Exploring Psychotherapy for People with Dementia

In this episode, host Dr Anna Volkmer is joined by Dr Alys Griffiths, Sophie Jeffery, and Esther Whittlesea Reed to explore a two-year Alzheimer’s Society project testing #psychotherapy for people with dementia.Together, they discuss the importance of therapy in #dementia care, the barriers to access, the development of new therapist competencies, and the lived experience of psychotherapy from both clinical and personal perspectives.TakeawaysPsychotherapy can provide meaningful outcomes for people with dementia.Barriers to accessing therapy include stigma and lack of understanding.Core competencies for therapists are essential for effective care.Family therapy is crucial for supporting families affected by dementia.Training for therapists should include specific skills for working with dementia patients.Research findings highlight the need for better communication about therapy options.The importance of lived experience in shaping research and therapy.Future research should focus on improving access to therapy for families.There is a need for a cultural shift in how dementia is perceived in therapy.Essential links / resources mentioned in the show:Core competences frameworkUK Council for PsychotherapyBritish Association for Counselling and PsychotherapyRecent papers on the topicSponsored by Famileo. Helping families living with dementia stay close with a personalised printed magazine, delivered monthly. Over a quarter of a million families already use Famileo to stay connected. First month free with code DR26. Visit the Famileo Website--A transcript of this show, links and show notes and profile on all our guests are available on our website at https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk.If you prefer to watch rather than listen, you will find a video version of this podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and on our website.Leave us a tip:https://dementia-researcher.captivate.fm/supportFollow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/ https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/https://www.twitter.com/demrescommunityhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.socialDownload and Register with our Community App:https://www.onelink.to/dementiaresearcherWe gratefully acknowledge the support of our funders: Alzheimer’s Association, Race Against Dementia, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.The views and opinions expressed by guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the producers, funders, or sponsors.Subscribe to our sister show 'Dementia Researcher The Blogs':https://podfollow.com/dementia-researcher-blogs