Briefly describe how supportive and interpersonal psychotherapies are similar.

Both supportive psychotherapy and interpersonal psychotherapy share some similarities in their approach to treating mental health disorders. One similarity is that they are both time-limited therapies that usually involve short-term treatment periods. Another similarity is that both therapies aim to improve the patient’s quality of life, functioning, and relationships with others.

Additionally, both therapies involve establishing a therapeutic relationship with the patient, which allows for open communication and exploration of their thoughts and feelings. Both therapies may also include interventions that address specific symptoms or issues, such as problem-solving or coping skills.

However, there are also some differences between the two therapies. Supportive psychotherapy tends to be more flexible and tailored to the individual patient’s needs, while interpersonal psychotherapy focuses more specifically on interpersonal relationships and their impact on the patient’s mental health. Interpersonal psychotherapy also tends to be more structured and manualized than supportive psychotherapy, with a specific focus on addressing interpersonal issues that may be contributing to the patient’s mental health concerns.

References: Luborsky, L. (1984). Principles of psychoanalytic psychotherapy: A manual for supportive-expressive treatment. Basic Books. Markowitz, J. C., & Weissman, M. M. (2004). Interpersonal psychotherapy: principles and applications. World Psychiatry, 3(3), 136–139. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1414667/