THE SUPPORTIVE-EXPRESSIVE MODEL: PRACTICAL INSTRUMENT OR NEUROTIC FICTION?

Abstract

The present work points to criticize the supportive-expressive model as well as the separation in it between psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. In fact, in spite of the in tention to resolve it, the supportive-expressive model seems to maintain the antithetical opposition between the most important two curative factors, attachment/interaction on one hand and exploration/interpretation on the other hand. This is the basis of the distinction between psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. The strong relation among the curative factors is examined and a return to a single psychodynamic psychotherapy, consistent with the adlerian point of view, is proposed. Its characteristics are, finally, briefly exposed