Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) is a short form of psychodynamic therapy treatment model initially developed by Dr. Habib Davanloo incorporating experiental, emotion based, attachment models as well as unique biophysiological model of anxiety. 

ISTDP is designed to resolve unconscious emotional conflicts that contribute to psychological and physical difficulties. The therapy focuses on identifying unconscious  and maladaptive defense mechanisms, and processing and building capacity for tolerating and fully experiencing complex emotions at optimal anxiety levels while working with the unconscious together with the client to bring about deep therapeutic change.

The therapy process involves identifying unconscious resistance, exploring past attachment trauma, and fostering a deep therapeutic alliance to help the patient overcome self-sabotaging patterns. 

ISTDP is known for its efficiency and depth, often producing significant and long lasting change as greater self-awareness, emotional freedom, and improved relationships.

Among others, 

• Emphasis on Direct Emotional Experiences: Patients are encouraged to directly experience and process emotions rather than avoid them.
• Defense Work: Therapists help patients recognize and abandon maladaptive defense mechanisms that block emotional expression and cause suffering
• Anxiety Regulation: Therapy includes real-time monitoring and management of anxiety responses via three distinct anxiety discharge pathways which makes it very effective in working with wide range of anxiety disorders and fostering deeper explorations
• The Unconscious Therapeutic Alliance (UTA): The therapist supportively works with the patient to mobilize innate unconscious healing strivings to rise and overcome maladaptive defences thus improving overall condition and bringing positive character changes.
• Active and Intensive Approach: ISTDP therapist is active, supporting, empathic and engaging, with direct interventions aimed at accelerating insight and change of the client.
• Duration: ISTDP is a form of short-term dynamic therapy and can last from 1 – 40 or more sessions  depending on the patient’s psychological structure of resistance and magnitude of psychological problems

Research on Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) has demonstrated its effectiveness in treating a wide range of psychological and psychosomatic disorders, including anxiety, depression, personality disorders, and chronic pain conditions. Dr. Habib Davanloo developed ISTDP through systematic analysis of audio-visually recorded therapy sessions, allowing for detailed observation and refinement of techniques, while other researchers and practitioners added to the model’s implementation to a wider clinical populations.

Multiple clinical trials and meta-analyses have shown that ISTDP can produce significant and lasting improvements in both mental health symptoms and overall functioning, often in fewer sessions compared to traditional psychodynamic therapies. Studies have also highlighted ISTDP’s ability to reduce healthcare costs by decreasing the need for long-term treatment and medical interventions for somatic symptoms.

Over the past several decades, hundreds of research studies have examined ISTDP’s clinical applications, with key findings published in peer-reviewed journals such as Psychodynamic Psychiatry, Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, and Current Psychiatry Reviews.

Journal of Contemporary ISTDP is an open-access, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to ISTDP, featuring empirical studies, case reports, and theoretical discussions. It serves as a platform for the ISTDP community to share knowledge and insights.

Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) offers rapid and lasting symptom relief by directly addressing deep-seated emotional conflicts that contribute to psychological distress. 

Unlike traditional long-term therapies, ISTDP aims to create meaningful change in a shorter time frame, making it highly efficient for wide spectrum of clinical problems such as anxiety, depression, personality disorders, psychosomatic conditions and more. By helping clients overcome defense mechanisms and experience repressed emotions, ISTDP leads to improved emotional regulation, healthier relationships with self, others and the world building greater psychological resilience.

Beyond individual benefits, ISTDP has been shown to reduce overall healthcare costs by decreasing duration of therapy and reliance on long-term therapies and medications. Its effectiveness in treating treatment-resistant cases makes it a valuable option for individuals who have not responded well to other forms of therapy. Additionally, ISTDP’s structured approach allows therapists to assess progress in real-time, ensuring a focused and dynamic treatment process that fosters deep personal transformation.

Taking the first step into therapy is a meaningful act of self-care that can open the door to real emotional change. ISTDP-Hub is designed to help you confidently explore Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy and connect with professionals who practice it worldwide.

Use our Therapist Directory to find someone who resonates with your needs, whether you prefer in-person support or secure online sessions. You can contact them directly from ISTDP-Hub and request a meeting. 

Each profile offers insights into the therapist’s background, training, areas of focus, and personal approach, so you can choose with clarity and comfort. If you’re new to ISTDP, take a moment to read more on introduction to the method and its powerful impact on anxiety, depression, and emotional well-being.