Supportive and Interpersonal Psychotherapies
Introduction
Supportive and interpersonal psychotherapies are effective approaches that mental health counselors utilize to resolve various problems. The two models have various similarities that assist therapists in using them to handle diverse mental problems such as depression. Therapists can use them to resolve problems among teenagers and elderly clients or people who are doing through various transitions in life. Interpersonal psychotherapy helps clients deal with unresolved grief or depression while supportive psychotherapy provides clients with an opportunity to express themselves (Sockol, 2018). The purpose of the paper is to examine the similarities and differences between the supportive and interpersonal psychotherapy and identifying the best approach to use during therapy.
Similarities
The two psychotherapies are effective in handling conditions such as depression. They are also applicable to both teenagers, adults, and the elderly. Supportive and interpersonal psychotherapies also help people in different conditions or stages of life (Lenze & Potts, 2017). For example, they are effective in helping pregnant or nursing mothers, divorcees, and teenagers with destructive behavior. The two approaches are also important since they help clients to freely express themselves (Lenze & Potts, 2017). They are effective in combating phobia, fear, and stress. The two models are effective and thus widely used by mental health practitioners to address multiple problems.
Differences
Interpersonal psychotherapy addresses interpersonal deficits such as isolation, manage unresolved grief, provide help during life transitions, and interpersonal disputes. On the other hand, supportive psychotherapy provides an opportunity for clients to express themselves (Melton et al., 2019). It provides comfort, advice, encouragement, listening, attention, and sympathy. Supportive psychotherapy helps patients to overcome emotional problems by recommending various changes. One of the changes is making friends avoid loneliness and promote positive behavior. Conversely, interpersonal psychotherapy deals with depressive disorders such as drug and alcohol, eating, mood, and addiction (Melton et al., 2019). However, it does not focus on internal conflicts that can alter the behavior of an individual. Despite the differences, the two approaches are effective across various patients to promote positive behavior (Melton et al., 2019). The differences impact mental health therapist since they determine the approach a practitioner will select to attend to various clients. Therapists also must understand the process of applying the therapeutic approaches.
The best therapeutic approach I can select to provide help to clients is interpersonal psychotherapy. It is effective for clients who are managing the transition in their life. For instance, it is effective for clients with unresolved grief and interpersonal conflicts (Lenze & Potts, 2017). The challenges are some of the major problems that cause destructive behaviors among people such as drug abuse or violence (Melton et al., 2019). The therapy can help people to deal with other challenges in their lives. It is also a brief form of therapy that applies to diverse groups of people.
Conclusion
Supportive and interpersonal psychotherapies are essential approaches that mental health counselors can utilize to provide care to clients. They utilize different approaches despite their major similarities. Mental health counselors should select the therapies depending on the problems patients are going through. They apply to clients across various age groups or life transitions. Interpersonal therapies are one of the best since it helps people in various stages of life to deal with diverse challenges such as drug abuse or divorce. Mental health counselors should learn various strategies and principles of supportive and interpersonal psychotherapies to address multiple problems among clients.
References
Lenze, S. N., & Potts, M. A. (2017). Brief Interpersonal Psychotherapy for depression during pregnancy in a low-income population: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Affective Disorders, 210, 151-157.
Melton, L., Brewer, B., Kolva, E., Joshi, T., & Bunch, M. (2017). Increasing access to care for young adults with cancer: Results of a quality-improvement project using a novel telemedicine approach to supportive group psychotherapy. Palliative & Supportive Care, 15(2), 176.
Sockol, L. E. (2018). A systematic review and meta-analysis of interpersonal psychotherapy for perinatal women. Journal of Affective Disorders, 232, 316-328.
