Foundation Skills in Attachment-Based ISTDP

Introduction to key theory and techniques of Attachment-Based Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) Attachment-Based Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (AB-ISTDP) is an active, accelerated form of dynamic psychotherapy with an excellent evidence base. This approach incorporates insights from neuroscience and attachment theory to offer effective and innovative treatment techniques. The focus of this one day workshop will be on the key techniques used to: • Identify core emotions and deepen emotional experiencing • Understand physiological unconscious anxiety pathways and regulate these where necessary to ensure treatment stays in the zone of safety • Understand how unconscious, maladaptive defences create symptoms and begin to challenge these and offer healthy alternatives. Clinical video will be shown to demonstrate the treatment in action. This event is suitable for registered clinicians working in mental health fields. No previous training in ISTDP is required. This is an in-person, interactive seminar and the number of places is limited so that there is opportunity for questions and discussion. Morning and afternoon coffe and snacks as well as lunch will be provided. Note: there is a possibility for an video-based supervision in group format later in the spring for participants who attend this workshop. Presenters: Dr Sharon Lewis is a chartered clinical psychologist registered with the British Psychological Society and the Health and Care Professions Council in the United Kingdom. She presents nationally and internationally at workshops and conferences on Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy and is a certified teacher/supervisor with the IEDTA. Her approach is based on the attachment-based model of ISTDP developed by Dr Robert Neborsky, MD. Dr Lewis has experience both in private practice and in the NHS and has a particular interest in working with clients with anxiety difficulties and treatment-resistant depression, as well as those diagnosed with physical health conditions and functional neurological disorders. Eila Saarinen is a psychologist and psychotherapist/psychoanalyst (IPA). She has completed an IEDTA certified core training and her approach is based on on the attachment-based model of ISTDP. She has experience both in public and private mental health services. Currently she is also a trainer for Finnish tunnefokusoitu psykoterapia -model which is partly based on the ISTDP appoach. She also offers individual supervision for psychotherapists. Matti Pesola is a psychologist and supervising psychodynamic psychotherapist with IEDTA certified core training in ISTDP. He has worked extensively in both public and private mental health settings. Currently, Matti works as a trainer for the Finnish tunnefokusoitu psykoterapia -model and at Nuorisopsykoterapiasäätiö, an institute providing psychodynamic training focused on adolescent therapy and developmental challenges. He is passionate about experiential learning approaches. He also offers clinical supervision for psychotherapists