Exploring Psychotherapy for People with Dementia

08/11/2025 43 min
Exploring Psychotherapy for People with Dementia

Listen "Exploring Psychotherapy for People with Dementia"

Episode Synopsis

In this episode, host Dr Anna Volkmer is joined by Dr Alys Griffiths, Sophie Jeffery, and Esther Whittlesea Reed to explore a two-year Alzheimer’s Society project testing #psychotherapy for people with dementia. Together, they discuss the importance of therapy in #dementia care, the barriers to access, the development of new therapist competencies, and the lived experience of psychotherapy from both clinical and personal perspectives.
--

Takeaways

🔹Psychotherapy can provide meaningful outcomes for people with dementia.
🔹Barriers to accessing therapy include stigma and lack of understanding.
🔹Core competencies for therapists are essential for effective care.
🔹Family therapy is crucial for supporting families affected by dementia.
🔹Training for therapists should include specific skills for working with dementia patients.
🔹Research findings highlight the need for better communication about therapy options.
🔹The importance of lived experience in shaping research and therapy.
🔹Future research should focus on improving access to therapy for families.
🔹There is a need for a cultural shift in how dementia is perceived in therapy.
--

Find more information on our guests, and a full transcript of this podcast on our website at: https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/podcast
--

Follow us on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
https://www.twitter.com/demrescommunity
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher
https://www.bsky.app/profile/dementiare…archer.bsky.social
--

Download and Register with our Community App:

https://www.onelink.to/dementiaresearcher
--

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Project Overview
04:40 Background and Rationale for Psychotherapy in Dementia
09:20 Personal Experiences and Expectations of Therapy
13:52 Study Design and Methodology
18:33 Roles and Contributions of the Research Team
23:16 Collaborative Insights from Lived Experience
24:42 Key Findings on Psychotherapy for Dementia
27:58 Core Competencies for Therapists
31:45 Understanding Dementia as a Traumatic Life Event
34:46 Future Directions in Dementia Research
40:21 Advocating for Comprehensive Support in Dementia Care