To share your reaction on this item, open the Amazon app from the App Store or Google Play on your phone.

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

eBook features:
  • Highlight, take notes, and search in the book
  • In this edition, page numbers are just like the physical edition
Rent
$26.95

Today through selected date:

Rental price is determined by end date.

eBook features:
  • Highlight, take notes, and search in the book
  • In this edition, page numbers are just like the physical edition
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Follow the authors

Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy: Theory and Technique 1st Edition, Kindle Edition

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 59 ratings

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.

Due to its large file size, this book may take longer to download

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This timely book covers the theoretical underpinnings and clinical application of Davanloo's intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy--an approach which accelerates and condenses the analytic process. Offering step-by-step coverage of both diagnosis and systematic intervention, this manual shows clinicians how to puncture defenses and help clients rapidly achieve deep and lasting character change. Includes detailed case examples.

From the Inside Flap

Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy Traditional psychoanalytic thinking dictates that the only way to help most patients achieve significant insight resulting in lasting change is through a rigorous course of lengthy treatment involving anywhere from two to five sessions a week. Needless to say, the prospect of such a monumental therapeutic undertaking is repugnant to health insurers and clearly beyond the means of the majority of patients. As a consequence, the past two decades have witnessed a rise in popularity of several short-term psychotherapeutic approaches. Most well known among these is the intensive short-term dynamic approach first developed by Habib Davanloo in the late 1960s. A proven technique for accelerating and condensing the analytic process while remaining true to basic psychoanalytic principles, Davanloo’s method has met with nothing less than miraculous results in case after reported case. Yet, until now, there has not been a clearly written, accessible guide devoted to schooling practitioners in the theory and practice of this revolutionary psychotherapeutic method. Patricia Coughlin Della Selva’s Intensive ShortTerm Dynamic Psychotherapy shows therapists how to achieve even the most ambitious therapeutic goals, including character change, in as few as 40 sessions. Not a cookbook, but a systematic guide to intervention, it outlines proven techniques for accessing a patient’s ego-functioning, dismantling defenses, intensifying a patient’s affective involvement in the treatment, identifying the transference patterns as they arise, and "unlocking the unconscious" with a speed and degree of accuracy previously considered impossible. The book opens with a chapter in which the author lays down the theoretical foundations of the method. She supplies a detailed review of the psychoanalytic theory of neurosis, provides operational definitions of dynamic concepts, and defines strategies for observing unconscious processes. The remainder of the book is devoted to clinical practice. Following a format roughly paralleling the psychotherapeutic process, it details the requirements of initial evaluation; describes techniques for working with defenses; explains the role of affect in creating and remediating psychopathology; describes techniques for intensifying affective experience and facilitating its expression; details methods of enhancing and completing the working-through process; and outlines procedures for the successful termination of and follow-up to the course of treatment. A book whose time has come, Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy makes accessible to the psychotherapeutic community at large a treatment model that has been described as "the most important development in psychotherapy since the discovery of the unconscious."

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07CYSJYNN
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Routledge; 1st edition (May 8, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 8, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 121423 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Up to 4 simultaneous devices, per publisher limits
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Not enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • Format ‏ : ‎ Print Replica
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 59 ratings

About the authors

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
59 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers

Customers say

Customers find the book clear and concise. They say it provides a great understanding of ISTDP, with its theoretical and technical aspects explained clearly. The book is interesting and valuable for both clinicians and patients involved in psychotherapy. It has greatly influenced their practice and motivated them to study the technique further.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

9 customers mention "Clarity"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book clear and concise. They say it's a good place to start, easy to understand and implement what they learn. The book weaves together theory and actual verbatim transcripts from sessions with patients. It is unpretentious and without excess complication about psychodynamic therapy.

"...presents the goals, techniques, and "style" of ISTDP with exceptional clarity. Complicated theories are synthesized very well...." Read more

"Patricia Coughlin describes clearly, simply and in organized fashion, one of the most important contributions to therapy since Freud, namely Davanloo..." Read more

"...She is unpretentious and without excess complication about a psychodynamic therapy that is difficult to learn and understand, at first...." Read more

"...Dr. Coughlin weaves together theory and actual verbatim transcripts from sessions she has had with patients that illustrate the concepts and..." Read more

8 customers mention "Knowledge level"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful for helping professionals. It provides a good understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of ISTDP. The author presents the goals, techniques, and style of ISTDP clearly. They say it's essential for anyone wanting to learn ISTDP.

"...The author presents the goals, techniques, and "style" of ISTDP with exceptional clarity. Complicated theories are synthesized very well...." Read more

"...This book takes an intense look at treatment, and response to the treatment for the therapist." Read more

"...It provides a great understanding, theoretical and technical, of all that needs to happen for change to occur in brief psychodynamic psychotherapy..." Read more

"...read during my doctoral and postdoctoral studies this is one of the most helpful in terms of outlining how to really help patients to "get their..." Read more

8 customers mention "Readability"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and valuable. They say it's interesting, masterful, and concise. The content is useful for both beginners and experienced practitioners.

"A very informative book since it shows you how to improve your effectiveness with patients in psychotherapy...." Read more

"...It is one of the best books I've read in the field. I teach it to my students." Read more

"Not an easy read by any means, but very good and useful content." Read more

"...even to those just beginning to learn about ISTDP but masterful enough to be valuable to even the most experienced clinician." Read more

7 customers mention "Influence of therapy"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful for clinicians and patients involved in psychotherapy. They say it explains the process clearly and concisely, making it interesting for both parties. The book has influenced their practice from time of internship to this day. It provides a great understanding of theory and technical aspects of treatment and response to treatment. The case studies highlight the dynamic process in psychotherapy, helping clinicians cut through to core issues.

