Psychotherapy with older adults in primary care medical settings

Whereas many older adults are hesitant to seek psychotherapy in traditional mental health settings, primary care medical settings offer many advantages in reaching underserved elderly clients with a variety of mental disorders. The present article reviews the growing importance of primary care in our health care system and as a setting to reach clients in need of psychotherapy; important issues for psychotherapists interested in practicing in primary care medical settings: and special issues in treating older adults in primary care. Case studies illustrate varied approaches to psychotherapy with older adults and their families in primary care, with such problems as depression, alcohol abuse, and dementia. Adaptations to conventional psychotherapy necessitated by the primary care setting are highlighted. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.