Clinical psychology with complex presentations in old age

Five cases are presented in detail to illustrate the role of clinical psychology with patients who have complex presentations. They are discussed with reference to the need for psychotherapeutic interventions given the limitations of pharmacotherapy; the limitations of psycho-social techniques and the consequent need for multi-disciplinary collaboration; and, the richness and complexity of psychosocial interventions and the limitations of CBT alone. These cases also illustrate the fact that interventions – whether psychosocial or psychopharmacological or both – can significantly improve life for a population often regarded as beyond help or otherwise not worth treating.