Short-Term Dynamic Interpersonal Psychotherapy (STDIP): Is it right for you?
What is STDIP?
STDIP is a shorter, focused version of the Conversational Model. This approach typically spans 10-25 sessions, depending on the unique needs and goals of each person. STDIP, as a brief and dynamic therapy, aims to help you understand how patterns in your relationships can impact your emotional well-being. Unlike some longer-term therapy models, STDIP utilises a time-limited and goal-oriented framework.
How It Works:
This style of therapy involves identifying a clear focus or goal to work toward within a shorter timeframe.
It is evidence-based and has been shown to be effective for a range of issues, including but not limited to:
Anxiety
Depression
Relationship difficulties
Grief and loss
Mood disorders
Self-esteem challenges
If needed, this work can seamlessly extend into longer-term therapy. This approach is:
Trauma-Informed: Emphasises safety, sensitivity, and respect for your personal history.
Interpersonal and Attachment-Based: Looks at how your relationships, past and present, impact your emotional health and supports you in understanding the deeper dynamics of your connections with others.
Psychodynamic: Bring underlying influences to conscious awareness to reveal and resolve unspoken feelings influencing your present challenges.
The Process of STDIP:
The first few sessions are dedicated to understanding what brings you to therapy and identifying key areas of distress, especially those rooted in past relationships or recurring emotional patterns.
We work to build a therapeutic relationship grounded in trust, which creates a safe space for exploring deeper thoughts and feelings.
Exploring underlying relationship patterns that may be affecting your well-being. For example, if past relationships left you feeling unsupported or criticised, these feelings may influence how you relate to others now.
We’ll identify emotional and interpersonal patterns that contribute to your current concerns. The goal is to understand the connections between past experiences and present difficulties, fostering self-awareness that leads to change towards your goal/s.
Benefits of STDIP:
Greater Self-Awareness: STDIP helps you understand how past experiences shape your current feelings and interactions, promoting deeper self-awareness.
Improved Relationships: By recognising patterns in your relationships, you can develop healthier ways of connecting with others.
Effective Coping Strategies: STDIP offers practical tools to handle distress, improving your emotional resilience.
Focused and Time-Limited: With a range of 10-25 sessions, STIPT offers a structured, focused approach that allows for meaningful progress within a set timeframe.
Is STDIP Right for You?
Whether or not you are new to therapy, STDIP may be a good fit if you’re looking to:
Address specific relationship patterns or emotional difficulties.
Gain insight into past experiences impacting your present.
Work within a shorter, time-limited therapeutic model.
Wanting to try a new approach to change.
If you’re interested in exploring how STDIP could work for you, I encourage you to book a short, no-obligation enquiry call. This call will help us discuss your needs, answer any questions you might have, and decide together if STDIP aligns with your goals.
This is a short-term ‘version’ of the Conversational Model, which is affectionately also referred to as the Heart of Psychotherapy in relation to Robert Hobson’s book entitled Forms of Feeling (a great read if you are interested).
