Treating Later-Life Depression: Personalized Approaches

One of the greatest challenges for practitioners treating depression in middle-aged and older adults is the wide variability of life circumstances that accompany depressive symptoms for aging patients across outpatient mental health and integrated care. This webinar reflects continuing international scientific and clinical advances in applying cognitive behavioral therapy with depressed individuals in the second half of life. Detailed suggestions are provided and demonstrated for how to modify core therapy strategies with aging patients. A particular focus is on strategies for addressing common comorbid concerns such as brain health, chronic pain, sleep problems, family caregiving responsibilities, grief, and relationship difficulties.

• Identify essential domains to include when developing a case conceptualization of later-life depression.
• Plan an individualized course of treatment (prioritize treatment goals and select appropriate change strategies) for patients with later-life depression and comorbidities.
• Describe within-session strategies to enhance outcomes with depressed older adults.

Ann Steffen, PhD, ABPP