Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy covers a broad spectrum of problems and ailments. From difficulties coping with daily life, to serious problems beyond adaptive capacity, including: trauma, loss of health and fitness, and mental and emotional health conditions, including depression and anxiety. ISTDP can be combined with pharmacotherapy and other forms of psychological therapies.

 

The ISTDP Center was created by IEDTA certified supervisors and teachers. The ISTDP model we promote involves minimal use of pressure, is focused on a thorough understanding of the patient and his or her problems, and the intensity of the work is tailored to the patient’s adaptive ego capacity. We pay special attention to working with defenses and anxiety and restructuring coping mechanisms. We want the patient to become increasingly aware of the processes he or she activates in relationship with self and others and to regain freedom in making choices and in action.
 
Under the patient’s consent, sessions are recorded on camera, which allows for a thorough analysis of the session by the psychotherapist and for consultation with an experienced supervisor when necessary.
The patient thus receives professional and effective help.

Use of Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP)

People come to our center seeking help for problems in both mental health and emotional functioning, including;
  • Anxiety disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias, panic disorder, generalized anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Mood disorders such as dysthymia, depression, or bipolar disorder
  • Addictions excluding severe and active addiction to alcohol and other psychoactive substances;
  • Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, BED
  • Personality disorders such as avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive, passive-aggressive, depressive, paranoid, schizotypal, histrionic, narcissistic, borderline, or antisocial personality

 

Many times, people without a diagnosis or specific problems also come in, wanting to help themselves in everyday life and work situations:
  • Those wishing to begin psychotherapeutic training, particularly in ISTDP
  • Experienced psychotherapists recognizing their limitations when working with patients
  • Physicians, nurses, and other helping professionals currently experiencing excessive systemic stress and risk of burnout
  • Individuals wishing to resolve conflict situations with their partner or significant other
  • People in perinatal, gender reassignment, coming out situations
  • Experiencing anxiety related to job change, bullying or mistreatment in the work environment
  • Wanting to cope with significant stressors or traumas such as the betrayal or loss of a loved one, a job, a close companion – a dog, cat or other animal
  • People who want to deal with inappropriate reactions such as angry outbursts at work, at home, or while driving
  • People who want to confront their health issues (chronic and terminal illnesses, chronic pain), the issue of aging
  • Experiencing violence, abuse, or sexual assault
  • Reporting trouble sleeping or a general feeling of fatigue

 

Increasingly, we are seeing situations where emotional problems have a significant impact on the biological functioning of the body, this includes symptoms such as:
  • Bruxism – teeth grinding
  • Temporomandibular joint syndrome
  • Fibromyalgia – whole body pain
  • Recurrent injuries due to increased tension
  • Back pain, cervical pain, thoracic pain or lumbar pain
  • Pain in the buttock or back of the thigh due to piriformis muscle syndrome
  • Tension headaches
  • Migraine headaches
  • Chronic tendonitis
  • Vulvodynia
  • Sciatic pain syndrome
  • Foot pain syndromes
  • Myofascial pain syndrome

 

Our patients also report problems related to psychophysiological processes of the autonomic nervous system, including
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Interstitial cystitis (irritable bladder syndrome)
  • POTS syndrome — Postural orthostatic tachycardia
  • Abnormal sinus tachycardia
  • Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, Sudeck syndrome: (Algodystrophic syndrome)
  • Insomnia
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome,
  • Systemic disease associated with exercise intolerance
  • Paresthesias (numbness, tingling, burning)
  • Noise in the ears
  • Dizziness
  • Spastic dysphonia
  • Chronic urticaria
  • Hypersensitivity syndromes (to touch, sound, odors, food, drugs)

 

In the above mentioned situations, the first step is to verify whether it is a physiological or psychophysical problem. We examine whether the patient’s description of complaints is consistent with medical practice and whether intensifications of symptoms occur in stressful situations. Therefore, in addition to taking a thorough history, questionnaire study, paying attention to all available aspects of the 'here and now’ relationship – second by second during the initial interview — we work closely with physicians /psychiatrists.

Specialization of ISTDP Center

The ISTDP Center specializes in teaching and providing experiential psychotherapy, specifically Attachment Based Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP). It is a modification of ISTDP psychotherapy according to Habib Davanloo, developed by Dr. Josette ten Have-de Labije and Dr. Robert Neborsky. It is now practiced by a wide range of psychiatrists and psychotherapists around the world. We have enriched our knowledge and experience by accompanying Dr. Josette ten Have- de Labije – as students, then assistants and co- leaders – in a series of 3- year basic courses, advanced courses, workshops, seminars and Master Classes around the world, for example: Gdansk, Warsaw, Venice, San Diego, Berlin, Cape Town….

 

We have been committed to standards since our inception. Both our courses and cooperating psychotherapists work according to the standards of the international association IEDTA, detailed information on IEDTA certified psychotherapists
 
IEDTA certified teachers and supervisors
 
IEDTA certified CORE ISTDP core courses
 
IEDTA – is a recognized international non- profit organization dedicated to the support, standardization, certification, dissemination and research of dynamic therapies (EDT).

 

How to prepare for psychotherapy

Complete and submit a short application form. You will be offered dates to chose from for the first session
  • Familiarize yourself with the costs; working with an experienced psychotherapist may in some situations – despite the higher price per session – be shorter and thus more cost effective. However, it may be that longer, lower-intensity work is more beneficial in your case. Intervention meetings with a more experienced psychotherapist at the center are also possible.
  • Plan the cost of therapy, agree with the psychotherapist on the form of billing, report whether you need an invoice or a receipt, and determine payment options. Payment options available at the Center: payment by card, cash, and wire transfer.

The process of psychotherapy

  • The first consultation session takes place with a supervisor, psychotherapist or psychiatrist in order to advise whether this is the right form of work and to establish the rules of cooperation
  • Subsequent sessions take place with a psychotherapist of the patient’s choice at the ISTDP Center or, if there are no places available, at a center cooperating with the Center
  • Usually between the 10th and 12th session a summary of work is made and further direction of cooperation is defined; at this point we should already notice real effects of therapeutic work
  • The duration of psychotherapy depends on the needs and problems of the patient and ranges from 1 to about 120 sessions
  • Ending the therapy process includes several sessions depending on the length of the therapy process, it includes summarizing the work, closing the therapy process and saying goodbye

Prices

Individual psychotherapy 300 – 450 PLN/90 min – price depends on the experience of the psychotherapist, sessions are held every 2 weeks or every week if indicated.
 
Couples psychotherapy – 450/550 PLN/ 90 min
 
Group psychotherapy – 180 PLN/90 min in a group of 6-10 people
 
Meetings for people waiting for therapy – 180 PLN/ 90 min in a group of 3-8 people

Registration form

Psychoterapia