Overview of psychotherapy with family caregivers, with a focus on dysfunctional thoughts
When older adults need care, family members typically become the primary caregivers. Caring for an older family member is, however, immensely demanding, and family caregivers often experience high levels of distress. As the number of older people in need of care - including those with dementia - increases, bolstering family caregivers’ resilience has become an important issue in health care and psychotherapy.
This training provides an evidence-based overview of psychotherapy with family caregivers. Participants will become acquainted with the challenges confronting family caregivers, as well as the psychotherapeutic strategies that can help family caregivers maintain and improve their well-being. Participants will be introduced to an intervention concept based on cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and client-centered psychotherapy designed specifically for family caregivers of people with dementia (Wilz, 2023).
The workshop focuses also on identifying and modifying family caregivers’ dysfunctional thoughts (DTs). Participants will learn about the DTs common among family caregivers, and techniques for helping family caregivers develop more adaptive ways of thinking."
Suggested Reading
Wilz, G. (2023). Psychotherapeutic support for family caregivers of people with dementia. Hogrefe Publishing.
Wilz, G., Reder, M., Meichsner, F., & Soellner, R. (2018). The Tele.TAnDem Intervention: Telephone-based CBT for family caregivers of people with dementia. The Gerontologist, 58(2), e118-e129. doi: 10.1093/geront/gnx183
Wilz, G., Weise, L., Reiter, C., Reder, M., Machmer, A., & Soellner, R. (2018). Intervention helps family caregivers of people with dementia attain own therapy goals. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias, 33(5), 301 – 308. https://doi.org/10.1177/1533317518769475
Töpfer, N. F., Sittler, M. C., Lechner-Meichsner, F., Theurer, C., & Wilz, G. (2021). Long-term effects of telephone-based cognitive-behavioral intervention for family caregivers ofpeople with dementia: Findings at 3-year follow-up. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 89(4), 341–349. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000640
CE Learning Objectives
Following this presentation, participants will be able to:
· Describe at least 2 specific challenges faced by family caregivers
· Outline 3 essential elements of psychotherapy with family caregivers
· Name at least 3 dysfunctional thoughts common among family caregivers
· Describe 1 therapeutic strategy for collaborative identification of caregivers’ dysfunctional thoughts
· Describe 1 action psychotherapists can take to support caregivers develop more adaptive ways of thinking
ZOOM LINK SENT 48-Hours before & morning of the event to all without balance due.
Presenter
Gabriele Wilz, PhD, is Professor and Head of the Department of Counseling and Clinical Intervention as well as Director of the Psychotherapeutic Outpatient Clinic and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Qualification at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena in Germany. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and clinical supervisor with licensure in cognitive behavioral therapy. Her research and clinical work focus on supporting family caregivers of people with dementia and older people in need of care. Her intervention concept for family caregivers incorporates elements of cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and client-centered psychotherapy. The intervention can be delivered to groups or individuals; face-to-face, via telephone, or online. Six randomized controlled trials have confirmed the effectiveness and feasibility of the intervention. For a full biography, please visit https://www.klinisch-psychologische-intervention.uni-jena.de/
Target Audience
This presentation is intended for licensed mental health professionals and advanced graduate student trainees seeking licensure and with some clinical experience. The instructional level of this presentation is intermediate.
Continuing Education
- Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
- This program provides one and a half (1.5) hours of CE credits.
- Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association is also approved by the NY State Education Department to offer psychology continuing education
- PBTA is also an authorized provider of CE credits for Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Clinical Social Workers licensed in the state of Pennsylvania.
- Full attendance with video display is required to obtain CE credit for this program. APA guidelines do not permit PBTA to issue partial CE credits. No refunds are provided for CE programs. No exceptions allowed.
