ISTDP (Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy)
My approach to the work of therapy revolves around a unique modality known as ISTDP, short for Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy, in which I am currently receiving ongoing training and clinical supervision.
In the words of Dr. Allan Abbass: "ISTDP is by definition an integrated treatment model. It includes cognitive work, emotional regulation work, psychic integration or 'parts work', graded exposure, emotional experiencing and processing of trauma nested in a psychodynamic frame".
This therapeutic modality is an active and experiential way of working which may often involve talking about difficult aspects of your experience. It is highly possible that you will encounter hard feelings such as grief, anger, and guilt during the process. This may well be a vital step towards healing for you.
In the words of Dr. Allan Abbass: "ISTDP is by definition an integrated treatment model. It includes cognitive work, emotional regulation work, psychic integration or 'parts work', graded exposure, emotional experiencing and processing of trauma nested in a psychodynamic frame".
This therapeutic modality is an active and experiential way of working which may often involve talking about difficult aspects of your experience. It is highly possible that you will encounter hard feelings such as grief, anger, and guilt during the process. This may well be a vital step towards healing for you.
The Process of ISTDP Therapy
In your therapy sessions I will focus upon you with utmost care, looking for patterns in the ways in which you relate to others, and most importantly, how you relate to yourself. I will also focus on what is happening in the moment between the two of us, with a particular interest in how you are describing your emotional experience, what is being indirectly communicated, what is being avoided, and what your anxiety is like.
I will reflect back what I observe, in accordance with your therapeutic goals, and you are encouraged to let me know if I have missed or misinterpreted anything. You are also encouraged to be honest about your feelings in response to what I reflect back; we can uncover a great deal about how your internal system is organized by noticing how you deal with your emotional responses towards me, which will likely also mirror how you deal with your emotional responses towards others.
This kind of in-the-moment focus is an integral part of the ISTDP modality and is key to us understanding your specific problems and facilitating their resolution in as short a time as possible.