Therapy for Dementia Patients: What Helps and How to Find Support

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional mental health advice or create a therapist-client relationship.

When someone you love is diagnosed with dementia, the conversation often centers quickly on medication, safety, and care planning. What gets mentioned less often, and what can make a meaningful difference in quality of life, is therapy.

There is no cure for dementia. Psychotherapy cannot reverse the diagnosis or stop the underlying disease from progressing. But there are evidence-based approaches that help people living with dementia manage difficult emotions, maintain a sense of self, reduce depression and anxiety, and live as fully as possible for as long as possible.

I'm Jenna Rumberger, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with more than 13 years of experience in the social work field and the founder of Aging with a Plan, PLLC in Redmond, Washington. I specialize in therapy for older adults and family caregivers impacted by dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other age-related changes. This post is for families and caregivers wondering: what kind of support exists for my loved one, and how do I find the right help?

What Psychotherapy Can, and Cannot, Do

It's worth being clear upfront: psychotherapy cannot cure or reverse dementia, stop the underlying disease from progressing, or restore lost cognitive abilities. If someone suggests otherwise, be skeptical.

What psychotherapy can do for people living with dementia:

• Provide a space to process the grief, fear, and adjustment that can come with a dementia diagnosis
  
  
• Help address symptoms of depression and anxiety, which can occur alongside dementia.
  
  
• Support a sense of identity, purpose, and dignity as the disease progresses
  
  
•  Support communication and changing relationships between the person living with dementia and their family caregivers
  
  
• Help with difficult emotions like grief over changing abilities, fear about the future, and the complex feelings that accompany a progressive diagnosis
  
  

The goal isn't to fix what dementia has changed. It's to support the whole person, their emotional wellbeing, their relationships, their sense of self, alongside whatever medical care they're receiving.

Who Psychotherapy Is Most Appropriate For

Traditional talk therapy, the kind I practice, generally works best for people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or earlier-stage dementia who have enough cognitive and communication ability to meaningfully participate in conversation. At this stage, someone can reflect on their experience, engage in dialogue, and work toward specific emotional goals.

As dementia progresses into moderate or later stages, individual psychotherapy becomes harder to access in its traditional form. The focus shifts toward approaches that rely less on language, like music, sensory engagement, and presence, which may be offered through other specialists.

If you're not sure whether your loved one might benefit from psychotherapy, it's worth discussing with their neurologist or primary care physician. Their medical team can help you think through what kinds of support may be appropriate given their current needs and abilities.

What Psychotherapy for People Living With Dementia Can Look Like

In my work with individuals living with dementia, sessions are adapted to each person's cognitive abilities and communication style. What we focus on often includes:

• Processing the diagnosis. A dementia diagnosis can bring grief, fear, uncertainty, anger, and many other emotions. People in the earlier stages often have a great deal of insight into what is changing and what lies ahead. Therapy offers a nonjudgemental space to sit with those feelings, the grief, the fear, the uncertainty, without having to minimize them for anyone else's comfort.
  
  
• Maintaining a sense of self. One of the most meaningful things therapy can offer someone living with dementia is a space where they are seen as a whole person, not just their diagnosis. I use reminiscence and life review as part of this work, drawing on long-term memories and personal history to reinforce identity and continuity.
  
  
• Addressing depression and anxiety. Depression and anxiety can occur alongside dementia and are sometimes overlooked because their symptoms can resemble dementia itself. When present, they deserve appropriate assessment and treatment. Depending on the person's needs and cognitive abilities, individual therapy may be one part of their care. 
  
  
• Supporting communication and family relationships. Dementia affects the entire family. Therapy can help the person living with dementia navigate changing relationships, communicate what they need, and process the emotional weight of depending more on others. I also work with family caregivers separately, you can learn more on the family caregiver therapy page.
  
  

Other Types of Support That Can Help

Psychotherapy is one piece of a larger picture. There are several other evidence-based interventions that support quality of life for people living with dementia, offered by different specialists, not through my practice, but worth knowing about as you navigate care options for your loved one.

• Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST). A structured group program that uses themed activities and discussion to engage cognitive function and social connection. CST has strong research support for people with mild to moderate dementia and is typically offered through memory care programs or community-based settings.
  
  
• Music therapy. A trained music therapist uses music, listening, singing, rhythm, movement, to support emotional expression, reduce agitation, and enhance connection. Music is processed differently in the brain than language, which is part of why it often remains meaningful even in later stages of dementia.
  
  
• Occupational therapy. An occupational therapist can help people living with dementia adapt to changing abilities and maintain independence in daily activities. OT may include home environment adjustments, assistive equipment, and strategies for managing day-to-day tasks.
  
  
• Movement and physical activity. Regular gentle exercise has shown benefits for mood and behavioral symptoms in people living with dementia. This doesn't require a formal therapy program, structured group activities and regular walks can be meaningful.
  
  
• Support groups. For people with MCI or earlier-stage dementia, support groups offer connection with others navigating similar experiences. The Alzheimer's Association offers groups specifically for people living with dementia, separate from caregiver groups.
  
  

If you're not sure where to start, the Alzheimer's Association's care navigator service can help connect you to local programs and resources. Your loved one's medical team may also be able to make referrals to specialists in your area.

How to Find a Therapist Who Works With People Living With Dementia

Finding a therapist with experience working with people living with dementia takes a bit more searching than finding a general therapist, but it's worth the effort.

• Ask their medical team. A neurologist, geriatrician, or social worker at a memory clinic may be able to refer you to therapists who specialize in this area. This is often the most direct route.
  
  
• Look for relevant specialties. When searching directories like Psychology Today, look for therapists who list dementia, older adults, geriatric concerns, or caregiver support as specialty areas. Read their profiles carefully, someone who lists "older adults" as a specialty may or may not have specific dementia experience.
  
  
• Ask directly. During a consultation, ask whether the therapist has experience working with people in the early stages of dementia or with MCI. Ask how they adapt their approach as cognitive abilities change. Their answer will tell you a lot.
  
  

If your loved one is in the Redmond, Bellevue, or Eastside area, or anywhere in Washington State, I offer individual therapy for older adults and people living with dementia alongside therapy for their family caregivers. You can learn more on the dementia and Alzheimer's therapy page.

Questions About Therapy for People Living With Dementia

A Diagnosis Is Not the End of the Story



A dementia diagnosis changes everything. But it doesn't mean there's nothing left to do for the person's emotional wellbeing, their sense of self, or their quality of life. The right support, delivered by someone who understands where your loved one is in the disease process, can make a real difference in how they experience this chapter.

If you're wondering whether therapy might help, I'd be glad to talk. I offer a free 20-minute introduction call for families and individuals navigating dementia. You can reach me through the contact page or call (425) 270-7336.

Aging with a Plan, PLLC serves individuals with dementia and their family caregivers in Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland, Sammamish, and virtually throughout Washington State.