life review therapy

Indications

• moderate depression in older adults

Clinical significance

• superior to usual treatment
• better response in extroverts

Procedure

• group therapy, 3 hour sessions
• structured review of the participant's life
  • coping with past negative experiences & conflicts
  • positive memories
  • finding positive meaning to life
• patients are encouraged to develop alternative life stories
  • responsibility for past choices
  • formulation of future goals

More general terms

• psychotherapy