Supportive Psychotherapy

What is Supportive Psychotherapy?

The primary goal of supportive psychotherapy is to strengthen the individual's ability to cope effectively with various life stressors. This is accomplished by:

1. Listening closely and actively

2. Showing genuine empathy

3. Helping clients have a better understanding of their current situation

4. Helping them explore the options available to them

5. Helping them find hope despite difficult circumstances

6. Reinforcing and strengthening their resilience to the challenges they face

7. Maintaining or building up their self-esteem

8. Encouraging them to share their feelings and thought

Like most forms of psychotherapy, supportive psychotherapy is also geared towards reducing or alleviating symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other disorders. These qualities match active listening skills and is used by online therapists here at 7cups.

Internet-based supportive psychotherapy is a type of supportive psychotherapy that is characterized by having a two-hour initial meeting between the individual and therapist, and then periodic and occasional study conducted by therapist through email and telephone.

Who can Benefit from Supportive Psychotherapy?

Supportive psychotherapy can be helpful to a wide range of individuals. However, it is especially ideal for the following types of individuals:

1. Those who are focused on surviving as opposed to self-actualizing (e.g. individuals with a chronic physical or mental illness and limited financial resources who are just trying to get through each day)

2. Individuals who are going through an acute crisis in their lives and doing their best to simply get through it

3. Individuals who currently lack a solid support system and are struggling to cope with a challenging situation

4. Individuals who would not respond well (e.g. it would cause more problems than it would be beneficial) to therapy designed to bring about any type of fundamental change

In supportive psychotherapy, a very strong emphasis is placed on the relationship between therapist and individual. Therapists strive to make their clients feel supported, understood, and safe. This particular form of therapy is about as non-threatening as they come. Therapists dont poke and prod their clients for deeply personal information, or challenge or confront them as part of therapy. Instead, they work towards nurturing a warm, positive relationship with their clients. This, in turn, helps clients feel more inclined and comfortable working towards their treatment goals in collaboration with the therapist.

How Supportive Psychotherapy Works:

Supportive psychotherapy works by helping individuals make the necessary changes and tough decisions that will enable them to effectively cope with whatever challenging theyre facing. Challenges can include a wide range of things, such as the death of a loved one, a difficult life transition (e.g. getting divorced or changing jobs), dealing with a major setback, or learning to live with and manage a chronic physical or mental health condition.

As with many other types of therapy, the process starts by encouraging the client to talk freely and openly about how he or she feels about and views the situation. A strong sense of trust in the therapist, including his or her ability to genuinely understand what the client is feeling, helps facilitate this process. That being said, its also important that therapy clients trust that the therapist believes in them.

Benefits of Supportive Psychotherapy:

Supportive psychotherapy offers many potential benefits for those who receive it. They include:

1. Greater flexibility

2. Improved coping skills

3. Increased adaptability to difficult events or situations

4. Improved self-esteem

5. Greater resilience

6. Increased emotional wellbeing and stability

7. Better relationships with others