Couples Therapy for Aging Adults

This presentation aims to equip mental health providers with the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver effective care to older adults in couples therapy. This presentation will establish foundational knowledge of lifespan development concepts, which encompass cognitive, socio-cultural, spiritual, career, family, and physical changes throughout life stages (Kuther, 2023; McGoldrick, Garcia Preto, & Carter, 2016; Parsons, Peluso, & Watts, 2013). A focus will also be placed on Clinical Geropsychology, addressing common therapeutic concerns related to aging, such as cognitive decline, emotional well-being, and interpersonal dynamics (Forstmeier, 2020). Understanding the biological, psychological, and social changes that occur in later life is crucial for identifying and addressing the unique challenges faced by older couples (Driscoll & Hughes, 2022).

The presentation will also explore the importance of cultural humility in therapy, emphasizing the need to consider sexual orientation, gender, race, culture, and ethnicity in treatment (Kuther, 2023). It will discuss combating ageist stereotypes and understanding the implications of an ageist mentality on therapeutic relationship. Topics such as sexuality in older adults, caregiver dynamics, and health concerns, including chronic illness and disability, will be explored (McGoldrick, Garcia Preto, & Carter, 2016; Riekkola et al., 2024). The presentation will also introduce therapeutic approaches and interventions such as systemic integration of gerontology and marriage and family therapy.

After attending this introductory-level program, participants will be able to:

• Explain key concepts of lifespan development to support aging adults in couple’s therapy, including the cognitive, socio-cultural, spiritual, career, family, and physical changes that occur in aging adults, and their implications for couples therapy.
• Develop and implement tailored couples therapy treatment and interventions that address the specific needs of aging adults, including navigating issues such as cultural humility, changing sexual dynamics, caregiving roles, and decline in health conditions.

This program meets APA’s continuing education STANDARD 1.3: Program content focuses on topics related to psychological practice, education, or research other than application of psychological assessment and/or intervention methods that are supported by contemporary scholarship grounded in established research procedures.

This program meets APA’s continuing education GOAL 3: Program will allow psychologists to maintain, develop, and increase competencies in order to improve services to the public and enhance contributions to the profession.

General Admission: $30

The Chicago School Faculty/Staff/Alumni/Site Supervisors: $20*

The Chicago School Students: $15*

(Please email [email protected] for coupon code)

Refund Policy: 100% of tuition is refundable up to 48 hours before the program. Within 48 hours of the program, and at any point in Homestudy format, tuition is nonrefundable.

Christine Nazarian, Psy.D, LMFT, AT-R; Faculty in Marriage and Family Therapy Department

Dr. Christine Nazarian is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Registered Art Therapist, and holds a Psychology Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has been in practice since 2016 and worked in community mental health (DMH), school based, hospital setting, and group private practice. Since 2020, she has a private practice in California providing psychotherapy for individuals, couples, and families with anxiety, depression, trauma, and relational adjustments. She is an AAMFT Supervisor Candidate and teaches Practicum courses for MFT trainees. Dr. Nazarian a professor and core faculty at The Chicago School- Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy Program in Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Nazarian has experience in providing workshops and training for clinicians and other medical care provides in various settings. She has experiences in teaching M.A. and doctoral courses in topics from this program content, including lifespan development, couples and family therapy, theoretical practices, and treatment planning/ interventions. She has knowledge related to couple’s therapy for aging adults related issues and supporting clinicians provide appropriate care.

Buehler, S. (2017). What every mental health professional needs to know about sex (Second Edition). Springer Publishing Company, LLC.

Driscoll, J. J., & Hughes, A. A. (2022). Sexuality of aging adults: A case study using narrative therapy. Contemporary Family Therapy, 44(4), 373–380. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-021-09589-3

Forstmeier, S. (2020). Clinical geropsychology. GeroPsych, 33(2), 53–54. https://doi.org/10.1024/1662-9647/a000236

Fowler, K. (2017, October 25). Sexual health in retirement communities. A Place for Mom. https://www.aplaceformom.com/caregiver-resources/articles/sexual-health-in-retirement-communities

Kuther, T. L. (2023). Lifespan development in context: A topical approach (Second edition). SAGE Publications Inc.

McGoldrick, M., Garcia Preto, N., & Carter, B. (Eds.). (2016). The expanding family life cycle: Individual, family, and social perspectives (5th ed.). Pearson.

Parsons, M., Peluso, P. R., & Watts, R. E. (2013). Changing aging, changing family therapy: Practicing with 21st century realities (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203866702

PREP Educational Products, Inc. (n.d.). About PREP. Retrieved July 30, 2024, from https://prepinc.com/pages/about-prep

Riekkola, J., Isaksson, G., Lilja, M., & Rutberg, S. (2024). Possibilities and challenges for older couples to continue ageing in place. Journal of Aging Studies, 69, 101229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2024.101229

Target Audience: Mental health providers and Masters and Doctoral students. Candidates seeking licensure as psychologists in California, as it meets prelicensure requirements. 

Psychologists. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 1.5 continuing education credits. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in its continuing education activities. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is also committed to conducting all activities in conformity with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles for Psychologists. Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program. If program content becomes stressful, participants are encouraged to process these feelings during discussion periods. 

Counselors/Clinical Counselors. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 1.5 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for counselors and clinical counselors. License Number: 197.000159

Social Workers. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 1.5 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for social workers. License Number: 159.001036

MFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs. Course meets the qualifications for 1.5 hours of continuing education credit for MFTs, LPCCs, and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. If you are licensed outside of California please check with your local licensing agency to to determine if they will accept these CEUs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to offer continuing education programming for MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, and/or LCSWs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is an accredited or approved postsecondary institution that meets the requirements set forth in Sections 4980.54(f)(1), 4989.34, 4996.22(d)(1), or 4999.76(d) of the Code.

Non-Psychologists. Most licensing boards accept Continuing Education Credits sponsored by the American Psychological Association but non-psychologists are recommended to consult with their specific state-licensing board to ensure that APA-sponsored CE is acceptable.

*Participants must attend 100% of the program in order to obtain a Certificate of Attendance.

If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address questions, concerns and any complaints to [email protected]. There is no commercial support for this program nor are there any relationships between the CE Sponsor, presenting organization, presenter, program content, research, grants, or other funding that could reasonably be construed as conflicts of interest.