title: A randomized prospective study comparing supportive and dynamic therapies. Outcome and alliance.
abstract: The authors report preliminary results of Brief Supportive Psychotherapy (BSP) in the Beth Israel Brief Psychotherapy Program for a sample with primarily Cluster C Axis II disorders. This study compares 24 patients treated with BSP with 25 patients treated with Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (STDP). STDP was chosen because its confrontational methods contrast dramatically to BSP, which emphasizes building self-esteem, reducing anxiety, and enhancing coping mechanisms. Videotaped therapies were based on manualized 40-session protocols. Similar degrees of improvement were seen in BSP and STDP at termination and at 6-month follow-up. A study of therapeutic alliance in BSP showed stable and high levels of alliance in good-outcome cases and more variability in poor-outcome cases. These preliminary findings are consistent with other studies and suggest supportive psychotherapy may be effective for many patients, leading to significant and lasting change.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY 10003, USA.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hellerstein
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Rosenthal
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pinsker
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Samstag
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Muran
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Winston
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011613:Psychotherapy