Aging: An overview for mental health counselors

Aloha' health counseling with older persons is an emerging specialty, stimulated by changing demographics and dramatic increases in the numbers of older persons during this century. Because mast mental health counselors can expect to encounter older persons and their families with increasing frequency, an understanding of normative developmental issues and transitions is imperative. In addition, the "social breakdown syndrome" provides a useful model for implementing mental health interventions in later life. Similarities and differences in counseling older persons are discussed, with an emphasis on the importance of recognizing countertransference reactions on the part of the mental health counselor when working with older clients A brief review of outcome research reflects a need for all practitioners to evaluate outcomes when using the techniques discussed in this issue in counseling with older persons