NURS 6640 Week 10: Psychotherapy With Older Adults

NURS 6640: Psychotherapy With Individuals | Week 10

According to the Institute of Medicine, more than 20% of the growing older adult population has a mental health disorder (IOM, 2012). In the past, many older adults avoided psychotherapy because of the associated social stigma, but with the growing acceptance of therapy and awareness of mental health issues, more of this population is seeking the help they need. In your role, as the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, you have the opportunity to help these older adult clients overcome challenges that may have plagued them for a lifetime.

This week, as you explore psychotherapy with older adults, you assess clients and consider the appropriateness of various therapeutic approaches. You also examine the theories, goals, and objectives that guided your practicum experience throughout this course.

Discussion: Clinical Supervision

Personal reflection and discussion with colleagues is essential to your development as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. In Week 8, you collaborated with colleagues as you participated in your first Clinical Supervision. This week, you have the opportunity to continue your collaboration as you reflect on and discuss your experiences with counseling older adults. Keep in mind that although there may be challenges to counseling this population, these clients offer unique learning opportunities. For this Clinical Supervision, consider an older client you are counseling whom you do not think is adequately progressing according to expected clinical outcomes.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Assess clients presenting for psychotherapy
• Evaluate effectiveness of therapeutic approaches for clients receiving psychotherapy

To prepare:

• Review this week’s media and consider the insights provided.
• Reflect on the clients you are currently counseling at your practicum site.

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking Submit!

By Day 3

Post a 3- to 5-minute Kaltura video that addresses the following:

• Describe an older client you are counseling whom you do not think is adequately progressing according to expected clinical outcomes.

Note: Do not use the client’s actual name.

• Explain your therapeutic approach with the client, including the perceived effectiveness of your approach.
• Identify any additional information about this client that may potentially impact expected outcomes.

Note: Nurse practitioners must have strong oral communication skills. This Discussion is designed to help you hone these skills. When filming your Kaltura video, be sure to dress and speak in a professional manner.

View a selection of your colleagues’ responses.

By Day 6

Respond to at least two of your colleagues by sharing additional insights or alternative perspectives. Support your feedback with evidence-based literature and/or your own experiences with clients.