Whether they live in the cities or in rural areas, it can be difficult for older adults to get to a therapist’s office because of weather, lack of transportation, health issues that make driving difficult or impossible, or any number of other reasons. Online therapy gives a person the opportunity to work with someone that they might not have otherwise and to do it in a surrounding they are comfortable in.

I have been fortunate in being able to establish good relationships with my clients that evolved into ones based on trust, a sense of ease with each other, and confidence that change will happen. There are times when I assist my client to let go of their anxiety about seeing a therapist and we often work together on letting go of the shame and other feelings associated with the perceived stigma of seeing a “shrink.” The issues that are often presented by an older adult can be complex in nature. I have worked with many things such as depression due to various causes such as loss of family/friends, independence, or health, anxiety, a resurfacing of trauma memories and reactions, difficulty with acceptance of health problems, caregiver stress, end-of-life issues, frustration with medical care, or problems with sleep.

It isn’t that a person cannot change, sometimes they don’t have the information, or skills needed to make the changes happen so that is where I come in. I might help them with changing their ways of thinking or their behaviors; sometimes it can involve just listening. I do not believe in a “cookie cutter” or “one size fits all” approach to therapy. I think it is important to use proven concepts and skills which address the issues or concerns of my client while respecting their beliefs, values, and life experiences. This is why therapy must be tailored to each person. There were times when I found that therapy could be enhanced by including a person’s religious or spiritual beliefs, or their cultural values as key components of the work being done.