Learning Supportive Psychotherapy: An Illustrated Guide (Corecompetencies in Psychotherapy)

We are pleased to present a revised edition of our book, Learning Supportive Psychotherapy, first published in 2004 as Introduction to Supportive Psychotherapy and revised in 2012. One of our authors, Dr. Henry Pinsker, has retired, but we have been fortunate to find an outstanding new coauthor, Dr. Laura Roberts, who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this new edition.This book is written for beginning therapists who need to learn the fundamentals of psychotherapy and in particular need to learn how to talk with psychotherapy patients. All practitioners search for effective ways to treat patients. We believe that the beginning resident attempting to practice supportive psychotherapy needs clear guidelines for the conduct and progression of psychotherapy from beginning to end. Accordingly, we have attempted to present straightforward guidelines to help the beginner in four major areas:• Forming and maintaining a positive therapeutic alliance• Understanding and formulating patients’ problems• Setting realistic treatment goals• Knowing what to say to patients (technique)

The domain of supportive psychotherapy has expanded in recent years, reflecting changes in how psychotherapy is conducted and the role psychotherapy plays in caring for individuals facing difficult life experiences or living with diverse mental and physical disorders. This new, thoroughly revised and up-to-date edition of Learning Supportive Psychotherapy: An Illustrated Guide (first published as Introduction to Supportive Psychotherapy) instructs beginning psychotherapists in the fundamentals of this treatment modality, which focuses on patients' overall health and well-being and their ability to adapt constructively to their life circumstances.

The linchpin of supportive psychotherapy -- and, indeed, all psychotherapy -- is the establishment of a true therapeutic alliance. Accordingly, the authors provide readers with skills aimed at instilling trust and establishing a productive therapeutic relationship, including techniques for alliance building, enhancing ego functioning, and reducing and preventing anxiety. In addition, the authors explore the general framework of supportive psychotherapy, including indications, phases of treatment, initiation and termination of sessions, and professional boundaries; explain how to perform a thorough patient evaluation and case formulation; and describe the process of setting realistic goals with the patient.

The following features and areas of focus enhance the book's utility: • Integral to the text's practical approach are the video case vignettes that accompany several of the chapters. These videos model effective psychotherapeutic techniques and strategies, which readers can incorporate into their skill sets.• The chapter on crisis intervention has been thoroughly revised to integrate recent research findings on posttraumatic stress disorder, suicide, and critical incident stress management, and the illustrative multipart case vignette provides a therapeutic narrative that is compelling, relatable, and instructive.• The material on the therapeutic alliance focuses on skill building, including how to anticipate and avoid disruption in treatment, how to discuss the therapeutic relationship with the patient, how to modify distorted perceptions using clarification and confrontation, how to deal with negative transference and therapeutic impasses, and how to reframe statements in a supportive manner.• Outcome research receives its own chapter, in which the authors review the robust evidence base for the efficacy of supportive psychotherapy, including a number of outcome trials, bolstering the necessity of learning the techniques outlined in the book.• The book concludes with 75 questions and answers to test the reader's comprehension and identify areas for further study.

This new edition of Learning Supportive Psychotherapy: An Illustrated Guide builds on the well-earned reputation of previous editions. Beginning clinicians first learning the techniques of psychotherapy and veterans who must assess competence in the psychiatry residents they supervise will find the help they need in this down-to-earth, clinically rich guide.

"Learning Supportive Psychotherapy, second edition (first published in 2004 as Introduction to Supportive Psychotherapy and revised in 2012) is written for beginning therapists who need to learn the fundamentals of psychotherapy and in particular need to learn how to talk with psychotherapy patients. The book provides to the beginning resident clear guidelines for the conduct and progression of supportive psychotherapy in four major areas: forming and maintaining a positive therapeutic alliance, understanding and formulating patients' problems, setting realistic treatment goals, and knowing what to say to patients (technique). Included are a discussion of crisis intervention and the applicability of supportive psychotherapy to special populations, including patients with chronic mental illness, substance use disorders, and co-occurring conditions. The book also includes a discussion of how to determine whether a psychiatry resident has achieved competence in supportive psychotherapy and concludes with a presentation of the evidence for the efficacy of supportive psychotherapy, including a number of outcome trials"--Provided by publisher Cover 1 Half Title 2 Title Page 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 Introduction 10 Acknowledgments 12 Video Guide 14 1 Evolution of the Concept of Supportive Psychotherapy 16 2 Principles and Mode of Action 28 3 Assessment, Case Formulation, and Goal Setting 48 4 Techniques 68 5 General Framework of Supportive Psychotherapy 104 6 The Therapeutic Relationship 120 7 Crisis Intervention 136 8 Applicability to Special Populations 156 9 Evaluating Competence and Outcome Research 178 10 Questions for Self-Study 194 References 206 Index 224 Back Cover 234 Arnold Winston,Richard N. Rosenthal and This New Edition, Accompanied By Carefully Scripted Case Vignette Videos, Is Designed To Help Beginning Therapists Learn How To Build A Relationship And Establish Rapport With Psychotherapy Patients. It Has Been Thoroughly Updated To Offer Clear And Complete Coverage Of The Concept And Principles Of Supportive Psychotherapy.