Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy - ISTDP

Our feelings are what make us feel alive and vital, energize us to meet and deal with life’s challenges, and point us in the best direction to get what we really want. Our feelings are what bridge the gap between ourselves and others, enliven our relationships, and help us feel close. And it’s our discomfort with our feelings that keeps us detached from the wisdom and power inside us, and at a distance from others. Most of us are afraid of our feelings. We’re afraid to feel the full extent of our emotions and afraid of being emotionally alive and present with others. We’re afraid of being vulnerable, of drawing attention to ourselves, of looking like a fool. We’re afraid of being overwhelmed, of losing control, of getting out of hand. We’re afraid of being seen for who we really are. So what do we do? We avoid our feelings and do everything we can to steer clear of them, to keep them hidden. We distract ourselves, push our feelings aside, stuff them back in, and hope they’ll go away. But they don’t.

This is where Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) comes in. In ISTDP we pay attention to the healthy parts of you that want freedom while at the same time attending to the part of you that wants to avoid getting in touch with your feelings. We are repeatedly reminding you of your healthy longings for health and freedom and inviting you to experience your true feelings. When avoidance gets in the way of progress we will use interventions so as to model for you how to stand up to the forces of avoidance that have outlasted their usefulness. Ultimately, you come to realize your true potential to feel fully alive, vital, and deeply connected to your experience of yourself, others, and the world. You will overcome your fear, awaken to the emotional richness inside you, and feel more intimately connected to the people in your life.