Group Therapy With Older Adults

Post a description of a group therapy session with older adults, including the stage of the group, any resistances or issues that were present, and therapeutic techniques used by the facilitator. Explain any challenges that may occur when working with this group. Support your recommendations with evidence-based literature.

Required Readings

American Nurses Association. (2014). Psychiatric-mental health nursing: Scope and standards of practice (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

• Standard 7 “Ethics” (pages 67-68)

Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2014). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-to guide for evidence-based practice. New York, NY: Springer.

• Chapter 18, “Psychotherapy with Older Adults” (pp. 62–660)

Bonhote, K., Romano-Egan, J., & Cornwell, C. (1999). Altruism and creative expressions in a long-term older adult psychotherapy group. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 20(6), 603–617. doi:10.1080/016128499248394
Altruism and Creative Expressions in a Long-term Older Adult Psychotherapy Group by Bonhote, K.; Romano-Egan, J.; Cornwell, C., in Issues in Mental Health Nursing, Vol. 20/Issue 6. Copyright 1999 by Taylor & Francis Inc. Reprinted by permission of Taylor & Francis Inc. via the Copyright Clearance Center.

Cheston, R., & Jones, R. (2009). A small-scale study comparing the impact of psycho-education and exploratory psychotherapy groups on newcomers to a group for people with dementia. Aging & Mental Health, 13(3), 420-425. doi:10.1080/13607860902879409

Krishna, M., Honagodu, A., Rajendra, R., Sundarachar, R., Lane, S., & Lepping, P. (2013). A systematic review and meta-analysis of group psychotherapy for sub-clinical depression in older adults. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 28(9), 881–888. doi:10.1002/gps.3905
A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Group Psychotherapy for Sub-clinical Depression in Older Adults by Krishna, M.; Honagodu, A.; Rajendra, R.; Sundarachar, R.; Lane, S.; Lepping, P., in International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, Vol. 28/Issue 9. Copyright 2013 by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Reprinted by permission of John Wiley & Sons Ltd. via the Copyright Clearance Center.

Krishna, M., Jauhari, A., Lepping, P., Turner, J., Crossley, D., & Krishnamoorthy, A. (2011). Is group psychotherapy effective in older adults with depression? A systematic review. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 26(4), 331–340. doi:10.1002/gps.2546
Is Group Psychotherapy Effective in Older Adults with Depression? A Systematic Review by Krishna, M.; Jauhari, A.; Lepping, P.; Turner, J.; Crossley, D.; Krishnamoorthy, A., in International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, Vol. 26/Issue 4. Copyright 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Reprinted by permission of John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. via the Copyright Clearance Center.

Rice, A. (2015). Common therapeutic factors in bereavement groups. Death Studies, 39(3), 165-172. doi:10.1080/07481187.2014.946627

Wang, C., Tzeng, D., & Chung, W. (2014). The effect of early group psychotherapy on depressive symptoms and quality of life among residents of an apartment building for seniors. Psychogeriatrics: The Official Journal of the Japanese Psychogeriatric Society, 14(1), 38-46. doi:10.1111/psyg.12037

Watkins, R., Cheston, R., Jones, K., & Gilliard, J. (2006). ‘Coming out’ with Alzheimer’s disease: Changes in awareness during a psychotherapy group for people with dementia. Aging & Mental Health, 10(2), 166-176. doi:10.1080/13607860500312209