resolving Unconscious barriers
Our services
Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP)
ISTDP is a highly effective, therapeutic approach developed by Dr Habib Davanloo of McGill University in Canada. It is an accelerated form of psychodynamic therapy which aims to help individuals identify and resolve unconscious barriers to emotional expression and interpersonal intimacy, so that authenticity and closeness can become possible.
ISTDP is grounded in psychodynamic theory and theories of human attachment and operates from the perspective that healthy feelings can be repressed during our early development as a result of difficulties in our formative relationships.
Specifically, children learn to avoid feelings which their caretakers are not able to tolerate, by developing psychological, emotional and interpersonal coping mechanisms. These coping mechanisms are adaptive during our early years, because they allow us to stay close to those we depend on. However they later become barriers or defences against the authentic expression of our core emotions and wishes. Some common defence mechanisms include ignoring or dismissing emotions, rationalising, self-criticism or self- doubt, self-sabotaging behaviours, and emotional detachment or numbness. By preventing us from fully and genuinely experiencing our emotions, these automatic defences interfere with our capacity to form close, healthy and intimate relationships with others and to live in a way which is authentic and fulfilling.
ISTDP therapists seek to help individuals address the roots of their emotional and interpersonal problems, by helping them overcome unhelpful defence mechanisms and encouraging them to feel their emotions deeply, in order to reconnect to themselves and to others. ISTDP is a collaborative approach where therapist and client work together to identify defence mechanisms, regulate and manage anxiety and face emotions which have previously been avoided.
Research into the effectiveness of ISTDP shows this approach to be consistent with the latest neuroscientific studies about neuroplasticity i.e. the adult brain’s ability to change.
For more information on ISTDP visit:
Can I benefit?
Mirna provides assessment and treatment for adults and adolescents experiencing a range of mental health concerns including:
Emotional difficulties such as depression, anger management difficulties or unresolved grief
Anxiety disorders including generalised anxiety, OCD and panic attacks
Difficulties with relationships, personal or professional , including recurring conflict or a lack of meaningful connection, intimacy or closeness
Self-sabotaging or self-harming behaviours or patterns, including those related to addiction
Eating disorders (including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and general difficulties with
over-eating or binge-eating);Traumatic experiences and emotional impacts of trauma, including PTSD
Issues with self esteem, confidence issues and difficulties with identity