Episode #1: Dr. Beverly Thorn on Dementia Caregiving and Coping

Health psychologists play a critical role in supporting caregivers of patients with dementia — yet many clinicians feel underprepared for the emotional complexity of this work.In this episode, we interview Beverly E. Thorn, Ph.D., the author of Before I Lose My Own Mind, a powerful exploration of dementia caregiving and the psychological toll it takes on families. We discuss how health psychologists can support dementia caregivers, recognize caregiver burnout, and provide meaningful mental health strategies throughout the progression of the illness.This conversation focuses on practical clinical skills for health psychologists in practice and training, including how to address anticipatory grief, emotional burden, role transitions, and resilience in caregivers of dementia patients. Whether you work in primary care, behavioral health, geriatrics, or integrated care, you’ll gain tools to better support caregivers navigating one of the most challenging experiences in healthcare.Episode Citations:https://drbeverlythorn.com/Before I Lose My Own Mind: Navigating Life as a Dementia Caregiver by Beverly E. ThornCognitive Therapy for Chronic Pain (Second Edition): A Step-by-Step Guide by Beverly E. ThornGlobal Deterioration Scale for DementiaEpisode Credits:Hosts: Josh Eyer, PhD and Elena Silberman Scott, PhD,MAProduced by Valeria Martinez-Kaigi, PhD, MSManaging Editor: Mark Vogel, PhD. ABPPEdited by Isaac Schutz Thoughts or suggestions?  Complete our listener survey at the Society webpageYou can also find expert bios, transcripts, and details of each episode on the  Society webpage.Subscribe today on Apple and Spotify.  You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here>> https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2625656.rss