What is ISTDP?
Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) is the name given to the technique originated by Dr. Habib Davanloo of McGill University, Montreal, Canada. Dr. Davanloo created a large case study series in the 1960’s and 70’s and presented his structured technique across Canada, the US, and Europe. International training centres have developed over the years while others have furthered his work and/or built derivations of it.
ISTDP is a precise emotion-focused approach based on psychodynamic theory with techniques designed to clarify and intensify the therapeutic process so that long term structural changes can be accomplished in briefer periods than with traditional psychodynamic therapy
ISTDP has been (and continues to be) studied and researched for it’s effectiveness, long-term outcomes and cost-saving benefits. And the research is extremely positive!
Dr. Allan Abbass, Director of the Centre for Emotions and Health at Dalhousie University (Halifax NS) has over 17 published studies on the effectiveness of ISTDP and financial cost-savings of ISTDP to the Canadian medical system. (Click here for the publications list)
- The Archive of General Psychiatry
- Cochrane Studies
- Archive of General Psychiatry
- Video analysis of cases
- Long-term follow ups, qualitative, independent rater.
- Dr. David Malan and Dr. Patricia Coughlin Della Selva’s ten-year follow-up studies.
West Coast Canada Institute for ISTDP is the only ISTDP professional training program in Western Canada. We bring the top clinicians, presenters, researchers and teachers to Vancouver to advance the theory and practice of ISTDP and to help you be the best clinical professional you can be.