The number of mental health providers with specialty training in treating older adults falls staggeringly short of the need. There is a severe shortage of geriatric mental health professionals (Jeste, et al, 1999; Halpain et al, 1999; See also Qualls et al., 2002). Currently, we have only 55% of needed psychiatrists, 18% of needed social workers, and 10% of needed psychologists. By 2030, it is estimated that we will only have 27% of needed psychiatrists, 9% of needed social workers, and 5% of needed psychologists. There is a drastic need to prime the pipeline of geriatric mental health professionals!
The Training & Career section provides resources related to training at each academic level of professional psychology, and for those who are post-licensure. Our list of continuing education options will be growing as we identify existing and new opportunities. GeroCentral also plans to develop our own series of webinars over time.
There are also many opportunities for providing or receiving mentoring at any level of training or career development through GeroCentral partner organizations. The Mentoring section provides opportunities and resources related to mentoring.
Find opportunities for research training in the Research section and in Fellowships.
Check out the Geropsychology Council of Specialties Taxonomy 2021.
Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Programs (GWEPs) also provide training across the country. Funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the GWEP’s purpose is to improve health outcomes for older adults by developing a healthcare workforce that maximizes patient and family engagement, and by integrating geriatrics and primary care. The goals of this program are: 1) to educate and train the primary care and geriatrics workforce to care for older adults in integrated geriatrics and primary care models, and 2) to partner with community based organizations (CBOs) to address gaps in healthcare for older adults, promote age-friendly health systems and dementia-friendly communities, and address the social determinants of health. Find your local GWEP on 2019 GWEP Grantee List.
APA Careers in Aging Roadmap, A step-by-step educational roadmap to help undergraduate and graduate students find a career in aging. More information is available here: Exploring Careers in Aging Roadmap Flyer
| “My training / practice setting doesn’t have a geropsychology specialty. What should I do?” | |
| LEVEL OF TRAINING | RECOMMENDED TRAINING ACTIVITIES |
| Undergraduate | Volunteer at settings serving older adults / Participate in community outreach to elderly populations: e.g., nursing homes, visiting elders living alone, Geriatric clinics |
| Participate in aging research (Departments of Psychology, Social Work, Human Development, Gerontology) | |
| Coursework in topics involving aging: e.g., Developmental Psychology, Aging & Human Development | |
| Pursue practicum options in organizations serving elderly and/or medically vulnerable populations: e.g., Agency on Aging, Caregiver Resource Centers | |
| Explore careers related to aging | |
| Graduate | Coursework in topics related to normal and/or pathological aging: e.g., Neuropsychology, Health Psychology, Human Development, Minority Psychology |
| Pursue practicum options in organizations serving elderly and/or medically vulnerable populations: e.g., Agency on Aging, Alzheimer’s Association | |
| Internship | Internship rotations involving older populations: e.g., Medical Psychology, Behavioral Medicine, Neuropsychological Assessment / Memory Clinic, Hospice & Palliative Care, Home-Based Primary Care, Veterans Affairs medical centers |
| Didadic opportunities on aging-related topics: e.g., grand rounds, seminars | |
| Postdoctoral | Supervised clinical rotations involving older populations (see Internship section above) |
| Community outreach to older adults: e.g., giving talks at community centers | |
| Didadic opportunities on aging-related topics: e.g., grand rounds, seminars | |
| Audit courses in Geropsychology or aging in affiliated academic institution | |
| Seek research and/or clinical mentor in Geropsychology — devise plan to develop relevant knowledge, skills & attitude | |
| Post-Licensure | Continuing Education on aging-related topics |
| Consultation with colleagues who are involved in geropsychology practice | |
| Research collaboration with colleagues involved in aging research | |
| Seek research and/or clinical mentor in Geropsychology — devise plan to develop relevant knowledge, skills & attitude | |
| All levels | Webinars (see list on GeroCentral website) |
| Join & participate in Geropsychology professional organizations: e.g., APA Divisions 12-2, 20, 38, 40; PLTC | |
| Attend professional meetings of Geropsychology organizations | |
| Read books & journal articles on aging | |
| Join journal clubs on aging-related topics | |
Publications about Training
Fulmer, T., Flaherty, E., & Hyer, K. (2003). The geriatric interdisciplinary team training (GITT) program. Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, 24(2), 3-12.
Fulmer, T., Flaherty, E., & Hyer, K. (2003). The geriatric interdisciplinary team training (GITT) program. Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, 24(2), 3-12.
