What is ISTDP?

Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) is a powerful therapeutic approach designed to help individuals quickly access and process deep emotional experiences, fostering lasting psychological change and healing.

ISTDP is a focused type of talk therapy, developed by Dr. Habib Davanloo. In ISTDP, the basic theory is that most psychological disorders occur due to the emotional effects of disrupted attachments. Interruptions and trauma to human attachments may cause intense feelings that may become blocked and avoided. When things later in life stir up these complex feelings, anxiety and defenses may be activated and lead to symptoms.

ISTDP is an interactive therapy where both the therapist and client work together to identify the way the person experiences their anxiety and the defenses which arise to block the painful feelings from surfacing. When these feelings are experienced, anxiety and defenses decrease. Working through the avoided feelings can often bring about symptom improvement, behavioural changes and help to develop healthy coping mechanisms and relationships.

ISTDP has been found to be effective in several key areas, such as:

Anxiety Disorders: By helping clients confront and process underlying emotions, reducing anxiety symptoms and improving emotional regulation.
Depression: By focusing on accessing repressed feelings and promoting emotional expression, leading to significant improvements in depressive symptoms.
PTSD & Trauma: Facilitates the processing of traumatic experiences, enabling clients to integrate these events and reduce their impact on daily life.
Personality Disorders: The approach effectively addresses maladaptive patterns and defenses, promoting healthier interpersonal relationships and self-perception.
Grief and Loss: ISTDP helps individuals work through complex grief, including unresolved or suppressed feelings, enabling them to process their loss in a healthy way and move forward with a sense of emotional resolution.

Chronic Pain and Psychosomatic Issues: ISTDP can help individuals with chronic pain by addressing emotional factors that contribute to physical symptoms.
Relationship Issues: By improving emotional awareness and communication skills, ISTDP helps clients navigate interpersonal conflicts and enhance their relationships.
Self-Esteem and Identity: The therapy fosters a deeper understanding of self, promoting greater self-acceptance and improved self-esteem.
Chronic Psychological Issues: For individuals with longstanding psychological issues that have been resistant to other forms of therapy, ISTDP can offer a fresh approach and significant relief.
Whether you're going through IVF, donor conception, surrogacy, or pregnancy loss, ISTDP can support you to stay emotionally connected, grounded, and open — within yourself and in your relationships.