Why I Believe Therapists Belong in the World of Dementia Care

With thanks to our Accredited Registrant member, Jurgen Schwarz for this article.

When people hear the word dementia, they often imagine someone far along in the illness, confused, perhaps no longer able to speak or recognise their loved ones. That image can be scary, even for us as therapists. It might make us wonder, What could I possibly offer?

But dementia doesn’t start that way.

In the early stages, when someone has just been diagnosed or is starting to notice change, there’s still so much life, emotion, and awareness to be experienced. And there is so much room for us, as therapists, to help.

I’ve worked with people living with mild dementia: this work is rich, moving, and deeply human. The people I meet are full of insight, emotion, and questions. They’re trying to make sense of what’s happening to them. They’re looking for ways to stay connected, to be heard, and to hold on to their sense of self. Therapy can give them a place to do that, a dedicated time and space where they are listened to unconditionally. This kind of presence goes beyond what some support organisations are able to offer, and it can be profoundly stabilising and affirming.

I remember working with a man in his early seventies who came to therapy just a few months after being diagnosed. He was articulate and thoughtful, but fearful. His main worry? That he’d become a “burden” to his wife. Week by week, we explored that fear together. He spoke of his love for her, his memories of their shared life, and his wish to leave her with more than just worry. Through therapy, he found words for his sadness and his hopes, and began talking more openly with his wife. Therapy didn’t fix the diagnosis, but it gave him space to be himself again.

And then there are the family carers, partners, children, siblings, who are suddenly trying to hold everything together. They often feel scared, helpless, and completely unseen. They need support too. Sometimes they just need someone to say, “Yes, this is hard. You’re not alone.”

I supported a woman whose mother had recently been diagnosed. She was trying to balance work, family, and the growing emotional weight of being the main carer. She didn’t want to “make it about her,” but she was exhausted and scared. In therapy, she allowed herself to cry, really cry, for the first time since the diagnosis. And then she began to set boundaries, ask for help, feel a little less alone, and worked on being less in denial about the future.

I often find that my role as someone with specialist dementia knowledge fades into the background. What really matters is being present, listening with care, and staying alongside someone in the unknown. These are the things that truly support people, and they're already part of what therapists do best.

This blog series is for therapists who are curious, maybe a little unsure, but willing to consider working with people facing early dementia or their carers. I’ll share thoughts, experiences, and practical ideas, including how to communicate meaningfully and effectively with people at different stages of dementia I’ll try to be honest about the hard parts, and the beautiful moments too.

If you’ve ever felt drawn to this work, or just wondered what it’s like, I hope this space encourages you to explore further.

Written by Jurgen Schwarz - Updated 8th August 2025

If this article has inspired you to find out more about working with clients affected by dementia, you can expand your knowledge with our CPD course. NCPS Members receive discounts on our CPD courses, to find out more about these benefits head over to the Member Portal.