Abstract
As a result of population growth and epidemiological transition, the demand for health services among older adults is exponentially increasing, for this age group requires specialized care due to the specificities of this stage of life. As in other age groups, older adults are often exposed to emotional disorders that cannot be handled by themselves, thus requiring psychological counseling - a service that can be offered by the outpatient care service in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). Yet, discussions addressing psychotherapy with older adults are still rather scarce within the field of Psychology, which imposes practical challenges to the professionals. Thus, this qualitative research sought to understand the predominant demands of older adults in an Outpatient Clinic at a teaching hospital in Pernambuco, as well as the professional management and performance in psychotherapy with geriatric population. Data were collected by means of a semi-structured interview conducted with seven psychologists and analyzed in the light of Minayo’s content analysis. The results indicate that some age-related stereotypes can interfere negatively with the therapeutic process, with a considerable number of older individuals presenting depressive symptoms who have searched for psychological counseling. This study advanced knowledge on the extent of professional performance, limitations, and potential progress, besides highlighting the need for training regarding the management of aging issues within the field of Clinical Psychology.
Keywords:
Elderly; Psychotherapy; Clinical Setting; Unified Health System