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Cognitive-behavioral group therapy for the depressed elderly: Issues and adaptations

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Abstract

The application of group cognitive-behavioral therapy to depressed geriatric outpatients is illustrated through case examples. Age changes in intellectual functioning may cause the therapy to proceed more slowly than expected and may make behavioral components the most useful aspects of the treatment for some people. Health status may affect the assessment of severity of depression as well as the pace of the treatment. Differences in cultural and educational experience may make it more difficult for the group to become cohesive. Passivity and negative stereotypes of aging need to be actively confronted.

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Reference Note

  • Jarvik, L. F.Psychotherapy in geriatric depression. NIMH Grant No. MH33677,

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychogeriatric Unit (691/B151E), University of California, and VA Medical Center Brentwood, 90073, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Joanne L. Steuer

  2. University of California, Los Angeles, USA

    Constance L. Hammen

Authors
  1. Joanne L. Steuer
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  2. Constance L. Hammen
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Additional information

Support for this research was received from NIMH No. MH33677 awarded to L. F. Jarvik. Partial support was also received from the Veterans Administration.

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Steuer, J.L., Hammen, C.L. Cognitive-behavioral group therapy for the depressed elderly: Issues and adaptations. Cogn Ther Res 7, 285–296 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01177552

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