psychological counselling for older adults
Navigate life’s later challenges with our specialised Clinical Psychologists. Offering tailored online and in-person counselling for older adults, we’re here to support your journey to improved well-being. Connect with us now.
Navigating Emotional and Physical Changes for Older Adults
You may be adjusting to health problems such as: hearing loss, sight difficulties including cataracts, problems with pain and mobility (osteoarthritis – back pain, hip/knee pain necessitating replacement/operation), respiratory problems such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, mild cognitive impairment, depression and dementia.
Older individuals are also likely to have more than one health problem at any one time (World Health Organisation).
Older adults can struggle with loss of purpose and also face discrimination.
An individual over 65 could be considered an older adult. Yet, their needs may be different to someone aged 80. So, we consider each person as a unique individual.
We bring our expertise from our training and having worked with other older persons, to the work with you.
Psychological Support for Physical Recovery
Clinical Psychologists have experience working with people who are adjusting to later life issues including adjusting to a new state of physical health; helping people with the psychological emotional adjustment.
Clinical Psychologists working in the physical health speciality, work with people recovering from strokes and many other conditions.
Additionally, you may notice long standing patterns need to be revised now. Previous coping patterns may no longer work for you.
For example, as you get older, habitual ways of coping with underlying emotional difficulties (such as physical exercise, overworking, avoidance, using alcohol, being fiercely independent) may not be sustainable in the face of present-day problems.
Clinical Psychologists can help you work on overcoming past issues as much as you can, develop new coping strategies, work towards living life as best as you can within any new physical health limitations. Work towards enriching your life.
You may be finding it difficult to raise subjects for discussion with loved ones, e.g., setting up a lasting power of attorney, an advanced care directive and preparing for other end of life issues.
A Clinical Psychologist can help facilitate that conversation with you or help you on a one-to-one basis to explore your preferences and wishes first.
Specialised Support for Dementia and Complex Health Conditions
Clinical Psychologists seeing older people include:
Can I See a Clinical Psychologist for Dementia?
You may be struggling after a diagnosis of Dementia or Alzheimers or may have begin to notice troubles yourself.
Seeing a Clinical Psychologist to process the trauma of such a diagnosis can help the emotional adjustment.
People with dementia (their carers and family members) can see Clinical Psychologists who specialise in working with people by offering psychosocial interventions, family meetings, facilitating staff care planning and training, etc., as needed.
Sometimes counselling for dementia or mood counselling just isn’t enough. A more in-depth thorough understanding is needed to help move forward.
Hence it’s helpful to see a professional psychologist for dementia.
You and your Clinical Psychologist can, together, work out how things got to this point and how to move forward.
Where Can I Seek Support For Dementia?
Please seek support and help from those around you. Psychological input has helped many people overcome such feelings.
Please reach out to your GP, support services like Age UK or other crisis service like Samaritans (who are there 24 hours).
Please note we are unable to provide a crisis service.
Psychologist Counselling For Dementia
If you’re looking for an experienced psychologist offering online counselling for dementia, our clinical psychologists offer effective psychological therapies.
We are registered psychologists with the Health Care and Professions Council (HCPC) and Practitioner Psychologists with the Professional Standards Authority.
You can contact us about available counselling appointments by clicking on the button below.
Author
Dr Jurai Darongkamas
Jurai is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist who worked in Mental Health in the National Health Service (NHS), 1986 – 2019.
She now works part time alongside select colleagues offering high quality Psychological Therapies privately.
She is an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (AFBPsS), an experienced trainer and supervisor; previously Lead in an NHS Trust for people with complex difficulties and Board Trustee.
Note
This page has been written to provide a brief overview for the reader. It should not be used as a basis for any action until after obtaining a professional opinion about your unique difficulties, strengths, circumstances, life history, etc.
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Clinical Psychology: FAQs
What is Clinical Psychology?
Clinical psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and behaviour. Its principles and theories are applied to help individuals, couples, families, groups, and organisations.
What is the training process for becoming a Clinical Psychologist?
Clinical Psychologists usually undergo 7-8 years of training, which includes obtaining a Psychology degree (usually 3 years), plus the doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology (usually 3 years).
Additionally, some relevant experience, such as working as an assistant psychologist, IAPT worker, nursing assistant, researcher, etc., is often required to secure a place on the Clinical Psychology training course.
What kinds of therapies can Clinical Psychologists offer?
