What is Intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy? Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) is a form of psychotherapy that aims to help individuals overcome emotional and psychological difficulties by addressing the underlying emotional conflicts that cause them. ISTDP is typically a brief, focused, and intensive form of therapy, often lasting between 12 to 40 sessions, and is designed to help people make significant changes in their emotional functioning in a relatively short amount of time. The therapy is based on the principles of psychodynamic theory and emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship between the therapist and client. The therapist works with the client to help them identify and express their emotions, and to develop greater emotional awareness and self-understanding. This process helps clients to release pent-up emotions, reduce anxiety, and improve their overall emotional well-being. The ISTDP approach also places a strong emphasis on helping clients to develop more adaptive coping strategies and to improve their interpersonal relationships. It often involves the use of specific techniques such as affective experiencing, which involves encouraging clients to become aware of their emotions in the moment, and anxiety regulation, which helps clients to identify and manage the sources of their anxiety. Overall, ISTDP can be an effective form of therapy for individuals struggling with a range of emotional and psychological difficulties, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and personality disorders. However, it is important to note that ISTDP requires a significant level of commitment and effort from the client, as well as a skilled and experienced therapist who is trained in this approach. Shervan K Shahhian