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Senior Therapy in Agoura Hills, CA

Julie Klamon LMFT, Senior Therapist located in Agoura Hills, CA

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years of experience, I provide specialized therapy services for older adults facing the unique challenges that come with aging. Later life brings significant transitions and changes that can impact mental health and emotional well-being.

My approach to senior therapy is compassionate and respectful, recognizing the wealth of life experience and wisdom that older adults bring to the therapeutic relationship. I create a comfortable, judgment-free environment where seniors can address their concerns, process emotions, and develop strategies for enhancing their quality of life during this important stage.

Understanding Mental Health in Later Life

Navigating Life Transitions and Changes

Supportive therapy session with senior client in Agoura Hills discussing life transitions.

Later life is filled with significant transitions that can be emotionally challenging. Retirement, changing family roles, loss of independence, health concerns, and social changes are just a few of the adjustments that older adults may face.

In therapy sessions, I help seniors:

  • Process feelings about role changes and identity shifts
  • Develop strategies for adapting to new routines and limitations
  • Find meaning and purpose during retirement years
  • Navigate changing family dynamics and relationships
  • Build resilience for facing ongoing changes and challenges

Processing Grief and Loss

Senior grief counseling session in Agoura Hills: Therapist supporting elderly woman processing loss.

Loss becomes an increasingly common experience in later life. The death of a spouse, friends, or family members; loss of health or mobility; and other significant life changes can trigger profound grief reactions that benefit from therapeutic support.

My approach to grief counseling for seniors includes:

  • Creating a safe space to express and process complex emotions
  • Recognizing different types of losses and their unique impacts
  • Helping to find meaning and continue bonds with those who have passed
  • Supporting adaptation to life changes while honoring what has been lost
  • Developing coping strategies for managing grief as it evolves over time

Anxiety and Depression in Older Adults

Recognizing Depression in Seniors

Depression is not a normal part of aging, yet it often goes unrecognized and untreated in older adults. Depression in seniors may present differently than in younger people, and symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for other conditions or dismissed as normal aging.

Common signs of depression in older adults include:

  • Persistent sadness or feelings of emptiness
  • Withdrawal from social activities and relationships
  • Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
  • Sleep disturbances (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep)
  • Changes in appetite or weight
  • Increased physical complaints without clear medical cause
  • Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
  • Thoughts about death or suicide

Through therapy, I help seniors recognize depression symptoms, understand contributing factors, and develop effective strategies for managing and overcoming depression. Treatment approaches are tailored to each individual's specific needs, preferences, and life circumstances.

Managing Anxiety in Later Life

Senior anxiety therapy in Agoura Hills: Therapist teaching relaxation techniques to elderly client.

Anxiety affects many older adults and can significantly impact quality of life. Common triggers for anxiety in seniors include health concerns, financial worries, safety fears, and significant life changes. Many seniors experience anxiety physically, which can sometimes lead to confusion with medical conditions.

Anxiety symptoms common in older adults include:

  • Excessive worry about health, family, or finances
  • Restlessness or feeling on edge
  • Physical symptoms like muscle tension, digestive issues, or headaches
  • Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
  • Sleep problems related to racing thoughts or worries
  • Irritability or being easily fatigued
  • Avoidance of situations that cause nervousness

In therapy, I help seniors understand the sources of their anxiety, recognize how anxiety affects them personally, and develop practical techniques for managing anxious thoughts and feelings. Treatment often includes relaxation strategies, thought reframing, and gradual exposure to anxiety-provoking situations in a supported way.

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Senior Therapy FAQ

How can therapy help seniors who are dealing with life changes?

Therapy provides a supportive space for seniors to process emotions about life transitions like retirement, health changes, or loss of independence. I help older adults develop coping strategies for these changes, find meaning in new chapters of life, and maintain emotional well-being despite challenges. Therapy can reduce feelings of isolation and provide practical tools for managing stress, anxiety, and other difficult emotions that arise during significant life adjustments.

Is it ever too late to start therapy?

It is absolutely never too late to benefit from therapy. Many seniors find therapy particularly valuable as they navigate the unique challenges of later life. Older adults often make excellent therapy clients because they bring wisdom, life experience, and motivation to the therapeutic process. Regardless of age, everyone deserves support for emotional well-being and quality of life. Many of my senior clients report wishing they had started therapy sooner, but find significant benefits even when beginning therapy in their 60s, 70s, 80s, or beyond.

Can family members be involved in the therapy process?

