An Introduction to Psychodynamic Approaches to Later Life

This intensive one-day seminar provides an introduction to psychodynamic approaches to understanding conscious and unconscious factors in human development and ageing, and to psychodynamic thinking about early development and its relevance to later life.

It offers an introduction to the thinking that has been developed in the Old Age Unit of the Tavistock Clinic. Lectures and group discussion of issues of central concern in later life include: intimacy and sexuality; approaches to thinking about dementia and dementia care; and the psychodynamic observational method as applied in old age settings.

The course aims to:

• Deepen your understanding of the developmental issues of later life and their relevance in mental health work with older adults
• Discuss psychodynamic theory and approaches to working with issues of later life such as dementia
• Develop an understanding of the psychodynamic observational approach and reflect on the diverse pressures, including ethnic, cultural and socio-economic factors operating within old age settings
• Explore both individual and group process that interfere with good working practice in health care settings for older people
• Introduce psychodynamic approaches to understanding organisational issues and dynamics in mental health settings for older people
  

The day will be of interest to people working with older adults, including staff and managers in NHS and Social Care Services as well as the Voluntary Sector, and may be a useful introduction for those contemplating applying for the two-year postgraduate course, Psychodynamic Approaches to Old Age.

New dates for this course will be advertised shortly.  If you are interested in participating and/or receiving further details, please contact:

Vicky Harrison
020 8938 2548
events@tavi-port.org