Geriatric Psychiatry

Mental health therapy is crucial for treating and managing various conditions in older adults, such as dementia, depression, anxiety, personality disorders, and substance abuse/dependence. Dr. Lukner, an Internal Medicine specialist, offers evidence-based therapies, including pharmacological treatments, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), to help patients manage their symptoms and enhance their quality of life.

CBT is a therapy that helps patients recognize negative thinking patterns and replace them with more positive ones. It has been shown to be effective in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms in older adults with dementia. During CBT sessions, patients work with a therapist to identify and challenge negative thoughts and beliefs and learn new coping strategies to replace them with more positive and adaptive ones.

Similarly, DBT helps patients improve their emotional regulation and interpersonal skills to manage depression and anxiety. DBT is a cognitive behavioral therapy that geriatric physicians use to treat older adults with mental illnesses. It focuses on mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness to help patients identify triggers, regulate emotions, and communicate effectively with others. This therapy has been shown to be effective in treating depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder.

Dr. Lukner offers the latest research and treatment in this area, working with leading psychiatrists and neurologists to provide cutting-edge therapies and conduct research studies to improve our understanding of mental health in older adults. Although he is not a psychiatrist, Dr. Lukner provides extensive mental health medical care to his local patients in his remote rural community, who often have limited access to psychiatrists and therapists. With the aging population, the need for specialized mental health care for older adults will continue to grow.