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supportive therapy

British  

noun

  1. med any treatment, such as the intravenous administration of certain fluids, designed to reinforce or sustain the physiological well-being of a patient

  2. psychol a form of therapy for mental disturbances employing guidance and encouragement to develop the patient's own resources

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Though plague remains a serious illness, antibiotic and supportive therapy is effective for even the most dangerous pneumonic form when patients are treated in time, according to the World Health Organization.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 13, 2024

Many social workers take more of a patient-centered approach focused on supportive therapy, which emphasizes empathetic listening and a supportive relationship with the patient.

From Slate • Feb. 28, 2022

The issue is that the supportive therapy delivers one of the active components of the cognitive behavioral therapy—therapist-patient connection—so this design will make the impact seem smaller.

From Slate • May 10, 2018

For example, we may compare eight sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy to eight sessions of supportive therapy.

From Slate • May 10, 2018

Doctors concentrate on "supportive therapy," or keeping the patient hydrated, ensuring they receive proper nutrition, monitoring blood pressure, and curing any secondary infections.

From The Verge • Jul. 29, 2014