Supportive psychotherapy : an exploratory study of expressed views, feelings, practices and problems
Supportive psychotherapy is documented as the psychological treatment of choice for patients with severe psychopathology. It follows that this psychotherapy is particularly relevant to psychiatric hospitals which predominantly treat this category of patient. This study takes place at such a hospital. Problems which have implications for the practice and development of supportive psychotherapy, both at the hospital concerned and in general, have been reported. With a view to addressing these problems at the hospital, this dissertation explores some of the views, feelings, practices and problems regarding supportive psychotherapy reported by a number of clinicians at the hospital. An essentially qualitative research approach, involving interviews with 26 clinicians from various professional disciplines, is employed. A number of potential problems pertaining to terminology, definition, theoretical framework, referral, training and clinician attitudes are raised and discussed. Recommendations are made which are applicable to the hospital concerned, to teaching institutions, and to interested psychotherapists.
Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations