Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy

by Patricia Coughlin, David H. Malan (Contributor), Della Selva

Traditionally, psychoanalytic treatment has been a lengthy endeavour, requiring a long-term commitment from patient and analyst, as well as vast financial resources. More recently, short-term approaches to psychoanalytic treatment have proliferated. One of the most well-known and thoroughly studied is the groundbreaking method of Intensive Short-term Dynamic Psychotherapy , developed by Dr. Habib Davanloo. Having trained directly with Dr. Davenloo, the author has written a clear, concise outline of the method that has come to be regarded as a classic in the field. The book is organised in a systematic fashion, analogous to the process of therapy itself, from initial contact through to termination and follow-up. Detailed clinical examples are presented throughout the text to illustrate how theory is translated into techniques of unparalleled power and effectiveness.

Genres: Psychology, Psychoanalysis

272 pages, Paperback

First published March 13, 1996

Reviews

[Dia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's very exciting to think that relief from deeply rooted, self-defeating habitual patterns is possible at all, let alone after just 10-40 weeks of therapy. After reading this book, I'm convinced that, for those who are up to the challenge of ISTDP and lucky enough to have a trained therapist in their vicinity, such change is possible. I am amazed by the brilliance of Ms. Della Selva, both as a practitioner and as one with a firm grasp of theory. It would seem to be a rare therapist who can do ISTDP as she does (there are none in my area; I searched, longingly).

Ms. Della Selva shares powerful excerpts from her sessions, showing that, early in the course of therapy, defenses can be addressed persistently and transference can be used fruitfully. She is clear about the need for the patient's full affective involvement; this is emotionally demanding work. The author also provides concise expositions of theory, always starting with Freud and then showing how Davanloo, Malan, and the author herself have retained/condensed classic psychoanalytic theory (or taken a side when the classic theory resulted in some controversy) and developed techniques that facilitate and accelerate the classic process. This is a great book for just reminding oneself of what the essence of psychoanalysis is (I somehow forget easily!), and, because of the depth and clarity of Ms. Della Selva's thinking, personal insights become available even as one reads.

My one grouch about this book is that the publisher did not do it justice. The first half of the chapter on grief isn't about grief and belongs elsewhere; there is no conclusion to the book; and there are diction errors (confusing "affect" and "effect," writing "Drs." for "doctors") that are just inexcusable in a book of such valuable content!

[Nazish Salahuddin]

anotehr one that I've been reading for a long time and really need to finish --hopefully before internship starts! so far, it's reallly good! but, novels are so much more fun...

[Monica Phelps]

WOW! This book makes a lot of sense! Slow going though because it is so intense.