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Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp
Welcome to The Mental Health and Aging Podcast—your go-to resource for evidence-based strategies, mental health tools, and expert insights to support the psychological, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of older adults.
Hosted by clinical geropsychologist and founder of the Center for Mental Health & Aging, Dr. Regina Koepp, this podcast is designed for therapists, psychologists, social workers, aging life care professionals, geriatric care managers, and healthcare providers who want to confidently address the mental health needs of older adults.
Most mental health and healthcare professionals were trained to focus on the physical changes of aging—but that’s only part of the picture.
This podcast explores the not-so-physical aspects of aging:
- How purpose and meaning evolve later in life
- The emotional and psychological impact of retirement and life transitions
- Spiritual growth that often accompanies physical decline
- Mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, grief, loneliness, and trauma
- And what actually works in therapy with older adults
🎙️ Each episode delivers:
✔️ Practical tools and mindset shifts you can use right away
✔️ Real-life stories of healing, growth, and transformation
✔️ Behind-the-scenes lessons from building a national movement for mental health and aging
✔️ Guidance from leaders in geropsychology, health psychology, palliative care, and beyond
Whether you're seeking continuing education, clinical confidence, or a deeper understanding of how to help older adults thrive, this podcast is for you.
Because aging is more than decline. It’s development.
And there’s no expiration date on healing, transformation, or growth
Subscribe/Follow now and become the clinician older adults deserve.
Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp
#113-Types of Ageism in Mental Health Care: Hidden Biases Harm Clients
Have you ever thought, “Older adults are just set in their ways” or “Therapy isn’t effective for older clients”? If so, this episode is for you. Today, we tackle the hidden biases that even seasoned mental health professionals may hold toward older adults.
You’ll learn:
- What ageism is and how it manifests in mental health care.
- The impact of structural and individual ageism on mental and physical health.
- Research-backed insights, including Dr. Becca Levy’s groundbreaking work on the Stereotype Embodiment Theory.
- How ageism and ableism intersect to create barriers for older adults.
We also explore the unique challenges faced by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) older adults:
- By 2030, the older white population in the U.S. will increase by 39%, while the older BIPOC population will grow by 89%.
- By 2050, over 42% of adults aged 65 and older will be BIPOC.
- Studies show that nearly 50% of Black Americans report experiencing racial discrimination in health care, and BIPOC older adults are disproportionately excluded from clinical trials.
These statistics highlight the urgent need for culturally responsive, anti-ageist, and anti-racist mental health care practices.
Let’s rewrite the narrative: Older adults are resilient, capable, and deserving of high-quality mental health care.
Click here to visit the show notes page for all references and resources
Resources Mentioned:
- 5 Expert Strategies for Addressing Memory Loss in Therapy
- Continuing education course on the impact of ageism
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If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a colleague or friend. Together, we can ensure older adults are included in the mental health conversation.
Follow Dr. Regina Koepp:
Website: www.drreginakoepp.com & Center for Mental Health & Aging
LinkedIn: Regina Koepp, Psy.D.
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PROFESSIONALS: Grab your free guide to working with older adults here
Attention Social Workers, Therapists, Counselors, Psychologists, Aging Life Care Experts... Click here to get Continuing Education Credits