Clinical Psychologists are trained in a wide range of psychological assessment, intervention, and therapies. They can offer a tailored approach to individuals, including integrative therapies, which combine two or more types of therapy in a theoretically coherent practical way.
How does the training of Clinical Psychologists compare to that of Mental Health Counsellors?
The training of Clinical Psychologists is much more extensive than that of most Mental Health Counsellors. In addition to their foundational training, many Clinical Psychologists go on to receive specialist training in particular approaches.
What are the main Psychological Therapy Approaches used?
We view each person as unique. Rather than use a label regarding which mental health problem you have, we work out with you what’s contributed/led to, the present difficulties and what’s the best way forward.
We offer a range of therapy approaches.
Sometimes, it is appropriate to offer an individualised, integrative approach (combining 2 or more in a theoretically coherent practical way).
We will advise you, out of many possible psychological approaches including:
- Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT),
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT),
- Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR),
- Experiential Dynamic Therapy (EDT),
- Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT),
- Emotion Focused Therapy, etc.
How do I make an appointment for help?
To see one of our clinical psychologists, complete our brief, online form or call us on 0330 223 1844 for a free, no-obligation consultation where we will aim to help us fix a good day and time for you.
Click the following link below to see more information about the individual psychologists that work with us.
Who do you see?
We see individuals, couples and families.
Do you offer both online and in-person appointments?
We see people over the internet with some in same-room appointments, for talking therapy or psychological therapy remotely using Zoom.
Psychological therapy has been shown to be effective on-line – it is more than counselling over the internet.
As well as psychologists based across the UK, e.g., in Birmingham, Staffordshire, Shropshire, London, North of England and other areas,
What is the process involved when starting therapy with a Clinical Psychologist?
As seeing a Clinical Psychologist can be a very personal journey, you would normally first meet up to see if you can work together as client – psychologist, as two people.
The first, and any subsequent, session is charged at the rate for the psychologist you see.
The Clinical Psychologist will offer an assessment. That is, getting to know you to understand possible issues linked to how the difficulties started and how they persist.
This assessment will usually consist of asking you to share about your background, key family members (past and current), relationship history, and anything else you feel is significant.
How long do I see a Clinical Psychologist for?
How long you will meet for can be agreed between you and your Clinical Psychologist at the first /first few meeting/s depending on the help required, the clinical understanding reached and your preferences.
We would not offer to see you for longer than necessary.
Alternatively, you might choose to be seen for a few sessions (1-4) just for assessment.
After an assessment, you can be advised if psychological approaches could help you and the approach needed in the Clinical Psychologist’s opinion.
Will I be given information about the Clinical Psychologist?
How much does it cost to see a psychologist?
Clinical Psychologists have a wide range of experience. Depending on your specific needs and which Psychologist you see, the cost is usually in the range of £100-£140 per appointment. It depends on which person you decide to meet.
We can be more specific once we have considered your particular presenting needs.
We will always let you know the exact cost before you agree to meet.
What courses can I join to help me improve my psychological health?
From time to time, we also offer classes (courses and workshops) to those interested in learning skills in a group setting and meeting others. These cover areas such as: self-esteem, confidence, understanding more about interactions with others, understanding “rules” from childhood.
Please email letting us know of your interest and/or ask the person you see for more information about this. When we have the dates for our next course, information will be posted here.
How will my confidentiality be maintained?
We would normally ask you for details of your GP. We will agree with you whether you would like us to write to your GP to let him/her know that you seeing a Clinical Psychologist. We would normally prefer to write.
We take your GP’s details because, should the situation dictate and we become concerned for you welfare, then we would have to let him/her know. As part of our duty of care, we aim to tell you that we are doing so first.
We would usually only break confidentiality where absolutely necessary, for example, if we were informed that a crime was to be committed.
How are Clinical Psychologists regulated?
You are entitled to make a complaint about any Clinical Psychologist you are unhappy with to either the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and/or the professional association for Clinical Psychologists, the British Psychological Society.
(The former was set up for the protection of the public and potentially can strike someone off the register so they cannot practice again in future, if found guilty of misconduct).
Many professional organisations have published codes of conduct and code of ethics.
All individual practitioners should carry professional indemnity insurance for their work. You can ask to see a copy of their up to date certificate.
What is your complaints procedure?
We hope, and expect, that you will receive an excellent service from our Clinical Psychologists.
However, in the event of you not being satisfied with the service you receive from your Clinical Psychologist, you have several options available to you, depending on your degree of dissatisfaction.
Please visit our complaints procedure page for more details.
