Applications of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy in Hospice and Palliative Care (Self-Study)

Course overview

A significant subset of patients receiving hospice and palliative care experience clinically significant existential distress, depression, and anxiety, ultimately compounding their suffering. As health deteriorates, connections to sources of meaning in life may be challenged. There is thus a compelling need offer meaning-centered interventions. This program will describe applications of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy (MCP) for patients receiving hospice and palliative care. MCP is a brief, manualized intervention that systematically explores existential concepts and their relevance to patients' lives. MCP helps patients recognize their ability to choose their attitude in the face of suffering, to connect with sources of meaning in their lives, and to choose how they tell their story. Cases will be discussed, and how to adapt the intervention with various populations and clinical scenarios will be explored.