supportive psychotherapy

supportive psychotherapy /səpôr″tiv/ , a form of psychotherapy that concentrates on creating an effective means of communication with an emotionally disturbed person rather than on trying to produce psychological insight into the underlying conflicts. Through such supportive measures as reassurance, reinforcement of the person’s defenses, direction, suggestion, and persuasion, the therapist participates directly in the solution of specific problems. Compare nondirective therapy.