San Francisco Treatment Research Center

Cognitive behavioral psychotherapy is readily adaptable to use with older adults. This review integrates discussion of cognitive and behavioral intervention techniques with recent research and clinical observations in the field of gerontology. Cognitive changes with aging, personality and emotional development, cohort effects, and the social environment of older adults are discussed in relation to psychotherapy. Applications of cognitive behaivor therapy to specific late life problems such as chronic illness and disability, depression, alcoholism and insomnia are presented. The effectiveness of cognitive and behavioral techniques in treating these disorders in older adults is discussed.