Overview

The APS hosts this webinar with the APS College of Clinical Psychologists.

This webinar provides an overview of recent research on the role of social connections in the maintenance, and treatment of, depression, anxiety and loneliness in older adults. The goal is to develop skills and knowledge in new areas of practice, and extend clinicians ability to provide high-quality client services and patient care founded on evidence-based best practices.

This webinar aims to:

• upskill clinicians on what is known about the role of social connections in mental health in later life,

• outline factors clinicians should consider in their clinical assessments of older adults, and

• inform clinicians on how they might consider addressing social participation as part of their regular psychological treatment in this age group.

Level of Learning

Advanced. This activity is targeted to those have significant expertise on the topic.

Duration of access

Access to the recording and presenter slides is for 12 months from the date of confirmed registration.

APS CPD-Approved

This activity has been assessed against the APS Standards for CPD activities and approved for its education quality. Learn more about the APS CPD Approval process

CPD Frequently Asked Questions

Refer to the APS CPD Frequently Asked Questions for general and technical information when undertaking APS Professional development activities.

Activity details 

• On-demand webinar recording 

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this on-demand activity, participants should be able to:

• understand the latest evidence on the role of social connections to older adult mental health,

• learn how to assess and identify social participation factors relevant to older adult mental health, and 

• introduce strategies to address challenges with social connection in later life.

Presenter(s)

Professor Viviana Wuthrich MAPS

About the presenter(s)

Professor Viviana Wuthrich is a registered psychologist with clinical endorsement, Director of the Lifespan Health & Wellbeing Research Centre at Macquarie University, National Convenor of the APS Psychology and Ageing Interest Group. She also currently holds an MRFF Emerging Leadership Fellowship. Her research is focused on understanding and treating anxiety and depression across the lifespan, as well as reducing risk for dementia. She has a particular interest in developing and evaluating psychological interventions. She developed the Ageing Wisely program for treating comorbid anxiety and depression and has demonstrated its efficacy in several large clinical trials. Her current research is focused on the role of social connections in later life. She has 100 publications, received over $16 million in research funds, and has received the Clinical College Alastair Heron award, APS ECR award and NSW Young Tall Poppy award.