Aging and Spirituality Integrated Psychotherapy

This course examines the theory, research and practice of evidence-based spiritual care and spiritually integrated psychotherapy in the field of aging. The course looks at a variety of theories on aging and ways of helping the elderly. There is a focus on various evidence-based modalities for working with the elderly, including spiritually integrated psychotherapy, narrative, person-centred, and solution-focused therapies. The course engages theories of human growth and invites students to examine their own awareness and safe and effective use of self in working with the elderly. Case studies from the literature will be integrated into the class discussions to explore topics such as stereotypes about aging, changes in lifestyles in later life, psychosocial, cultural and spiritual issues, dementia and mental health issues, and death and dying. The course emphasizes the strengths, wisdom and resilience of the elderly.

The course utilizes an adult education approach in which students are expected to bring their experiences either from their own lives and/or from their clinical placements and their thoughts on the written material. There will be discussion, role plays, observation and feedback on role plays (using learning from the course) and self-awareness exercises in the course. The hope is that the course will facilitate transformation.