practice

It still amazes me when I hear about some of the stereotypes that people have about psychotherapy, especially, it seems, with older adults who have ideas about psychotherapy that come straight out of the 1950s. Fortunately, psychologists now have a number of different "tools" to use in order to facilitate change. These days, psychotherapy can range from really brief (e.g., lasting for just a few sessions) to long-term (e.g., lasting several years).

At the end of May, I completed a practicum rotation in a long term care facility (aka nursing home). I discovered that I love working in that setting and its something that I hope to gain more experience with while I'm on internship.

Last night I was honored with the 2010 Psychological Society of the Pikes Peak Region Outstanding Graduate Student Award. My mentor Dan Segal (with me in the photo) gave a nice speech about the work we've done together over the past 3 years. I am truly fortunate to have Dan as a mentor and to be in a graduate program where I am encouraged thrive!

On February 10th, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) released the proposed draft of diagnostic criteria for DSM-5 on its website www.dsm5.org. Publication of the new DSM is scheduled for May 2013. The proposed diagnostic criteria will be available on the website for public comment until April 20, 2010. APA is inviting health professionals, consumers of mental health services, and family members to visit the site to review and comment on the draft criteria.

Summer is a great time to make a dent in the pile of books that I want to read, but never get a chance to throughout the academic year. In June, I read Dr. Irvin Yalom's most recent book, "Staring at the Sun: Overcoming the Terror of Death." Yes, this is the type of book I read for fun. :-)

Today marked the end of the fifth and final Aging and Mental Health Conference, hosted by the Gerontology Center at UCCS. The topic of this year's conference was "Integrated Health Care for Older Adults." The conference co-chairs were Sara Honn Qualls, Ph.D. and Deborah King, Ph.D. of the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, NY.

I've gotten a few questions recently on how one becomes a geropsychologist. While there are many paths leading to a career in geropsychology, here is one of the most efficient routes:

1) Get a bachelor's degree in Psychology: if not Psychology, another social science (e.g., Sociology) or physical science (e.g., Biology) is also helpful, as long as you take enough Psychology classes to get a basic, broad understanding of the field.

The Council of Professional Geropsychology Training Programs (CoPGTP) has created an evaluation tool using the Pikes Peak Geropsychology competencies. The purpose of the tool is twofold: (1) for psychologists to evaluate their on-going training needs and (2) for supervisors to evaluate geropsych graduate students' development during a training program.

Dr. Ken Pope has compiled a cross-disciplinary list of over 100 links to complete copies of codes, guidelines, and standards for psychotherapy and assessment.

One of programs I was involved in at the CU Aging Center this year was the At Home Mental Health Service program. We partner with a local social service agency for seniors to provide therapy for clients in their homes. These individuals typically have a number of physical or emotional problems that make it difficult for them to leave their homes to obtain services.