Social Work Examination Services (SWES) Human Behavior Practice Test

A case manager at a job training and placement agency works with clients diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders, schizophrenia, or mood disorders with psychotic features. What is the treatment aimed at preventing further decompensation called?

1. Supportive therapy

2. Cognitive-behavioral therapy

3. Psychodynamic therapy

4. Family therapy

The correct answer is: Supportive therapy

Supportive therapy is designed to provide clients with a safe space in which they can express their thoughts and feelings while also receiving practical support and guidance. This approach is particularly crucial for individuals facing challenges associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders, schizophrenia, or mood disorders with psychotic features, as it focuses on helping clients manage their symptoms and improve their overall functioning. The aim of supportive therapy in this context is to prevent further decompensation, which refers to the deterioration of an individual’s mental state, often leading to increased symptoms or a crisis situation. By offering emotional support, reinforcing coping skills, and promoting adaptive behaviors, supportive therapy helps clients stabilize their condition and avoid setbacks that could lead to more severe episodes or hospitalizations. While cognitive-behavioral therapy is effective in addressing specific thought and behavior patterns, psychodynamic therapy focuses on unconscious processes and past experiences, and family therapy involves the dynamics within family relationships, they may not prioritize the immediate stabilization and practical support that supportive therapy emphasizes for clients who are at risk of decompensation. Thus, the correct answer reflects a targeted approach to maintaining mental health and preventing decline in clients with complex needs.