ABSTRACT
Resolution Therapy is a one-to-one therapeutic approach to be conducted with sensitivity, patience and tolerance. It is not practised at certain times, in sessions or groups, but characterises the everyday interaction between all who come into contact with those with dementia. Resolution therapy is an invocation to use the core Rogerian counselling principles to communicate with people who have dementia. Achieving empathy with people who have severe dementia is not without difficulty, however. Congruence means, genuine in our respect for the person with dementia. Unconditional positive regard means do not condemn or judge those with dementia. Listening to such communications is demanding. Despite this dissolution of language, people have to be sensitive to the hidden messages and adjust to the observation that 'the language used by people with dementia is a metaphorical one'. Pace is particularly important for achieving successful communication. People need to be in synchrony with the person's best pace.
