The National Dementia Strategy (2009) highlights the significance of family carers in supporting people with dementia. However, this often has a significant emotional, physical, social and practical cost to the person providing this support.
This study aims to explore the experiences of counselling and psychotherapy from the perspectives of carers of people with dementia.
It presents six case studies looking at their everyday experiences, their expectations and experiences of therapy, and the impact of therapy on their lives.
Discussions cover:
- changes in the relationship with the person with dementia
- the dynamic nature and longevity of the caring situation
- characteristics that may be over-represented in carers
- growth
- service issues
- issues regarding the therapeutic relationship and non-specific factors within therapy
- the ways in which carers make sense of therapy alongside the goals of clinicians
