When memory and identity begin to change
Dementia Support Across The North East
Psychological support for people living with dementia and their families, helping you navigate what comes next.
- 44 Practitioners
- 6 North East clinics
- Free First Pathway call
Understanding dementia
Dementia is not just memory loss. It reshapes identity, relationships, and daily life.
Dementia is an umbrella term for conditions caused by progressive damage to brain cells. The most common form is Alzheimer's disease, followed by vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and mixed dementia. Symptoms typically begin gradually and worsen over time, affecting memory, thinking, communication, and behaviour.
For the person living with dementia, one of the most distressing aspects can be the sense of losing oneself: skills, memories, and ways of being that felt fundamental to identity. Alongside this, anxiety, depression, and distress are common, and often under-recognised and under-treated.
Psychological support for dementia is not about reversing cognitive decline. It is about helping people live as well as possible with the changes they are experiencing, and supporting the families and carers who are facing their own challenges alongside them.
Common signs
How dementia shows up, and what can help
Common signs
- Increasing forgetfulness, especially for recent events
- Getting confused in familiar places or situations
- Changes in personality, mood, or behaviour
- Difficulty finding words or following conversations
- Poor judgement or difficulty making everyday decisions
- Losing track of dates, times, or sequences of events
- Low mood, anxiety, or increased agitation
- Withdrawing from social activities or interests
Therapies that can help
Different people respond to different approaches. Your therapist agrees a personalised plan with you, which may draw on:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
The Pathway Team matches you to a therapist experienced in supporting people with dementia, at your chosen location.
A simple first move
Not sure where to start? Talk it through with the Pathway Team.
Who you might work with
Therapists with expertise in supporting people with dementia
Browse the full team, or let the Pathway Team match you.
When to reach out
Early support makes a real difference for everyone involved.
If you or someone close to you is showing signs of cognitive change, speaking to your GP is the right first step. A formal diagnosis requires specialist assessment, and early identification opens up more options for support.
If a diagnosis is already in place and you are struggling with the emotional impact, whether as the person living with dementia or as a carer or family member, the Pathway Team at Select Psychology can help. A free Pathway call is the place to start.
Where we offer this
Support for dementia across the North East
Questions before you start
What people usually ask
1 What is dementia?
Dementia is the collective name for a group of symptoms caused by progressive decline in brain function. These include Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and mixed dementia. It typically affects memory, thinking, language, and behaviour, and tends to develop in people over 65, although early-onset dementia can occur from age 40 onwards. Progression varies considerably from person to person.
2 Can therapy help someone living with dementia?
Yes, particularly in the earlier stages. Psychological therapy can help people living with dementia process the diagnosis, manage anxiety and depression that commonly accompany it, and find ways to maintain quality of life and a sense of identity as the condition progresses. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) are well suited to this kind of adjustment work.
3 Can Select Psychology help family members and carers too?
Absolutely. A dementia diagnosis affects the whole family. Carers and loved ones often experience grief, stress, and their own adjustment difficulties as they take on new roles. Psychological support for carers is just as important as support for the person with dementia, and our team can work with both.
In the meantime
Small things that can help right now.
- Keep a consistent daily routine for stability and comfort
- Stay connected with people who know and understand you
- Write things down: lists, notes, and reminders help
- Carers: make time for your own wellbeing too
- Talk openly about what is hard, when you can
From the blog
Helpful reading on this
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The Emotional Benefits of Family Therapy: Guide for UK Families
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Ready to feel heard?
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