Psychological Practice with Caregivers
Psychological Practice Overview
Psychologists who provide services to caregivers will find that their professional knowledge and skills in other areas have applicability, but will also find unique needs and challenges that require new learning. This section of the Caregiver Briefcase offers practitioners resources designed to meet the needs of professionals new to work with caregivers as well as more advanced information for practitioners devoting a meaningful portion of work to caregivers.
In the Practice Section
Caregivers may experience depression, anxiety, financial strain and other problems.
What do Psychologists Need to Know to Help Family Caregivers?
Psychologists should be aware of common medical conditions, family development and cultural contexts of caregiving.
How Caregivers Reach Psychologists
It is important to notice caregivers’ needs in settings where psychological services are provided.
Psychologists as Direct Service Clinicians and Consultants
Roles include assessment, educating about self-care or disability, and bolstering strengths in other areas.
Models include family systems-illness, person-environment fit, biobehavioral and others.
Assessing caregiving families requires taking into account care recipients as well as considering various environmental contexts.
Offers caregivers summaries of principles, conceptual frameworks and strategies for interventions.
Variations for Practice with Culturally Diverse Groups
Factors such as socioeconomic status; gender; age; cultural/ethnic traditions; and degrees of assimilation can affect caregiving.
Illustrates issues in billing for providing care to a patient, family caregivers and family members.
Date created: 2011