An evaluation of a pilot psychoeducational group for older adults with complex emotional needs

Abstract

Older people are less likely to receive psychological treatment than younger adults despite having a high level of need and complexity. This article outlines the design, implementation, and evaluation of a 9-session psychoeducational group for adults with complex emotional needs (CEN), aged 65 and over. The group collated material from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Mentalisation Based Treatment (MBT), Schema Focused Therapy (SFT), Structured Clinical Management (SCM), and Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT). The aim of the group was to collaborate with participants so that they could help us understand the needs and wishes of older people with CEN. We recruited 6 individuals with CEN from the Later Life Community Mental Health Teams in Manchester. We found that all treatment modalities were well received, that participants had an interest in treatments focusing on understanding self and others, and that clients had behavioural deficits relating to emotional overcontrol. We learnt that CEN in later life manifest differently, and as such may require a varied and adaptive response from psychological services to meet the diverse needs that present in this client group.