Cognitive-behavior therapy in older adults: A case involving sexual functioning

✍ Scribed by Martha R. Crowther; Antonette M. Zeiss

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1999
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 119 KB
• Volume: 55
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0021-9762
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-4679(199908)55:8<961::aid-jclp5>3.0.co;2-r

✦ Synopsis

Cognitive-behavior therapy is an approach that emphasizes bringing about change in areas of concern to clients. The process is grounded in a collaborative therapeutic relationship in which clients' strengths as well as problems are explicitly recognized. Therapy guidelines are presented and illustrated with the case of a 78-year-old widowed female client whose presenting complaint was guilt about masturbation. In this case illustration, a number of cognitive and behavioral strategies for treating sexual dysfunctions are presented, including the use of daily thought records, training in challenging negative beliefs; the use of psychoeducational information (for example, about aging and sexuality); using mood monitoring and activity tracking; relaxation training; and the use of training in more effective strategies for handling problems. Overall, the case example illustrates that respect for the client's deeply held beliefs about sexuality can be combined with psychoeducational and therapeutic interventions to offer new options to the client.