What is ISTDP?
ISTDP stands for Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy. It is a form of psychodynamic psychotherapy that focuses on exploring and resolving unconscious emotional conflicts and defenses. ISTDP is designed to be a brief, focused, and intensive therapy approach, often delivered in a time-limited format.
Key features of ISTDP include:
Emphasis on Emotional Experience: ISTDP places a strong emphasis on understanding and processing emotional experiences, particularly those that are unconscious or repressed. The goal is to bring these emotions into conscious awareness to facilitate healing.
Identification of Defenses: The therapist works with the patient to identify and explore defense mechanisms that may be preventing the individual from fully experiencing and expressing their emotions. Common defenses include repression, denial, and avoidance.
Exploration of Resistance: ISTDP pays attention to resistance, which refers to the patient's reluctance or barriers to exploring certain emotions or topics. By addressing and working through resistance, the therapy aims to uncover deeper emotional material.
Promotion of Emotional Expression: ISTDP encourages the expression of emotions, including those that may be uncomfortable or painful. The therapist helps the patient tolerate and process these emotions in a supportive and safe environment.
Focus on the Therapeutic Relationship: The therapeutic relationship is considered crucial in ISTDP. The therapist actively engages with the patient, providing support, guidance, and interpretations to facilitate emotional exploration and resolution of conflicts.
Time-Limited Nature: ISTDP is typically a time-limited therapy, often spanning a few sessions to several months. The focus on intensity and efficiency distinguishes it from more traditional, long-term psychodynamic approaches.
Video Recording: In some ISTDP sessions, therapists may use video recording to review and analyze patient-therapist interactions. This can provide valuable insights into patterns of defense and resistance.
ISTDP is used to address a range of psychological difficulties, including anxiety, depression, somatic symptoms, and interpersonal issues. It is especially suited for individuals who are motivated for deep emotional exploration and can tolerate the intensity of the therapeutic process.
More information on ISTDP is available at the following links:
Reaching Through Resistance, Dr. Allan Abbas
California Society for Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy
