stdp patient smiling

Healing with STDP (Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy)

STDP (Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy) is a collection of evidence-based treatments (ISTDP, APT, AEDP) for varied emotional problems, such as anxiety, OCD, depression, chronic guilt and shame, and low self-esteem. These approaches can also address physical disorders that are exacerbated by stress, such as digestive/GI tract problems, chronic pain (e.g. back, neck, tension myositis syndrome), headaches, cognitive fogginess, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue. You can learn more about how emotions can generate physical issues in my post on chronic pain.

STDP centers around helping clients learn to pay close in-the-moment attention to the relationship between the body, emotions, and mental habits. This approach often succeeds where other psychotherapies fail because it specifically targets and removes the psychological barriers that interfere with opening up in therapy and connecting to core emotions. These barriers that show up in therapy are often the very same psychological habits and patterns that maintain symptoms and create problems in relationships.

The role of the therapist in STDP is to help the client see and address problematic psychological patterns in the moment. I will point out behaviors I notice moment-by-moment in the therapy session. I do this in a respectful and supportive manner, so my client can see and make a choice about these habits.  I am often helping clients become aware of what are usually automatic, unconscious, and unexamined behaviors.  Clients then can then begin to manage the emotions and mental habits that directly affect their emotional and physical symptoms, ultimately creating improved psychological and physical health.

There are various reasons I might use my STDP skills. In some cases, the client’s goal is to address the emotional aspects of physical issues, which generally means I will start with an STDP approach. In other cases, it may be that as we work it becomes clear to me that a close focus on emotions and associated barriers to accessing emotions would be helpful.  I also integrate STDP techniques fluidly into other forms of treatment (e.g. EMDR).

The STDP approach is designed to help you be more resilient in present and future challenges. Many of my clients have commented on how empowering to finally be able to feel what what they feel, and know what they know, and be able to make decisions and take action from that clear, conscious place. Healthy expression, self-care, and assertion replaces old anxious or depressive habits. Clients indicate they are able to make positive changes in their relationships and job performance when they are able to let go of old beliefs, defenses, and emotional patterns.

Although STDP can be effective using a standard 45- to 50-minute session, it is often more effective in longer sessions. This is particularly true for the intake appointment and when the focus is on physical symptoms. The additional time allows us clearly assess what is contributing to the problem(s) you are facing and help you to make changes as quickly as possible. A 2.5 to 3-hour intake session and 75-90 minute follow up sessions can be most helpful to most quickly assess and address core issues. We can discuss the best approach for you based on your situation.

Should you be the type who likes to read research papers, there are numerous studies demonstrating the efficacy of ISTDP for numerous psychological and unresolved medical symptoms that are often stress related (e.g. IBS, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue)!

Want to get started today? You can contact me today by text, by e-mail or by phone 805.975.8399 to set up an appointment. If you are interested in STDP specifically, please mention that.

I also offer Teletherapy for California residents who are traveling or otherwise unable to come to my office.