This course will address how depression & anxiety in late life compromise the quality of life in older adults. The students will be assisted to deepen their understanding of the thought process of those with depression and anxiety. They will learn how MBCT could help improve the disorder and see MBCT as a viable non-pharmacology intervention. The scientific evidence for the effectiveness of mindfulness interventions for mental health issues and, specifically, MBCT for prevention of relapse of depression and anxiety will be discussed. The step-by-step components of 8 sessions of MBCT will be discussed and students will have opportunities to practice the skills. They will learn the differences in approaches between MBCT and CBT. Adaptations made to accommodate working with older populations will be discussed in detail. The results of pre-post outcome data and qualitative evaluation of the MBCT groups the instructor led with local older adults will be shared. The roles that a MBCT therapist plays and the training needed will be discussed.
Pathway Elective For
- Interpersonal Practice in Integrated Health, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse
- Social Work Practice with Older Adults and Families from a Lifespan Perspective (Host)
Objectives
- Students will gain understanding of late-life depression and the challenges older adults face in diagnosis and in treatment.
- Students will learn what mindfulness is, both theoretically and experientially.
- Students will gain understanding of the background history of MBCT and theories on the benefits it provides.
- Students will learn the specifics of MBCT components including assessment for potential participants and descriptions for eight sessions.
- Students will learn why it is important for a MBCT therapist to embody mindfulness and compassion to become an effective facilitator.
- Students will have opportunities for hands-on, experiential, and direct application of a variety of MBCT intervention tools throughout the class.
- Students will learn about scientific studies on the subject, including the neuroscience on the effectiveness of MBCT intervention and mindfulness training.
- Students will learn ethical issues in providing mindfulness training as a practitioner.
Intensive Focus on Privilege, Oppression, Diversity and Social Justice (PODS)
This course integrates PODS content and skills with a special emphasis on the identification of theories, practice and/or policies that promote social justice, illuminate injustices and are consistent with scientific and professional knowledge. Through the use of a variety of instructional methods, this course will support students developing a vision of social justice, learn to recognize and reduce mechanisms that support oppression and injustice, work toward social justice processes, apply intersectionality and intercultural frameworks and strengthen critical consciousness, self-knowledge and self-awareness to facilitate PODS learning.