Main

Steffan AM. Cogn Behav Pract 2012; 19: 155–160

This is one of two commentaries on a series of articles published in this edition of the journal exploring CBT with older adults. CBT has been used in dental care to support those with debilitating psychological disorders. It is invariably carried out in secondary care. Briefly, CBT assists the client to reflect on themselves, other people and issues, and on how what they do can affect these (http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinfoforall/treatments/cbt.aspx). Some of the articles in this journal use clinical vignettes to help 'Tim' or 'Mrs Smith' manage conditions such as depression or compulsive hoarding. Despite older adults often 'preferring nonpharmacological treatments over medication', CBT may not be entirely generalisable as it was developed with younger people. This therapy requires between 5 and 20 sessions. The cost implications of treating those with 'greater comorbidity and fewer remaining years' were not examined, possibly because such discussions are 'inherently ageist'.