Introduction of a university‐based counselling service for older adults

Abstract

This paper describes the potential benefits of the clinic for clients and students and the resources needed to support this model of service delivery. Thus, it provides a blueprint for other universities for developing similar services for older adults.

Counselling Older Adults Living in Residential Aged Care Settings: Four Illustrative Case Studies

“…The students were supervised by experienced psychologists and other mental health-care practitioners (e.g., on-site social worker) and were provided with face-to-face education in geropsychology (Bhar & Silver, 2014). The students were supervised by experienced psychologists and other mental health-care practitioners (e.g., on-site social worker) and were provided with face-to-face education in geropsychology (Bhar & Silver, 2014).…”

“…Hence, the clinic served two aims: It provided psychological services within residential aged care facilities, settings that typically do not have on-site psychologists; and it allowed students to develop competencies in clinical geropsychology. The students were supervised by experienced psychologists and other mental health-care practitioners (e.g., on-site social worker) and were provided with face-to-face education in geropsychology (Bhar & Silver, 2014). In this way, students were able to provide services that were informed by critical reflection and by evidence-based and practice-based models of care.…”

“…The services were provided by postgraduate psychology students through the Wellbeing Clinic for Older Adults, auspiced by the Swinburne University of Technology in Australia (Bhar & Silver, 2014). The services were provided by postgraduate psychology students through the Wellbeing Clinic for Older Adults, auspiced by the Swinburne University of Technology in Australia (Bhar & Silver, 2014).…”

“…This article presents four case studies to illustrate the ways in which psychology services can impact positively on the wellbeing of residents of aged care facilities. The services were provided by postgraduate psychology students through the Wellbeing Clinic for Older Adults, auspiced by the Swinburne University of Technology in Australia (Bhar & Silver, 2014). As described in Bhar and Silver (2014), the clinic operated as a placement opportunity for students enrolled in a postgraduate programme in counselling or clinical psychology.…”

“…The services were provided by postgraduate psychology students through the Wellbeing Clinic for Older Adults, auspiced by the Swinburne University of Technology in Australia (Bhar & Silver, 2014). As described in Bhar and Silver (2014), the clinic operated as a placement opportunity for students enrolled in a postgraduate programme in counselling or clinical psychology. Supervision was provided by the academic staff of the university, while on-site consultation was provided by allied health staff (e.g., social worker).…”