use clinical judgment when applying these techniques, particularly with clients who have cognitive impairments or complex medical conditions. The program stresses the importance of collaboration with other healthcare providers when necessary to ensure comprehensive care. There are no known contraindications for applying these methods across diverse older adult populations when implemented by qualified mental health professionals. However, as with all therapeutic interventions, clinicians should remain vigilant for any adverse reactions and adjust their approach accordingly. This course material is designed to enhance therapists' skills in working with older adults, addressing common issues faced by this population, and involving family members and caregivers in the therapeutic process when appropriate. The strategies presented aim to improve therapeutic outcomes and quality of life for older adult clients.

Declaration identifying any potential conflict of interest and/or commercial support: No conflict of interest indicated.

If you have any questions or would like information regarding disability accommodations, please contact GoodTherapy here.

How the Web Conference Works

Before the scheduled event, all registered attendees will be sent a reminder email from GoodTherapy with specific instructions on how to log in to the webinar, as well as links to optional handout materials if applicable.

To attend the event, registered attendees will log in to the Microsoft Teams web conference center using a computer or device with internet access and/or call into the teleconference line on a phone. Attendees will be able to submit questions during the webinar via text chat in the Microsoft Teams web conference center and will be able to see the live streaming video and/or document sharing. 

At the conclusion of this event, participants will receive an email with information about how to request a CE certificate in your GoodTherapy Account. To confirm attendance, participants must enter the start code and end code announced at the beginning and end of the live presentation. Participants will also be prompted to complete an online survey evaluating the event. Participants will need to complete this online survey within six days after the event. Once completed, participants will be able to download a copy of their CE certificate right away by logging in to their GoodTherapy account.

For additional information about this event or our CE grievance procedures, please contact us here.

Continuing Education (CE) Information

2 CE contact hours will be provided by GoodTherapy for attending this web conference in its entirety. 

GoodTherapy is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements.

GoodTherapy.org, provider #1352, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 3/30/2022 – 3/30/2025. Social workers completing this course receive 2 continuing education credits.

GoodTherapy is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

GoodTherapy, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0395. GoodTherapy, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0022 and for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0031.

To receive CE credit hours for an archived event, you will need to complete a survey as well as a 12 or 15-question exam, verifying that you listened to or watched the event in its entirety. Archived CE events generally are considered "homestudy" by licensing boards.

Registration Information

Premium and Pro Membership with GoodTherapy includes access to this web conference at no additional cost, as well as other member benefits such as a profile listing in GoodTherapy's Therapist Directory. Not yet a member? Sign up for a Premium or Pro Membership, here.

Just want CE credits? Sign up for a monthly or annual CE Subscription with GoodTherapy to get unlimited access to our CE Program, including this event, other live CE web conferences, and hundreds of hours of homestudy courses.

Mental health professionals who are not members can attend this live web conference for $30.95 or access the homestudy recording for $15.50. Sign up here to purchase this CE course and earn a CE certificate.

If the event is canceled by GoodTherapy, registrants who purchased the event will be notified and the charge for the event will be refunded

If you have any questions or would like information regarding disability accommodations, please contact us.

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