Supportive Therapy
In order to live the happiest, healthiest life you can, you must focus on all aspects of your body. This includes the physical, mental, and emotional side of things. If you’re dealing with issues in one area, it can trickle down and have greater effects on your overall quality of life. Mental health, specifically, is a big issue for people, as they are sometimes afraid to discuss it as openly as they would if they were suffering from a physical condition. If you’re feeling down, struggling with anxiety or depression, or dealing with other mental health issues, supportive therapy may be the answer for you. Blair Wellness Group and Dr. Cassidy Blair, Licensed Clinical Psychologists, provide supportive therapy, among many other evidence-based treatment modalities to all patients in the Orange County area and across Los Angeles County. If you’re interested in learning more about supportive therapy and how it may help you, reach out to our trained professionals to schedule an appointment today!
What is Supportive Therapy?
Supportive therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses strongly on the therapeutic alliance between a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the client. By cultivating a supportive, non-judgemental, empathic, and compassionate environment with the patient, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist empowers the patient to manage symptoms, restore relation to reality, and utilize positive coping mechanisms to target their mental health issues. This type of treatment can be extremely beneficial for those who are afraid to discuss their problems openly or feel like they don’t have anyone to talk to.
What Can I Expect From This Type of Therapy?
When you begin supportive therapy, you can expect to be paired with a psychologist who will work with you one-on-one. This psychologist will provide support to you as you discuss your mental health issues and work through them.
You can also expect regular check-ins from your psychologist to make sure that you are on track and doing well.
How Does Supportive Therapy Work?
The goal of supportive therapy is to create a nurturing and healing foundation that encourages patients to openly discuss their problems, establishing rapport, and the therapeutic alliance that will help to alleviate symptoms caused by mental health issues. The psychologist will work with the patient to develop goals and strategies that will help them to overcome their mental health issues.
Office Hours
Mon - Fri :
7 am - 11 pm
Sat - Sun :
9 am - 10 pm
Benefits of Supportive Therapy
There are many benefits to supportive therapy, including:
- Improved mental health
- Relief from symptoms caused by mental health issues
- Development of new skills that can be used to manage mental health issues
- Increased self-esteem and self-worth
- Reduced anxiety and prevention of further anxiety development
Supportive Therapy Techniques
There are a variety of supportive therapy techniques that can be used to help patients overcome their mental health issues. Some of these techniques include:
Alliance Building
This technique helps to create a supportive relationship between the psychologist and patient. It can help to build trust and make it easier for patients to discuss their problems openly. This typically occurs in a conversational style, where clients feel like the session is more collaborative than other types of treatment sessions.
Skill Building
This technique helps patients learn new skills that can be used to manage their mental health issues. It can help patients gain a sense of control over their lives and provide them with the tools they need to cope with difficult situations.
Esteem Building
This technique helps build self-esteem and self-worth in patients. It can help them to feel more positively, which can be helpful in managing mental health issues and help them live happier and more fulfilling lives.
Anxiety Reduction and Prevention
This technique can help to reduce anxiety in patients and prevent it from developing into more serious issues. It can involve relaxation techniques, stress management skills, and other methods that can help to calm the mind and body.
Awareness Expansion
This technique helps patients to become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It can help them to understand why they act the way they do and how their thoughts and emotions affect their life.
At Blair Wellness Group, we work to understand your specific symptoms, mental health history, and current problems before determining which technique(s) best suit you. We will provide you with personalized care designed to help you achieve the best outcome possible.
How Long Does Supportive Therapy Last?
The duration of supportive therapy depends on the individual and their specific needs. It can last anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on what is needed. It is not time limited, and is often used in conjunction with other methods of treatment for best results. However, it is important to understand that because supportive therapy is primarily focused on alliance building, it is considered a long-term treatment that can take a long time to produce results.
What to Look for in a Supportive Psychologist
Below are some key things to look for when you need a psychologist for supportive therapy.
- The psychologist should be licensed and have experience in supportive therapy.
- They should be able to build a strong therapeutic alliance with patients and be supportive and understanding.
- The psychologist should also have skills in skill building, esteem building, anxiety reduction/prevention, and awareness expansion.
- They should be empathetic and willing to listen to you discuss your issues, concerns, and thoughts.
- Your psychologist should have knowledge about other types of treatment as well.
If you’re interested in supportive therapy, Blair Wellness Group is here to help! We offer supportive therapy to patients in Beverly Hills and the surrounding area. We will take the time to understand your specific situation and provide you with the treatment we believe will best suit you. Contact our licensed clinical psychologists today to learn more about how supportive therapy may be able to help you overcome your mental health issues!