Gallagher-Thompson, D. & Cassidy, E. L. (2000), Training Psychologists for Service Delivery in Long-Term Care Settings. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 7: 329–336. doi: 10.1093/clipsy.7.3.329
Gallagher-Thompson, D. & Cassidy, E. L. (2000), Training Psychologists for Service Delivery in Long-Term Care Settings. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 7: 329–336. doi: 10.1093/clipsy.7.3.329
Helmes, E. & Gee, S. (2000), Development of a Training Program in Clinical Geropsychology. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 19: 113–117. doi: 10.1111/j.1741-6612.2000.tb00160.x
Helmes, E. & Gee, S. (2000), Development of a Training Program in Clinical Geropsychology. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 19: 113–117. doi: 10.1111/j.1741-6612.2000.tb00160.x
Hinrichsen, G.A., & McMeniman, M. The impact of geropsychology training. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 33(3), 337-340. doi: 10.1037/0735-7028.33.3.337
Hinrichsen, G.A., & McMeniman, M. The impact of geropsychology training. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 33(3), 337-340. doi: 10.1037/0735-7028.33.3.337
Karel, M. J., Knight, B. G., Duffy, M., Hinrichsen, G. A., & Zeiss, A. M. (2010). Attitude, knowledge, and skill competencies for practice in professional geropsychology: Implications for training and building a geropsychology workforce. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 4(2), 75-84.
Karel, M. J., Knight, B. G., Duffy, M., Hinrichsen, G. A., & Zeiss, A. M. (2010). Attitude, knowledge, and skill competencies for practice in professional geropsychology: Implications for training and building a geropsychology workforce. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 4(2), 75-84.
Knight, B. G., Karel, M. J., Hinrichsen, G. A., Qualls, S. H., & Duffy, M. (2009). Pikes Peak model for training in professional geropsychology. American Psychologist, 64 (3), 205-214.
Knight, B. G., Karel, M. J., Hinrichsen, G. A., Qualls, S. H., & Duffy, M. (2009). Pikes Peak model for training in professional geropsychology. American Psychologist, 64 (3), 205-214.
Molinari, V., Merritt, S., Mills, W., Chiriboga, D., Conboy, A., Hyer, K., & Becker, M. (2008). Serious mental illness in Florida nursing homes: Need for training. Gerontology and Geriatrics Education, 29 (1), 66-83.
Molinari, V., Merritt, S., Mills, W., Chiriboga, D., Conboy, A., Hyer, K., & Becker, M. (2008). Serious mental illness in Florida nursing homes: Need for training. Gerontology and Geriatrics Education, 29 (1), 66-83.
Pachana, N. A., Sofronoff, K., Scott, T. & Helmes, E. (2011). Attainment of Competencies in Clinical Psychology Training: Ways Forward in the Australian Context. Australian Psychologist, 46: 67–76. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-9544.2011.00029.x
Pachana, N. A., Sofronoff, K., Scott, T. & Helmes, E. (2011). Attainment of Competencies in Clinical Psychology Training: Ways Forward in the Australian Context. Australian Psychologist, 46: 67–76. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-9544.2011.00029.x
Pleasant, M., Molinari, V., Dobbs, D., Meng, H., & Hyer, K. (2020). Effectiveness of online dementia caregivers training programs: A systematic review. Geriatric Nursing, 41(6), 921-935.
Pleasant, M., Molinari, V., Dobbs, D., Meng, H., & Hyer, K. (2020). Effectiveness of online dementia caregivers training programs: A systematic review. Geriatric Nursing, 41(6), 921-935.
Qualls, S.H., Segal, D., Norman, S., Niederehe, G., & Gallagher-Thompson, D. (2002). Psychologists in practice with older adults: Current patterns, sources of training, and need for continuing education. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 33, 435-442.
Qualls, S.H., Segal, D., Norman, S., Niederehe, G., & Gallagher-Thompson, D. (2002). Psychologists in practice with older adults: Current patterns, sources of training, and need for continuing education. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 33, 435-442.
Wharton, T., Shah, A., Scogin, F. R. & Allen, R. S. (2013). Evidence to support the Pikes Peak model: The UA geropsychology education program. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 7(2), 139-144. DOI: 10.1037/a0032285.
Wharton, T., Shah, A., Scogin, F. R. & Allen, R. S. (2013). Evidence to support the Pikes Peak model: The UA geropsychology education program. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 7(2), 139-144. DOI: 10.1037/a0032285.
References:
Jeste, D.V., Alexopolous, G.S., Bartels, S.J., Cummings J.L., Gallo, J.J., Gottlieb, G.L. et al. (1999). Consensus Statement on the Upcoming Crisis in Geriatric Mental Health. Archives of General Psychiatry, 56, 848-853.
Halpain, M.C., Harris, M.J., McClure, F.S., & Jeste, D.V. (1999). Training in Geriatric Mental Health: Needs and Strategies. Psychiatric Services. 50(9), 1205-1208.
Qualls, S.H., Segal, D.L., Norman, S., Niederehe, G., & Gallagher-Thompson, D. (2002). Psychologists in Practice With Older Adults: Current Patterns, Sources of Training, and Need for Continuing Education. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 33, 435–442. Article available online.