ISTDP: A Unique Approach
Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy
As your therapist, I would work in partnership with you to address the problems you face. One way we could do this is by using a unique approach known as ISTDP.[1]
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ISTDP is an emotion-based therapy method in which we address your goals and difficulties in an active and focused way.
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Compared with traditional psychotherapy, ISTDP often provides much faster relief. Research has shown that ISTDP can address a wide spectrum of issues, including:
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depression
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anxiety
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relationship difficulties
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stagnation and procrastination
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personality disorders
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trauma and abuse
ISTDP has also proven effective in treating medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS), including headaches, backaches, body aches, and IBS. (See MUPS page for more information.)
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What Should I Expect From Our First Meeting?
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Our first meeting would usually be an extended session of two to three hours. In this initial meeting, we work together toward five key objectives:
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Understand the difficulties that are bringing you to treatment.
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Clarify your most important goals.
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Pay close attention to you and your emotions.
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Practice regulating anxiety as we explore the problems you have come to address.
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Pay close attention to mental habits that may be contributing to your difficulties.
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By the end of this initial session, we usually have some idea about what’s causing your symptoms and suffering.
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Research has shown that many people experience symptom relief from this initial session alone.[2] For 25% of people who complete an initial 2–3-hour session, these improvements are moderate to large.
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[1] ISTPD = Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy.
[2] Abbass, A., Town, Ogrodniczuk, J., Joffres, M., Lilliengren, P. (2017). Intensive Short-term Dynamic Psychotherapy Trial Therapy: Effectiveness and Role of “Unlocking the Unconscious,” The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 205, pp. 453-457.
For more information about ISTDP, visit the ISTDP Institute.
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