Four Models Of Mental Health

Working with an aging population can bring about challenged that may or may not be present when working with individuals who are middle aged or younger. Issues such as getting older, deteriorating health, feelings of loneliness and even death start to become more of a focus during sessions with elderly clients. Based on the work that I have done with children, some of these topics are not discussed because each age group has challenges that are unique to that particular group. Chapters 3 through 6 in the book Aging and Mental Health by Daniel Segal, Sara Honn Qualls and Michael A. Smyer, explain the four models of mental health. These models can be used in the treatment of different mental disorders that are present in the individual’s life.
An important question that may arise for a clinician may revolve around “which assessment and treatment approaches for which types of geriatric mental disorders will produce which types of outcomes?” (Segal, Qualls and Smyer, 2011) Choosing between Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral, Stress and Coping and Family Systems to treat an array of mental disorders within the aging population appears to be very simplistic. Throughout the course of treatment, a clinician may find themselves using strategies from each model one only one client. I believe that trying to stay with only one model could limit the amount of progress a client makes since an incorrect model could be used to try to treat all of their problems. According to Knight, working with older clients may require adaptations to be made in order to meet the needs of the client. (2004) For example, an elderly client who might not be familiar with therapy might have to be psychoeducated by their therapist about what therapy consists of. For some clinicians who might not be used to having to explain the general idea or definition of therapy, they might assume that their elderly client might be experiencing some form of cognitive decline. In the Cognitive Behavioral model “from the behavioral perspective, adaptation is defined as the capacity to meet
From experience, I have worked with younger individuals who have reminded me of myself at their age. They have exhibited certain qualities within themselves that mirror the ones I have within me. It can be easy to get distracted by the onslaught of thoughts that suddenly make their way back into focus. Transference and countertransference are phenomena that arise when there are differences that exists between the two parties. When working with elderly clients, “regardless of the age of the therapist, there are likely to be differences in the therapist-client relationship when the client is older.” (Knight, 2004) I believe that statement is correct, because when a therapist is significantly younger than their client could be the sense of imbalance or even a lack of understanding. When working with the parents and grandparents of my students, I have noticed that there is a hesitance or even skepticism when they talk to me. Due to my age and how I look, I have been questioned on if I know what I am talking about because I look too young to be a counselor. From their perspective, it may seem logical to be skeptical of a younger therapist trying to help an older individual improve something within their lives. Throughout chapter 4 of the Knight text, the author explained how the client may view their therapist as their child, grandchild, spouse and