Overview

Drawing on the experience of authors who conduct work in psychiatric and medical clinics for geriatric patients, in both inpatient and outpatient and private practice settings, Tuning In: The Art and Science of Psychotherapy in Older Adults is an expert guide on addressing common real-world scenarios that present themselves for treatment in this population. Without discounting the value of evidence-based treatments for specific pathologies, it emphasizes the importance of advanced clinical interviewing skills for truly understanding patients' backgrounds, concerns, and goals for treatment. Filled with case vignettes, the book opens with an overview of numerous therapeutic modalities—including cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, dialectical behavior therapy, and group therapies—and their use with older adults. It goes on to consider • Factors that impact clinical presentation and care, including cognitive functioning, socioeconomic status, structural racism, and social determinants of health • Adopting a transdiagnostic and integrative psychotherapy approach when working with older patients • Common life challenges encountered by clinicians, including new-onset alcohol and substance use, grief and bereavement, and cognitive dysfunction • Current therapeutic approaches, including the use of telehealth and digital tools, interventions in primary care, and psychological wellness groups Accessible, wide-ranging, and rooted in real-world experience, this volume provides readers with the guidance they need to effectively communicate with patients in a way that is understandable and motivating. The information included in this guide will help clinicians as they make patients and their families feel understood, respected, and hopeful about the goals of treatment.

Full Product Details

Author:   Erin L. Cassidy-Eagle, PhD (Stanford University School of Medicine) ,  Laura B. Dunn (Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Stanford University)
Publisher:   American Psychiatric Association Publishing
Imprint:   American Psychiatric Association Publishing
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 2.20cm , Length: 22.90cm
ISBN:  

9781615374991

ISBN 10:   161537499
Pages:   370
Publication Date:   14 November 2025
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Not yet available  
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Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Therapeutic Modalities and Their Use in Older Adults Chapter 2. Approaching Work With the Older Patient Chapter 3. Beyond the Manual Chapter 4. Addressing Changing Sexual Concerns With Older Adults Chapter 5. New-Onset Alcohol and Substance Use in Older Adults: Nuances of the Clinical Interview Chapter 6. Cognitive Dysfunction and Therapy: Information, Modifications, and Recommendations Chapter 7. Driving Cessation and the Older Adult: Considerations and Approaches Chapter 8. Lack of Meaning and Purpose Chapter 9. Working With an Older Trauma Survivor With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Chapter 10. The Quiet Narcissist, Chapter 11. Grief and Bereavement: Coping With Loss in Late Life Chapter 12. The ""Lifelong"" Psychotherapy Patient Chapter 13. Nonpharmacological Complexities in Treating Older Adults: Expectations for Improvement and Dealing With Countertransference Chapter 14. Existential Issues and Role Transitions Chapter 15. Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Address Present and Future Care Needs for a Patient Who Doesn't Think They Are ""There"" Yet Chapter 16. Brief Intervention in Primary Care to Boost Mood and Resilience: The Positive Experience Program Chapter 17. Telehealth and Digital Tools as Facilitators of Mental Health Treatment Chapter 18. Psychological Wellness Group for Older Adults: Improving the Health of the Mind, Body and Brain

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Author Information

Erin Cassidy-Eagle, Ph.D., DBSM, is Clinical Professor and Section Co-Chief of Geriatric Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine in Palo Alto, California. Laura B. Dunn, M.D., is Marie Wilson Howells Professor and Chair in the Department of Psychiatry and Director of the Psychiatric Research Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas.

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