Family involvement can be very beneficial in senior therapy, when appropriate and desired by the client. I offer family sessions to address communication challenges, help family members understand the older adult's needs and perspectives, and develop strategies for supporting their loved one. Family sessions can also help navigate changing roles and relationship dynamics. However, I always prioritize the senior client's preferences regarding family involvement and maintain appropriate confidentiality boundaries.

How do I know if my sadness is depression or just normal grief?

Grief and depression can share many symptoms, making them difficult to distinguish—especially in later life when losses may accumulate. While grief is a natural response to loss with symptoms that tend to come in waves and gradually ease over time, depression is more persistent and pervasive. In grief, painful feelings are typically connected to specific losses, while depression often involves persistent negative thoughts about oneself, the future, and life in general. If sadness is significantly interfering with daily functioning for more than two months, includes feelings of worthlessness, or involves thoughts of suicide, professional help is recommended. During therapy, I can help assess whether you're experiencing grief, depression, or a combination of both, and develop appropriate support strategies.

Age-Appropriate Therapy Approaches

My therapeutic approach for older adults is tailored to address the unique needs, experiences, and preferences of seniors. I adapt traditional therapy methods to be more effective and accessible for older adults, focusing on practical strategies that enhance quality of life and emotional well-being.

  • Mindfulness and Stress Reduction: Simple, accessible techniques to manage anxiety, physical tension, and difficult emotions
  • Family Relationship Support: Addressing changing family dynamics, communication challenges, and caregiver relationships
  • Independence Strategies: Maintaining autonomy and dignity while adapting to changing capabilities

Each therapy plan is highly individualized, taking into account the client's personal history, current circumstances, physical health considerations, and therapy goals. Sessions can be adapted to accommodate hearing or mobility limitations, and the pace of therapy respects each client's processing style and energy levels.

Benefits of Senior-Focused Therapy

Therapy specifically designed for older adults offers many valuable benefits that can significantly improve quality of life during the senior years:

  • Reduced Symptoms: Decreased depression, anxiety, and distress related to life changes
  • Improved Coping: Better strategies for managing stress, loss, and health challenges
  • Enhanced Relationships: Stronger connections with family and friends
  • Increased Independence: Maintained autonomy and self-sufficiency
  • Greater Life Satisfaction: Finding meaning, purpose, and joy in later life
  • Better Health Management: Improved adherence to medical recommendations and self-care
  • Reduced Isolation: Decreased feelings of loneliness and disconnection

Research consistently shows that older adults who receive appropriate mental health support demonstrate better overall health outcomes, fewer hospitalizations, and greater resilience when facing age-related challenges.

My Approach to Senior Therapy

With over two decades of experience as a therapist, I bring compassion, respect, and specialized knowledge to my work with older adults. I understand that each person's life experience is unique and valuable. My approach honors the wisdom and resilience that comes with age while providing practical support for current challenges.

I create a welcoming, comfortable environment where seniors feel heard and understood. Sessions move at an appropriate pace, with flexibility to accommodate individual needs and preferences. Whether you're dealing with significant life transitions, loss, relationship changes, or mood concerns, I'm here to support your journey toward greater well-being in this important stage of life.

Schedule a Free Phone Consultation

If you or an older loved one is considering therapy, I invite you to schedule a free phone consultation. This no-obligation conversation allows us to discuss your specific situation, answer any questions you might have about the therapy process, and determine if my approach would be a good fit for your needs.

In-Person and Virtual Therapy Options Available

My office is located in Agoura Hills, CA 91301. I provide in-person therapy to clients in Agoura Hills and the surrounding areas, including Westlake Village, CA, Oak Park, CA, Calabasas, CA, Thousand Oaks, CA, Woodland Hills, CA and Simi Valley, CA. I also offer virtual therapy sessions to individuals located anywhere within the state of California, which can be particularly convenient for seniors with mobility limitations or transportation challenges.

Senior Therapy Services

Blue Check Mark Depression & Anxiety Treatment

Blue Check Mark Grief & Loss Counseling

Blue Check Mark Life Transition Support

Blue Check Mark Caregiver Stress Management

Blue Check Mark Relationship Challenges

Blue Check Mark Sleep Difficulties

Blue Check Mark Isolation & Loneliness

Blue Check Mark End-of-Life Concerns

CONTACT

Fill out my online form.
818-403-5439

28310 Roadside Dr. #249
Agoura Hills, CA 91301

Offering Virtual And In-Person Sessions