When working with older clients--or clients who have become
"instantly old" due to disability--can a professional's personal
feelings affect the helping process? Countertransference and Older
Clients explores this issue and focuses on the use of
countertransference--the powerful linkage between a helper's
personal feelings and his/her professional work. This practical
volume shows helping professionals how to confront and examine
their own denial, fear of growing old, being helpless, and dying,
anger related to death and loss, and their need for control.
Contributors address such issues as how practitioners "overhelp"
and "underhelp" some clients because of their feelings and
experiences; how personal and family biases contribute to
inappropriate diagnosis, referral, and treatment; why service is
prolonged with some clients and terminated too soon with others;
and how fear of AIDS, death, and suicide hinder effective support
and treatment. In addition, actual case studies are woven
throughout to illustrate how practitioners can effectively put
their feelings and behaviors to use during the helping process.
Written for practitioners in the field of aging, mental health,
social work, nursing, psychology, and psychiatry,
Countertransference and Older Clients is an important therapeutic
tool for all helping professionals. "Throughout this clear,
concise, interesting little book, the authors communicate a warmth
and sensitivity to the needs and feelings of both helpers and older
clients. One interesting feature is the inclusion of a chapter
written by an older worker, an often neglected perspective in
gerontological literature." --Journal of Psychology and Theology
"Bonnie Genevay and Renee Katz have made an enormous contribution
to gerontological practice by focusing on the conscious and
unconscious attitudes and feelings of practitioners toward their
older clients, which enhance or diminish their helpfulness to older
people. In this very useful volume they and other experts cover a
wide range of problematic situations including disability,
dementia, and dying with empathy. Teachers and supervisors as well
as those working in direct practice will find this book highly
instructive." --Barbara Silverstone, Executive Director, The
Lighthouse (The New York Association for the Blind) "This unique
text approaches many aspects of aging and countertransference of
caregivers, not elsewhere seen in the vast array of gerontological
publications. It provides a sensitive and compassionate
presentation of the various issues and problems of
countertransference experienced by individuals providing care to
elders in a variety of difficult situations. I highly recommend
this text for its unique content, warmth of presentation and
insights into relationships with the old. I have come away enriched
and enlightened." --Priscilla Ebersoll, Ph.D., San Francisco State
University "This book is a must for anyone who works with older
clients. It contains dozens of case examples of how our own desires
and fears about aging and conditions associated with it interfere
with our capacity to function as professionals should. It is full
of suggestions for dealing constructively with our emotional
reactions that occur in the conduct of our professional lives. It
deals with important topics such as terminal illness and death,
suicidal elders, disability, and AIDS. It is clear, concise, and
very useful." --Robert C. Atchley, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
"A profound respect and caring for both older clients and service
providers permeate each chapter. . . . The book is exceptionally
strong in its comprehensive and sensitive review of issues that
many of us do not like to face--how our own fears and attitudes
about aging may interfere with our professional effectiveness.
Included are topics that have not been adequately dealt with
elsewhere. . . . By clearly and sensitively highlighting the
importance of self-awareness to professional effectiveness, the
authors have made a significant contribution to the practice
literature, and ultimately to practice with older adults."
--Generations "This book makes a major contribution to the field by
supplying numerous sensitive and revealing examples of personal
emotional reactions to working with older adults. It should be read
by everyone who counsels older adults and by students aspiring to
careers in serving the elderly." --Bob G. Knight, Merle H.
Bensinger Associate Professor, Gerontology and Psychology
University of Southern California "The book's strength--an
important one--lies in its conciseness of writing and clarity. It
is an easy read! Yet it offers valuable insights and practical
suggestions. The topics too, while diverse, are pulled into a
homogeneous frame so as to make the book extremely cohesive, not
easy in an edited work. The offering of case histories makes the
book come alive as the reader becomes enmeshed in the
dialogue/scenario going on between client and worker. . . . The
book should make a genuine impact on the field of aging, promoting
growth in workers and clients alike." --Clinical Gerontologist
"Countertransference and Older Clients offers a well-written
collection of articles by several authors dealing with aging, loss,
disability, and death. It explores feelings that emerge between
professional caregivers and their elderly clients in various
settings. Other topics include suicidal elders, AIDS and HIV
illness, dementia, substance abuse, sexuality, and nursing home
placement. Good case examples are provided. . . . . A valuable
addition to the body of knowledge for professionals working with
older adults." --NASW California News
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
