Counseling Older Adults: Treating Depression & Anxiety
Information
Recorded
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Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
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Summarize current prevalence of mental health concerns among older adults living in the United States.
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Identify at least two differences in how mental health is experienced in older adulthood.
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Explain the impact of older adults’ lack of access to mental health services and stigma related to aging and/or mental health.
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Develop at least two strategies for community providers to support older adults who may be struggling with these mental health concerns.
Educational Goal
The educational goal of this workshop is to explain how depression and anxiety is experienced in older adulthood, with implications for counseling work.
Description
Although many older adults experience high levels of life satisfaction, some will experience mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and/or substance misuse. Oftentimes these issues are compounded by a lack of access to mental health services, stigma related to aging and/or mental health, and a general misunderstanding of how mental health concerns are experienced in later life. In this thought-provoking and practical training, participants will analyze the current prevalence of mental health concerns among older adults, recognize differences in how mental health is experienced in older adulthood, and develop strategies to support older adults who may be struggling with these mental health concerns.
Target Audience
- Counselor
- Marriage & Family Therapist
- Psychologist
- Social Worker
- Substance Use Disorder Professionals
Presenters
Dr. Matthew Fullen is an Associate Professor at Virginia Tech where he teaches in the counselor education program. Dr. Fullen’s research, teaching, and advocacy focus on the mental health needs of older adults, with an emphasis on addressing gaps in Medicare mental health policy and developing programs to enhance resilience & wellness and prevent suicide among older adults. Dr. Fullen has collaborated on over $6 million in research grant funding to develop programs that support older adults’ mental health, including sponsored work from both public and private entities. In recognition of his research and professional leadership related to Medicare advocacy, he has received the Virginia Tech Land Grant Scholar Award, as well as three national awards from the American Counseling Association (Counselor Educator Advocacy Award (2023), top Research Award (2021), and Carl D. Perkins Government Relations Award (2020).
Financially Sponsored By
- Association for Adult Development & Aging (AADA)