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)
Description: 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. 