Introduction to counselling approaches in residential care

Mental health services are now being rolled out in residential aged care facilities. Over the last few years, a variety of such services have been trialed through the Swinburne Well-being Clinic for Older adults, independent clinicians and individual facilities. We are understanding more about the challenges and barriers towards the best way of delivering accessible and effective mental health programs in such settings. This panel brings together some of our mental trainees from diverse professional backgrounds to discuss their experiences both as trainees and as new workers in the field. A range of topics are discussed, including their roles, involving staff and families, use of groups, reminiscence, creative arts and other innovative methods to facilitate therapeutic goals.