SUPPORTIVE THERAPY

The main objective of supportive psychotherapy is to bring the patient to an emotional equilibrium as rapidly as possible, with amelioration of symptoms, so that he can function at a level approximating his norms. An effort is made to strengthen existing defenses as well as to elaborate new and better mechanisms of maintaining control. There is no intent to change personality structure, although constructive characterological alterations may develop as a consequence of treatment when mastery has been restored.