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Supportive psychotherapy focuses on enhancing a patient's coping mechanisms and emotional stability, particularly for those with chronic mental health issues. Key principles include building a strong therapeutic alliance, providing reassurance and guidance, offering emotional support, and improving coping strategies. The approach emphasizes collaboration and active problem-solving to help patients navigate their challenges effectively.

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5 views2 pages

5C45BED9

Supportive psychotherapy focuses on enhancing a patient's coping mechanisms and emotional stability, particularly for those with chronic mental health issues. Key principles include building a strong therapeutic alliance, providing reassurance and guidance, offering emotional support, and improving coping strategies. The approach emphasizes collaboration and active problem-solving to help patients navigate their challenges effectively.

Uploaded by

yesiamsafna
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Principles of supportive psychotherapy

Supportive Psychotherapy is a type of therapy aimed at reinforcing a patient’s existing coping

mechanisms, reducing psychological conflict, and promoting emotional stability. It is often used

for individuals with chronic mental health issues or in crisis situations.

Principles of supportive psychotherapy

1. Therapeutic Alliance

o Build a strong, trusting relationship between therapist and patient.

o Emphasize empathy, respect, and genuine interest.

o The therapist acts as a consistent source of support.

2. Reassurance

o Reduce anxiety by offering realistic reassurance.

o Help patients gain confidence in their ability to cope.

3. Guidance and Advice

o Provide direction in decision-making or life choices when appropriate.

o Advice is tailored to the patient’s level of functioning and circumstances.

4. Encouragement

o Reinforce healthy behaviors and progress.

o Motivate the patient to take positive actions and continue with treatment.

5. Emotional Support

o Offer validation and understanding of the patient’s emotions.


o Normalize feelings and experiences when appropriate.

6. Clarification

o Help the patient understand their thoughts and behaviors.

o Reframe distorted thinking gently and supportively.

7. Reality Testing

o Help the patient distinguish between distorted thoughts and reality.

o Do this gradually and sensitively to avoid confrontation or defensiveness.

8. Improving Coping Mechanisms

o Strengthen existing adaptive skills.

o Teach new, practical coping strategies to manage stress and conflict.

9. Limit Setting

o Establish clear and appropriate boundaries.

o Ensure the therapeutic environment remains safe and structured.

10. Problem Solving

• Help the patient identify problems and explore potential solutions.

• Encourage active problem-solving rather than passive avoidance.

REFERENCES

Winston, A., Rosenthal, R. N., & Pinsker, H. (2004). Learning Supportive Psychotherapy: An

Illustrated Guide

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