Not Too Late

Old age is a stage of human development which has largely been neglected in the field of psychotherapy. Not Too Late is a lively challenge to the view that for the old, only short-term therapy or counselling is suitable. Drawing upon her own experience of ageing and her work with older patients, Ann Orbach demonstrates that people can benefit from long-term psychotherapy at any age, provided they have the motivation and the right attitude. She explores the older person's sense of selfhood, in contrast to stereotypes and prejudices, and considers key issues which older people face such as ageism, bereavement, physical change, sexuality, regression and fear of death. She also questions why therapists tend to avoid working with older age groups and how therapists can help both their patients and themselves face the usual fears and issues of old age. Not Too Late shows that psychotherapy is not just for the young. Orbach's insights will be of great value to anyone who works with older people including psychotherapists, counsellors and social workers.