Psychology Services for Older Adults
The Psychology Department’s caring and committed staff is an essential part of Hanley Center’s holistic system of care. We offer an array of mental health services for older adults in collaboration with other members of Hanley’s clinical team. Our main goals are to help older adults break through their emotional barriers to recovery and cope with dual, or co-occurring diagnoses, including
- Trauma
- ADHD
- Cognitive impairment
- Eating disorders
- Mood disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Personality disorders
Assessment
First, we identify an older adult’s psychological and emotional needs. Our staff evaluates patients through an assessment process that includes a one-on-one interview and standard psychological tests that measure
- Emotional, behavioral and intellectual functioning
- Cognitive difficulties (especially important for our older adult population, for which we provide continuous monitoring)
- Personality style
Based on this assessment, we provide intervention recommendations that
- Ensure appropriate learning strategies are used throughout the older adult's experience at Hanley
- Identify positive, healthy patterns that will enhance their recovery and patterns that may hinder recovery
Each patient then develops a plan of care that establishes goals and treatment methods related to the problems identified in the assessment process. While treatment is individualized, we have found that older adults need more loss and grief support.
Treatment
Once a week, if appropriate, older adults will meet for dual-focus group therapy (to discuss co-occurring diagnoses) as well as individual therapy. Patients are usually assigned a therapist of the same sex.
The psychology staff also participates in lectures throughout a patient’s stay, providing information on topics specific to drug and alcohol recovery for older adults. In addition, a member of the psychology team facilitates the art therapy/creative healing session each week.
For older adults who need or request additional psychology services, we will develop an aftercare plan that emphasizes their emotional recovery after treatment.
