Treating Later-Life Depression: A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Approach, Workbook(Treatments That Work)

About the Book

Depression is a leading mental health concern in aging individuals. Written to be used in collaboration with a qualified mental health professional, Treating Later-Life Depression: Workbook is designed to address and alleviate depression and related concerns (chronic pain, sleep problems, anxiety, brain health, family caregiving and grief) in middle-aged and older adults. This practical Workbook, along with its companion Clinician Guide, reflects the latest scientific and clinical advances in cognitive-behavioral therapy for age-related problems, in individual, group, and telehealth formats. Along with learning how to re-engage in a meaningful daily life, individuals will build skills using personalized change strategies such as problem solving, relaxation training, self-compassion, reframing unhelpful thoughts and effective communication practices, among others. This workbook contains Learn pages and Practice forms; use of the paperback version allows clients to complete these worksheets between sessions to enhance their understanding and use of skills to improve emotional well-being. The Workbook closes with resources to support middle-aged and older adults' ongoing efforts at achieving and maintaining a greater sense of wellbeing.

Table of Contents:
Part I: Core Modules of Treatment (For Most Clients) Module 1: Skills for Getting Started - Planning Your Treatment Module 2: Skills for Feeling - Recognizing and Managing Strong Emotions Module 3: Skills for Doing - Values-Based Living and Solving Problems Module 4: Skills for Thinking - Self-Compassion and Helpful Thoughts Part II: Personalized Modules (For Some Clients) Module 5: Skills for Brain Health - Healthy Cognitive Aging Module 6: Skills for Managing Chronic Pain - Improving Daily Life Module 7: Skills for Health Sleep - Resting Better and Longer Module 8: Skills for Caregiving - Reducing Stress while Helping Others Module 9: Skills for Living with Loss - Bereavement and Grief Module 10: Skills for Relating - Getting Along and Communicating Your Needs Part III: Final Core Module of Treatment Module 11: Skills for Wrapping Up - Finishing Treatment Part IV: Additional Resources California Older Person's Positive Experiences Schedule-Revised (COPPES-R) National Resouces for Older Adults

About the Author :
Ann M. Steffen, PhD, ABPP is a board-certified geropsychologist and professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Leah P. Dick-Siskin, PhD has almost two decades of experience coordinating geriatric partial hospitalization programs and co-authored the book Cognitive Behavior Therapy with Older People. Ann Choryan Bilbrey, PhD completed her postdoctoral training at Stanford University's Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and is the Associate Director of the Optimal Aging Center. Larry W. Thompson, PhD, ABPP is a board-certified geropsychologist and an emeritus professor from Stanford University School of Medicine. He is the co-founder of the Optimal Aging Center. Dolores Gallagher-Thompson, PhD, ABPP is a board-certified geropsychologist and active emerita professor at Stanford University School of Medicine. She is the co-founder of the Optimal Aging Center.

Review :
As a gerontologist, I have used the earlier editions of these regularly with my clients and appreciate the significant additions to the newest versions, which appeal to clinicians from a broad range of backgrounds, such as social work, psychology, counseling, marriage and family therapy, and nursing. Moreover, the structure of the Clinician Guide has changed allowing practitioners to work on core modules a well as modules that may better fit with the client's specific needs. This Clinician Guide also contains a well thought out list of resources, including client and therapist assessments, professional resources by module, session outlines, group and individual applications, and tips for clinicians throughout the book. Cognitive behavioral approaches to treating later life depression are cornerstones of our therapeutic regimes today. I can think of no group better positioned to provide a definitive book and manual to guide clinicians in these treatments than Drs. Steffen, Gallagher-Thompson, and Thompson. These professionals are not only therapeutic pioneers, they bring decades of firsthand experience in both research and practice to this topic. No one does it better. I highly recommend this excellent, practical workbook and guide for all clinicians working with patients struggling with later-life depression, whether in primary or specialty care settings. The evidence-based modules are detailed and nicely adaptable to virtual care/telehealth. Kudos for this workbook and clinician's guide that represent the cutting edge of CBT treatment for depressed middle-aged and older adults. The introduction of a new easy-to-use modular format and expanded state-of-the art resources highlight both core treatment strategies and stepped-up culturally tailored practice. What a fabulous resource! This workbook is chock-full of practical tools and strategies designed for middle-aged and older adults who want to live a happier, healthier life. The Clinician's Guide provides therapists with suggestions for maximizing the workbook's use with clients.