I simply have more of a role as a human being. Psychotherapists' Experience Delivering Psychotherapy to Nursing Home Residents with Depression.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The lack of psychotherapy in nursing homes can be explained by organisational obstacles but also by practitioners' reservations about this patient group and setting. This study aimed to inform practice by qualitatively exploring the experiences of psychotherapists delivering cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to residents of nursing homes diagnosed with depression. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Semi-structured interviews with six psychotherapists, who had delivered treatment within the DAVOS project (Depression in the nursing home: a cluster-randomized stepped-wedge collaborative case management approach to improve treatment) were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using a deductive-inductive content analysis. RESULTS Therapists experienced various difficulties, including practical (e.g., multi-professional collaboration) and existential issues (e.g., confrontation with their own mortality). Participants described correcting some stereotypical images of older people (in need of care) through their work within the DAVOS project. However, evidence of ageism was still included in their reports. In the interviews, psychotherapists more experienced with older patients addressed more existential issues, whereas more novice therapists tended to focus more on practical difficulties. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS To ensure a more effective implementation of psychotherapeutic treatment in nursing homes, it appears necessary to address important contextual factors that facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration, interference free treatment rooms and tele-assisted sessions. Further, more setting-specific training, targeted supervision regarding death and suicide, and interventions that address stereotypical images of age and older people in residential care are needed.