- Figure out if it’s what you need right now
Ask yourself:
-
- Am I flooded and need emotional support more than change?
- Do I want a therapist who listens, supports, and helps me cope day-to-day?
- Am I not ready (or willing) to dive into intense trauma or cognitive work yet?
If you’re nodding “yes,” supportive therapy is probably a good fit.
- Look for the right type of therapist
Not every therapist labels themselves as “supportive,” but many use supportive techniques, particularly:
-
- Counseling psychologists.
- Clinical social workers.
- General therapists specializing in depression, anxiety, grief, or life transitions.
When researching or interviewing therapists, ask questions like:
-
- “Do you focus on emotional support and coping skills?”
- “How directive are you in sessions?”
- “Do you prioritize validation and resilience-building?”
You want someone who values the relationship first, not just skills or deep analysis.
- Set clear goals with your therapist
Supportive therapy can be open-ended, but it’s helpful to say:
-
- “I want to feel stronger and more emotionally stable.”
- “I need help coping with daily stress without feeling exhausted.”
- “I’m not ready for trauma work right now because I need to build resilience first.”
This helps your therapist tailor sessions to your current emotional needs.
- Commit to regular sessions even when you feel “okay”
Supportive therapy builds strength over time, like mental fitness.
-
- Keep showing up even if you’re feeling alright some weeks.
- Think of it as maintenance for your mental health, not just crisis management.
- Be open to evolving your therapy journey later
Supportive therapy can be your first step, and as you stabilize, you might shift toward:
-
- More structured skill-building (like CBT).
- Deeper insight work (like psychodynamic therapy).
- Trauma-focused treatments (like EMDR).
And that’s normal and healthy. Therapy evolves as you evolve.
Join our forum and Facebook
Please consider joining our forum and Facebook if you enjoyed reading this and would like to chat with like-minded peers about anything depression related.
It would certainly go a long way toward making my dream of creating a thriving, supportive community a reality!
