5 Keys to Good Results with Supportive Therapy
Evidence-based technique gains new respect as a valuable clinical tool. John Battaglia, MD Medical director, Program of Assertive Community Treatment, clinical associate professor, department of psychiatry, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, WI Supportive psychotherapy began as a second-class treatment whose only operating principle was “being friendly” with the patient ( Box ). 1 Critics called it “simple-minded” 2 and sniffed, “if it is supportive, it is not therapy…if it is therapy, it is not supportive.” 3 Since its lowly beginning, however, supportive psychotherapy has been proven highly effective, and clinicians have developed operating principles... More