SUPPORTIVE THERAPY

"Supportive therapy" is quite different from merely "being supportive." It is disciplined, thoughtful, and goal-oriented.

Supportive therapy emphasizes building self-esteem, reducing anxiety and enhancing coping mechanisms. It is conversational in style and commonly uses techniques such as clarification, suggestion, praise, education and examination of the influence on present life of patterns originating in the past.

Supportive therapy rarely uses techniques such as prolonged silent listening, neutrality, confrontation of resistance or transference interpretations. Wherever possible, therapy-induced anxiety is avoided.

I use supportive therapy primarily in treating anxiety disorders as an adjunct to cognitive therapy.