Psychotherapy With Older Adults

ANNOTATION

The book contains no figures.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Update to offer professionals and students an even more thorough account of therapy with older adults, the second edition of Bob G. Knight's best-selling book now expands on important issues while presenting his maturity-specific model as a conceptual framework. Sensitively linking both research and experience, Psychotherapy With Older Adults provides a practical account of the knowledge, technique, and skills necessary to work with older adults in a therapeutic relationship. This volume considers the essentials of gerontology as well as the nature of therapy in greater depth, including special content areas and common themes. Also a major addition is a comprehensive discussion of assessment and options for intervention. Numerous case examples illustrate the dynamics of the therapeutic task and issues covered in therapy and stress the human element in working with older adults. A new concluding chapter considers ethical questions and the future of psychotherapy with older adults.

FROM THE CRITICS

Kathleen E. Sherrell

The author provides an overview of scientific gerontology for therapeutic interventions with the elderly. He uses sound research findings and proceeds to give concrete clinical examples in connecting theory and practice. The author defines the need for therapists to view the elderly as unique and complex. Therefore, although they are at a similar place in the life span, their issues in therapy are even more varied than younger people, since they bring so much more expertise about life in general. A wide audience can learn from this book. Even though professionals in the field may not be exposed to anything totally new, the author presents innovative ideas about old topics. He also writes clearly enough to be understood by students and those with little experience working with the elderly. The author successfully dismantles the myth that therapeutic work with the elderly is primarily a way to help them deal with all their losses. Although he emphasizes that therapists need to be comfortable with aging and death, he also reminds them that many elderly persons come to therapy to find new meaning in their present life and get help in dealing with family, lovers, and numerous other problems. The author presents an excellent overview of working in therapy with the elderly. He reminds therapists that they need to be comfortable with loss, death, and disability as well as be open to learning new things from their clients. Because the book covers such a large topical area, there is some superficiality and oversimplification, particularly in the chapter on assessment and on the topic of transference and countertransference. Despite these shortcomings, the book is meaty, and I recommend itfor professionals in the field of gerontology as well as newcomers with little prior knowledge.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer: Kathleen E. Sherrell, PsyD (Northwestern University Medical School)Description: The author provides an overview of scientific gerontology for therapeutic interventions with the elderly. He uses sound research findings and proceeds to give concrete clinical examples in connecting theory and practice. Purpose: The author defines the need for therapists to view the elderly as unique and complex. Therefore, although they are at a similar place in the life span, their issues in therapy are even more varied than younger people, since they bring so much more expertise about life in general. Audience: A wide audience can learn from this book. Even though professionals in the field may not be exposed to anything totally new, the author presents innovative ideas about old topics. He also writes clearly enough to be understood by students and those with little experience working with the elderly. Features: The author successfully dismantles the myth that therapeutic work with the elderly is primarily a way to help them deal with all their losses. Although he emphasizes that therapists need to be comfortable with aging and death, he also reminds them that many elderly persons come to therapy to find new meaning in their present life and get help in dealing with family, lovers, and numerous other problems. Assessment: The author presents an excellent overview of working in therapy with the elderly. He reminds therapists that they need to be comfortable with loss, death, and disability as well as be open to learning new things from their clients. Because the book covers such a large topical area, there is some superficiality and oversimplification, particularly in the chapter on assessment and on the topic of transference and countertransference. Despite these shortcomings, the book is meaty, and I recommend it for professionals in the field of gerontology as well as newcomers with little prior knowledge.

Booknews

A second edition of the thorough examination of therapeutic work with older adults and the age specific issues involved. Knight (gerontology and psychology, U. of Southern California) discusses the psychotherapeutic adaptations needed to build rapport and assess an older client, transference and countertransference, grief work, and life review psychotherapy. The revised edition includes a new concluding chapter that considers ethical questions and the future of psychotherapy with older adults. Paper edition (unseen), $18.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

RATING

4 Stars! from Doody

ACCREDITATION