Supportive Psychotherapy can help individuals living with extreme emotional distress

What is Supportive Psychotherapy?

Supportive psychotherapy describes a therapist’s attempt to help clients dealing with extreme emotional distress and other problems. The approach is different from more skills-based treatments, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, in that it includes advising the individual, providing comfort, encouragement, and reassurance, and a sympathetic ear. In this way, the therapist provides an emotional outlet the client needs as well as the chance for the individual to be themself.

This type of therapy may also include an psychoeducational component, with the therapist informing the client about their illness and about how to manage it and cope with it.