Aging can bring many changes. From psychiatric health changes to shifts in social roles and familial dynamics, these transitions can impact our mental health. Many older adults struggle with feelings of loneliness, isolation, loss, grief, and physical health concerns. Geriatric counseling can be a valuable way to find support and maintain vital mental health. 

At Handel Behavioral Health, many of our trained counselors specialize in geriatric therapy, providing older adults with a safe and supportive space to address their mental health needs. 

To start working with one of our therapists specializing in geriatric counseling online in Massachusetts or in-person from our Amherst, Springfield, Wilbraham, West Springfield, Franklin, Natick offices, contact us today at (413) 343-4357 or request an appointment online.

To learn more about geriatric and older adult counseling services offered at Handel Behavioral Health, please read on!

What is Geriatric Therapy?

In the healthcare field, the term geriatric refers to care for older adults. Typically, they are defined as individuals being 65 years or older. 

Geriatric counseling is a specialized type of counseling directed towards the aging population and their unique mental health needs. Geriatic counselors work with clients to address issues such as anxiety, depression, grief, substance use disorder/addiction, cognitive changes, physical health changes, and life transitions. 

With professional therapeutic support, older adults can address the mental health challenges they face, build resilience within themselves, develop strategies for emotional well-being, and find fulfillment in their lives.

What are Some Common Mental Health Issues Addressed in Geriatric Counseling?

Geriatric counseling offers a range of mental health support designed to address various mental health challenges faced by older adults, such as:

1. Depression: Depression can impact anyone, regardless of age. However, life challenges as a result of aging, such as grief, loss, isolation, and health changes can increase the onset of depression in older adults. Counselors may utilize evidence based techniques such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help older adults explore their feelings and work through them. 
2. Anxiety: Many older adults struggle with generalized anxiety, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other types of anxiety disorders. Counselors may utilize modalities such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical-Behavioral Health (DBT), and mindfulness techniques to help older adults address feelings of fear and worry and develop healthier thinking and behavioral habits. 
3. Grief and Loss: Aging often involves the experience of loss, whether it’s loss of a loved one, loss of physical abilities, changes in cognitive abilities, or changes in life roles. Counselors trained in geriatric therapy offer older adults a safe space to process and cope with loss in healthy ways. 
4. Coping with Illness and Physical Changes: Physical pain and chronic pain can cause both physical and mental health challenges. Therapy offers older adults tools for coping with physical health challenges, helping older adults improve their quality of life and manage the emotional aspects of physical health changes. 
5. Cognitive Changes: Older adults may experience cognitive changes, such as slower processing speeds and memory loss. Therapists can offer older adults strategies to manage cognitive changes and adapt to cognitive changes with curiosity and compassion.
6. Stress Management: For older adults, stress often manifests in more physical ways, including health problems. Frequent headaches, sleep problems, insomnia, changes in appetite, muscle tension, chest pain, stomach pain, and other symptoms of stress can be detrimental to mental health and wellbeing. Older adults can develop new tools and coping techniques to reduce and manage symptoms of stress.

What are the Benefits of Geriatric Counseling?

Geriatric counseling offers many benefits for older adults, including the time and space to focus entirely on yourself and discuss what you are experiencing with a nonjudgmental and compassionate ally. You will learn more about yourself as you begin your path of self-discovery and healing with a trained geriatric counselor. Some of the key benefits of geriatric counseling include:

• Improved emotional health
• Resilience building
• Developing a more positive outlook on life
• Awakening a fresh and new perspective on the world
• Encouraging positive changes in thinking and behavior 
• Supports and validates your experiences and ideas
• Promotes self discovery

Start Geriatric Therapy at Handel Behavioral Health Today:

If you or your loved one is facing unique challenges as a result of aging, our trained and compassionate therapists in Massachusetts are here to help. 

Our therapists are dedicated to providing high-quality care to older adults in Massachusetts. Our skilled therapists understand the unique mental health needs of older adults and will use a compassionate, person-centered, and professional approach to meet each individual’s needs. 

To find emotional relief, resilience, and fulfillment in your later years of life, start working with one of our therapists online in Massachusetts or in-person from our Amherst, Springfield, Wilbraham, West Springfield, Franklin, Natick offices. Contact us today at (413) 343-4357 or request an appointment online.

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