What does this research mean for the field?

People with dementia are capable of developing and maintaining meaningful therapeutic relationships, particularly when supported by therapists with specialist dementia knowledge, challenging assumptions that they cannot. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONTRADICTORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.CHALLENGES_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine how individuals living with dementia and their families experience, understand, and engage with psychotherapeutic interventions.

September 10, 2026Aging & Mental HealthOpen Access

How do people with dementia and their families reflect on their experiences of psychotherapeutic interventions?

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Authors

AGAlys Wyn GriffithsSheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust LSLouis StokesUniversity of Sheffield DCDivine CharuraYork St John University

Discussion

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Implication

Qualitative study reveals meaningful engagement in psychotherapeutic interventions among people with dementia and their families, suggesting the need for specialist therapist training.

Key Points

To examine how individuals living with dementia and their families experience, understand, and engage with psychotherapeutic interventions.
Conducted a qualitative study with participants (N=9) interviewed individually or in dyads.
Analyzed interview transcripts using framework analysis to identify core themes.
Identified three primary themes: navigating therapy with dementia, finding a place for the person with dementia in the therapeutic space, and creating and maintaining a therapeutic relationship.
Observed that clients with dementia successfully establish meaningful therapeutic alliances when therapists possess specialized dementia expertise, countering assumptions of therapeutic incapacity.

Cite This Study

Griffiths et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa27c0f58559d80afc75aa4 https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2026.2729257

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Implication

Qualitative study reveals meaningful engagement in psychotherapeutic interventions among people with dementia and their families, suggesting the need for specialist therapist training.

How do people with dementia and their families reflect on their experiences of psychotherapeutic interventions?

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

How do people with dementia and their families reflect on their experiences of psychotherapeutic interventions?

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider