Supportive psychotherapy seeks to provide a therapeutic relationship between the client and the therapist that initially concentrates on reducing anxiety and providing encouragement. The importance of providing security, comfort through talking, rest and stimulation through occupational and art therapies has long been recognised. Supportive psychotherapy seeks to provide this security to strengthen a client’s coping and socialisation.
The goals of supportive psychotherapy can vary from restoration to maintenance of functioning and fulfillment of whatever may be the client’s capacities for happiness and healthy living. The management of the feelings are the fundamental problem and the client is helped to learn to regulate its affect by tuning it up or down to produce a state where they can think.
There are five key components of effective supportive psychotherapy, adopting a conversational style, nurturing positive transference (feelings projected to the therapist), reducing anxiety, enhancing self-esteem and strengthening coping mechanisms.
Whilst supportive psychotherapy is not recommended by NICE as the first therapy to be used in the majority of mental health difficulties, it can be used to facilitate a client’s introduction to CBT approaches. It can also be effectively used if other therapeutic techniques have not been successful and it is also a helpful approach for crisis intervention.
The primary goal of supportive psychotherapy is to help individuals manage emotional distress, enhance their coping strategies, and strengthen self-esteem. Rather than delving into unconscious processes, it focuses on providing emotional support, fostering resilience, and maintaining psychological stability.
Supportive psychotherapy is beneficial for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, chronic illness, or those undergoing acute crises. It is particularly helpful for patients who may not be ready for more intensive therapies or who have not responded well to other approaches.
Unlike CBT, which is structured and goal-oriented, or psychodynamic therapy, which explores unconscious processes, supportive psychotherapy is less directive. It emphasises emotional reinforcement, active listening, and practical support to help clients stabilise and function in their daily lives.
While supportive psychotherapy is not always the first-line recommendation in national guidelines (such as NICE), it is a widely accepted and evidence-informed practice. It is often used in combination with other treatments or as a bridge to more structured therapies.
Yes, supportive psychotherapy is often used in conjunction with medication or other therapeutic approaches such as CBT or mindfulness-based therapies. It can provide emotional stability and encouragement while clients undergo more targeted treatments, making it a valuable part of an integrated care plan.
General Enquiries
Email: info@privatepsychiatry.co.uk
Telephone: 020 3930 1967
Administrative support is available by phone Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Mon – Fri: 09:00 am – 08:00 pm
