Psychotherapy with older adults.

The scope of need and possible benefit of psychosocial interventions in late life far exceeds the scientific evidence of efficacy. Most studies have been conducted in academic settings with self-selected, relatively independent older adults for whom measures of benefit were narrowly defined. In reviewing the existing literature concerning individual, group, and couples therapies in the geriatric population, we find that with appropriate adaptations for medical comorbidity, cognitive and sensory impairment, caregiver inclusion, and realistic modification of treatment goals, psychotherapeutic endeavors with the senior patient can prove to be highly successful.