<p>Stereotypical views of ageing and about older adults can be barriers to older adults receiving psychological interventions for common mental health conditions. Such negative age stereotypes in some health professionals and older adults themselves might reduce expectations for change and improvement as a result of psychotherapy. In this Review, we discuss contemporary psycho-gerontological research about ageing experiences and explore the utility of this research for working with older adults with depression and anxiety disorders. We outline health-related and psychological processes that are common in older adults and briefly review the evidence for the range of psychotherapies suitable for use with this population. Innovations in the application of psychological therapies with older adults demonstrate the scope for interventions to substantially improve quality of life and empower people to age well. These innovations also enhance understanding of how best to support people living with dementia and their caregivers. Finally, we provide recommendations aimed at improving psychotherapy treatment outcomes and for future research on the psychological care of older adults.</p>