What kind of therapeutic modality is on offer?

The therapeutic approach I offer for  individual psychotherapy treatment is Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP). I am also trained in CBT, and have experience with many other forms of psychotherapy. 

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ISTDP is not a therapy that is “done to you”; it is a collaborative activity with your therapist. You will be asked to actively join:

1. identifying the particular problem you want my help with;

2. establishing your most important goals;

3. observing yourself closely and accurately;

4. practicing how to regulate your anxiety;

5. learning which habits of mind and behaviours you automatically use [defences] that keep you from accomplishing your goals; and

6. deactivating those blocks [defences] so you can achieve what you want. This process leads to a more caring, invigorated relationship with yourself and with others.  (SOURCE: Dr Nat Kuhn)

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How many sessions might I need?

ISTDP is a time-limited dynamic therapy. While client's typically report benefits from even one session, depending on your needs, you can expect to attend between 8-40 sessions, lasting either 60 or 90 minutes, in order to make significant progress in understanding your emotional self and to embed self-caring habits for better mental health. 

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Effectiveness

​ISTDP is an effective intervention model for people with a range of difficulties, including, amongst others:

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- Addiction

- Anger

- Anxiety

- Apathy

- Concentration problems

- Depression

- Despair

- Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)

- Grief

- Health problems

- Hopelessness 

- Medically unexplained symptoms

- Relationship problems (including work, friendship, romantic, or family relationships)

- Self-harm and suicidality 

- Stress 

- Work problems

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ISTDP has demonstrated efficacy in alleviating symptoms, as well as interpersonal and character problems in many studies, including case studies and randomized controlled trials. ​It is found to be effective in many different psychiatric conditions including chronic pain (Lilliengren et al, 2020), anxiety disorders (Rocco et al., 2014), generalized anxiety disorder (Lilliengren et al, 2017), depressive disorder, panic disorder (including obsessive compulsive disorder and phobia),  and somatic symptom disorders (Abbass et al, 2008, 2009).  ​It also has showed effectiveness in  treatment-resistant depression (Abbass, 2006; Cornelissen & Verhuel, 2002), eating disorders (Nowoweiski et al, 2011), as well as personality disorders (Abbass et al., 2008, 2012, 2013; Town & Driessen, 2013).

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When considering psychotherapy...

There are many potential benefits arising from engaging in the process of psychotherapy, including improved emotional and psychological well-being, positive changes in the brain and body, fewer medical problems, and increased life satisfaction.

 

However, therapy is not a passive process for the client; it involves commitment in order to get the most from the process. There are some potential downsides, too. Psychotherapy is an emotional process and it raise painful memories and feelings. Though rare, some people find psychotherapy distressing or retraumatising, and it can lead to negative outcomes or worse symptoms. 

 

Choosing a therapist 

Research strongly suggests that the better the quality of the relationship between therapist and client the more likely the therapy is to be of significant benefit for the client. See the Baier, Kline, Feen (2020) for a review. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272735820301094

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The British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy have produced a guide to

choosing a therapist - please click the pdf icon to view it..