Supportive-Expressive Psychotherapy (SE) is an analytically oriented, time-limited form of focal psychotherapy that has been adapted for use with individuals with heroin and cocaine addiction. Particular emphasis is given to themes related to drug dependence, the role of drugs in relation to problem feelings and behaviors, and alternative, drug-free means of resolving problems. SE comprises two main components. The first component uses supportive techniques designed to allow patients to feel comfortable in discussing their own personal experiences. In this phase, the therapist focuses on developing a helping relationship with the patient and on identifying and bolstering the patient’s strengths and areas of competence. The second component involves the use of expressive techniques to assist the patient in understanding his or her problematic relationship patterns, so that the patient can work through these themes within the context of the patient-therapist relationship. To achieve this goal, the therapist employs unreflective listening, evaluative understanding, and responding to identify the problematic relationship themes. SE helps patients explore the meanings they attach to their drug dependence and address their relationship problems more directly, thus allowing the patients to find better solutions to life problems than drug use.