Dementia Counselling in GU2
Hi there, I am an experienced Clinical Psychologist, trained to understand the different ways in which psychological distress can present itself and impact upon people’s lives. The breadth of my training and clinical experience enables me to draw upon different therapeutic approaches, thus allowing for a flexible approach, tailored to a person's needs and own set of circumstances. I will aim to help you better understand the underlying causes of your difficulties, supporting you along the way to make meaningful changes in the way you approach difficult situations in your work, with your partner or family, and in your social life.
Hi there, I am an experienced Clinical Psychologist, trained to understand the different ways in which psychological distress can present itself and impact upon people’s lives. The breadth of my training and clinical experience enables me to draw upon different therapeutic approaches, thus allowing for a flexible approach, tailored to a person's needs and own set of circumstances. I will aim to help you better understand the underlying causes of your difficulties, supporting you along the way to make meaningful changes in the way you approach difficult situations in your work, with your partner or family, and in your social life.
Hello, my name is Maria and I'm an experienced, professional BACP counsellor. I recognise you've taken a bold step to reach out for help and it can be daunting to find a therapist who you can trust and connect with. Being sensitive, curious, non judgemental, along with a sense of humour enables my clients to feel safe, to be open and vulnerable with themselves and others. Perhaps your experiencing difficulties with life, relationships or work and cope by keeping busy, numbing yourself or avoiding your thoughts and feelings. These strategies may leave you feeling anxious, stressed, lonely or depressed if not dealt with.
Hello, my name is Maria and I'm an experienced, professional BACP counsellor. I recognise you've taken a bold step to reach out for help and it can be daunting to find a therapist who you can trust and connect with. Being sensitive, curious, non judgemental, along with a sense of humour enables my clients to feel safe, to be open and vulnerable with themselves and others. Perhaps your experiencing difficulties with life, relationships or work and cope by keeping busy, numbing yourself or avoiding your thoughts and feelings. These strategies may leave you feeling anxious, stressed, lonely or depressed if not dealt with.
I consider myself to be a warm, caring and approachable person. I know that coming for counselling takes great courage and I will do my utmost to help you feel at ease. I trained in an integrative approach to counselling, this allows me to tailor therapy, to meet each individual client's needs. I believe that people are unique human beings, who have the potential to make the most of their lives. I have considerable experience of working with nervous illness including, anxiety, depression, OCD, diversity, age related issues and also a wide range of personal problems and relationship problems.
I consider myself to be a warm, caring and approachable person. I know that coming for counselling takes great courage and I will do my utmost to help you feel at ease. I trained in an integrative approach to counselling, this allows me to tailor therapy, to meet each individual client's needs. I believe that people are unique human beings, who have the potential to make the most of their lives. I have considerable experience of working with nervous illness including, anxiety, depression, OCD, diversity, age related issues and also a wide range of personal problems and relationship problems.
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Dementia Counsellors
Can dementia patients benefit from counselling?
Dementia patients can often benefit significantly from counselling. While neurologists typically treat dementia itself, counsellors provide crucial emotional support for patients and their families. Therapists specializing in dementia can help clients navigate aging, end-of-life issues, social isolation, sleep challenges, and grief. They can also assist clients in adapting to the disease by addressing caregiving concerns and supporting family members. Counsellors will often also collaborate with a patient's neurologist or other medical providers to manage dementia symptoms and medication needs.
How can you tell if someone has dementia or Alzheimer's?
To determine if someone has dementia or Alzheimer's disease, there are several signs and diagnostic methods that medical professionals use. Early signs of dementia often include memory loss, difficulty with problem-solving, and challenges in completing familiar tasks. Diagnosing dementia or Alzheimer's requires a comprehensive approach, as there is no single definitive test, and initial diagnosis can sometimes be difficult as symptoms tend to worsen progressively over time. To make a diagnosis, medical professionals typically use a combination of methods, including standardized questionnaires and cognitive tests to assess memory, attention, and problem-solving skills, psychiatric evaluations to understand mental health status, brain scans to look for physical changes in the brain, as well as other medical tests to rule out other conditions.
What are the first-line treatment options for Alzheimer’s disease?
There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, but catching the disease in its early-to-moderate phases can be beneficial in order to initiate first-line treatments to help manage symptoms. Medications such as galantamine, rivastigmine, and donepezil are examples of cholinesterase inhibitors that are commonly prescribed for Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, working with a therapist or social worker can also often help patients with the disease address common behavioural and lifestyle concerns, such as anxiety, depression, irritability, sleep problems, social support, and housing changes.
When to seek treatment for Alzheimer’s?
It’s best to seek treatment at the first signs of Alzheimer's. Early warning signs of Alzheimer’s include memory problems, such as forgetting appointments or directions, as well as trouble concentrating, paying attention, retrieving words, and carrying out daily household tasks. An early diagnosis can help people slow the progression of the disease with medication and plan for the future in terms of housing, social/caregiving support, and finances.