Psychotherapy with Older Adults: A Gap Between Theory, Research, and Practice

Abstract

For psychologists, working effectively with older adults (aged 65+ years) requires awareness of the nuanced aspects of psychotherapy with this group. These include the clinical effectiveness of modifying psychotherapy, the variables that influence treatment outcomes such as older adults’ characteristics (e.g., physical comorbidities) or non-specific therapeutic factors (e.g., therapeutic alliance), and psychologists’ own personal reactions towards older clients. This narrative review examined the current knowledge about these clinically-relevant factors. The findings revealed a gap between theory, research, and practice in terms of how psychotherapy fares with older adults in real practice. More extensive, targeted research exploring the nuanced aspects of working with older adults can advance understanding about what may promote or interfere with their therapeutic progress. Ultimately, this can improve the care provided for this growing client base.