17 Psychological treatments
Charles Twining
Practical applications
In some cases a psychological treatment may be the treatment of choice
and the only treatment required. More often older people, especially those
with serious psychological disorders, have a number of current problems.
Psychological treatment then involves working in an orchestrated way
with several other professionals, whose skills are also required. This is not
always quite as good for the therapist’s kudos as playing the solo part, but
is generally better at meeting the patient’s needs.
Psychological treatments may require adaptations for older clients (Box
17.1). Most of these are self-explanatory and allow for the effects of normal
ageing and physical change. It is worth emphasising the importance of
experience. The patient usually has more than the therapist! Rather than