Find an Aging and Geriatric Issues Therapist

Understanding aging and geriatric issues

Aging brings practical, emotional, and social changes that affect quality of life. Geriatric issues cover a wide range of concerns that often occur as people grow older - changes in health and mobility, evolving family roles, retirement and identity shifts, losses and grief, isolation, medication management challenges, and the stress of being a caregiver. While aging is a normal part of life, these transitions can bring unexpected emotional reactions and complex decisions. Therapy can help you or your loved one adapt, build coping strategies, and find meaningful ways to manage everyday challenges.

Signs that you or a loved one might benefit from therapy

You may want to seek a therapist if you notice prolonged changes in mood, motivation, or daily functioning that make it harder to enjoy activities or manage responsibilities. Common signs include persistent sadness or anxiety, withdrawing from friends or activities you used to enjoy, increasing difficulty sleeping or eating, trouble concentrating, or a decline in problem-solving and decision-making related to daily tasks. Caregivers often reach out when stress becomes overwhelming, when sleep and health suffer, or when feelings of resentment, guilt, or burnout grow. Therapy can also be a helpful space to work through grief after the loss of a partner, friend, or role, and to process complex family dynamics that arise during late life.

What to expect in therapy for aging and geriatric issues

When you begin therapy, the clinician will typically start with an assessment to understand your current circumstances, medical context, social supports, and goals. This assessment may include questions about mood, sleep, daily routines, caregiving responsibilities, and any cognitive changes you or your family have noticed. You and the therapist will set practical goals - for example, improving mood, managing stress, increasing social connection, or developing strategies to cope with memory changes.

Assessment and goal setting

Expect the first few sessions to focus on listening and gathering information. The therapist may ask about medications, medical conditions, and other providers who are involved in care so they can coordinate recommendations. If you have a caregiver or family member participating, the therapist will clarify roles and boundaries for joint sessions. Goals are personalized and may change over time as you make progress or as circumstances shift.

Session structure and practical focus

Sessions often blend emotional support with practical problem solving. You might work on coping skills to reduce anxiety or improve sleep, learn ways to manage caregiver stress, practice communication techniques for difficult family conversations, or engage in life review and reminiscence to strengthen identity and meaning. Therapists will generally match the pace and structure of sessions to your energy and attention span, and may suggest shorter or more frequent meetings if that better suits your needs.

Common therapeutic approaches used

Therapists use a range of evidence-informed approaches for aging and geriatric concerns. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, is often adapted to address insomnia, anxiety, and low mood by focusing on thoughts and behaviors that contribute to distress. Problem-solving therapy helps you break down practical challenges and create manageable steps. Life review and reminiscence therapy invite reflection on meaningful memories and achievements to reinforce a sense of identity and legacy. Family therapy can improve communication and decision-making when multiple relatives are involved in care. Grief-focused therapy supports processing bereavement and ambiguous loss. Mindfulness and stress-management techniques can reduce physiological stress and improve emotional regulation. Therapists often combine approaches based on your goals and preferences.

How online therapy works for aging and geriatric issues

Online therapy can be a practical option if mobility, transportation, or scheduling are barriers. You can meet by video, phone, or messaging depending on what the therapist offers and what feels most accessible to you. Video sessions let the therapist observe nonverbal cues and create a similar experience to in-person meetings, while phone sessions can be easier if hearing or internet access is limited. If you plan to do online therapy, choose a comfortable, private space in your home for sessions and test your device and connection ahead of time. You may want to use headphones, increase text size on the screen, or enable captions if available.

When using online services, you can still involve family or caregivers in sessions when appropriate. Therapists may offer joint sessions to facilitate conversations about care decisions or to coach caregivers on stress management and communication. Some clinicians also offer hybrid care - combining occasional in-person visits with remote follow-ups - which can be helpful for people who prefer both formats.

Practical tips for choosing the right therapist

Look for a therapist who lists geriatric experience or training with older adults, memory concerns, caregiving issues, or palliative and end-of-life care if those areas are relevant. Consider these practical factors when comparing providers:

• Training and specialties: Ask about experience with aging-related issues and any additional certifications or continuing education in gerontology.

Beyond credentials, think about the therapist's style and availability. You may prefer someone who focuses on short-term problem solving, or you may want a therapist who supports longer-term exploration of meaning and identity. Ask how they involve family members, how they coordinate with medical providers, and what accommodations they offer for hearing or visual impairments. Check whether they accept your insurance or offer sliding scale fees, and confirm whether they are licensed to practice in your state if you plan to use remote services across state lines.

Questions to ask during an initial contact

When you first reach out, a few practical questions can help you decide if a clinician is a good fit: What is your experience working with older adults? How do you involve family or caregivers? What therapy approaches do you use for memory-related concerns or grief? Do you offer flexible session lengths or assistive accommodations? A brief phone or video consultation can give you a sense of rapport and whether their approach matches your needs.

Working with caregivers and family members

Caregivers often benefit from their own space to process emotions, build coping strategies, and learn communication or boundary-setting skills. Therapists can support caregivers by offering education about stress management, discussing ways to balance care responsibilities with personal needs, and facilitating family meetings to plan care. If you are the person receiving care, therapy can also help you express preferences, strengthen autonomy, and navigate the emotional aspects of receiving help.

Final considerations

Choosing a therapist is a personal decision, and it is okay to try a few clinicians before finding the right fit. You may prioritize clinical expertise, cultural competence, accessibility, or a therapeutic style that feels respectful and collaborative. If you are assisting a loved one, involve them in the selection process as much as possible and respect their preferences for how therapy is delivered. With the right support, therapy can offer practical tools, emotional relief, and a space to make thoughtful decisions during later-life transitions.

When you are ready, use the listings above to find a therapist who specializes in aging and geriatric issues and reach out for an initial consultation to learn more about their approach and availability.