"...Complicated theories are synthesized very well...." Read more

"...informative book since it shows you how to improve your effectiveness with patients in psychotherapy...." Read more

"...You are left in awe, motivated to study the technique and use it, so that you could help your patients reach mental health effectively...." Read more

"...If you want to learn about a powerful method for therapeutic transformation that will change your personal and professional life, read this book!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2012
    I am a practicing clinical psychologist, and I train clinical psychology students. This book is a very clear and cohesive presentation of ISTDP. The author presents the goals, techniques, and "style" of ISTDP with exceptional clarity. Complicated theories are synthesized very well. Case examples are provided throughout the book and help present an accurate picture of what ISTDP treatment is like. If you are interested in learning about ISTDP, then I highly recommend this book.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2017
    A very informative book since it shows you how to improve your effectiveness with patients in psychotherapy. The psychotherapy treatment intervention has to match the patient's level of functioning by using psychodiagnostic assessment. The assessment is also the treatment that provides data to build on in future sessions with a patient. The treatment must therefore be tailormade for the patient and their level of functioning. A trial therapy encounter during which the patient's ability to converse coherently about themselves and the emotional experience without falling out of treatment is looked at. Then the book proceeds further to clearly define the rest of the psychotherapy process. Lots of examples and case studies highlights this dynamic process in psychotherapy. This book takes an intense look at treatment, and response to the treatment for the therapist.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2016
    Patricia Coughlin describes clearly, simply and in organized fashion, one of the most important contributions to therapy since Freud, namely Davanloo's ISTDP. You are left in awe, motivated to study the technique and use it, so that you could help your patients reach mental health effectively. It is one of the best books I've read in the field. I teach it to my students.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2016
    Not an easy read by any means, but very good and useful content.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2013
    Coughlin's book on ISTDP explains this powerful psychotherapeutic process in a clear and concise way. Her case examples make this a book that is interesting to both clinicians and patients involved in psychotherapy. She is unpretentious and without excess complication about a psychodynamic therapy that is difficult to learn and understand, at first. If you want to learn about a powerful method for therapeutic transformation that will change your personal and professional life, read this book!
    7 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2019
    This book is absolutely essential for anyone interested in learning ISTDP. Dr. Coughlin weaves together theory and actual verbatim transcripts from sessions she has had with patients that illustrate the concepts and techniques she describes. This book is that rare gem in the field: accessible even to those just beginning to learn about ISTDP but masterful enough to be valuable to even the most experienced clinician.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2011
    Item being reviewed
    Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy: Theory and Technique Synopsis
    This book is very interesting. I recommend.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2017
    This book has greatly influence my practice from the time of my internship to this day. It provides a great understanding, theoretical and technical, of all that needs to happen for change to occur in brief psychodynamic psychotherapy that tends to be more and more a reality of our time.

Top reviews from other countries

  • Mary N. Hitchcock
    5.0 out of 5 stars a remarable breakthrough in psychotherapy
    Reviewed in Canada on January 27, 2014
    This form of psychotherapy is a marvel....using anxiety to free oneself of past pain is a remarquable achievement in th edevelopment of psychology strategies .....Wonderful work ....Mary Hitchcock M.A. psy
  • Dr Anthony Theuninck
    5.0 out of 5 stars The most succinct introductory text to ISTDP
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 23, 2014
    Dr Patricia Coughlin's text continues to remain one of the most accessible introductory texts to Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP). Her book helpfully contextualises the ISTDP approach within psychoanalytic literature and proceeds to take the reader through the systematic method originally created by Dr Habib Davanloo. Dr Coughlin brings her own personality and adjustments to the original method that demonstrates the depth of her compassion alongside the precision in her thinking.

    The book offers an overview of the basic theoretical tenets and metapsychology and each chapter builds up the readers understanding as it follows the process of therapy from the first "trial therapy" (to assess suitability) to working with defences, building up the self/ego through restructuring defences, facilitating grief, integrating positive feeling, consolidating character change and attending to the process of ending and follow-up.

    Dr Coughlin illustrates with revealing vignettes how ISTDP offers a powerful integrative method that draws on the breadth of psychodynamic metapsychology, utilising precise cognitive and experiential techniques with a here-and-now focus. The therapy aims to support a person to access their agency and engage their feelings with compassionate understanding for past compromises that are now unhelpful and the end the repetition of harmful patterns. Dr Coughlin's writing carries a depth of feeling that moves. For the novice, this book is likely to be an emotionally transformative experience that also clarifies the specific treatment components required to enable transformation. For the seasoned clinician, the precision of the method and its location in psychodynamics, learning theory and neurophysiology will inspire.

    This remains an introductory text however, and the field of ISTDP continues to develop with different clinicians emphasising and elaborating different aspects of the ISTDP approach. More extensive texts, with greater detail in technique and application include Mastering Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy: Roadmap to the Unconscious by Josette ten Have-de Labije and Robert J. Neborsky as well as Co-Creating Change: Effective Dynamic Therapy Techniques by Jon Frederickson

    For trainees and those seeking a clear accessible succinct overview of the ISTDP approach, this text remains indispensable.
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must have book for seasoned and new therapists alike
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 7, 2019
    This book remains one of my most well read and returned to for many reasons; Patricia not only expertly introduces the reader to the basic tenets of ISTDP, but through the vignettes shows compassion, love, determination and perseverance with her patients in the golden 50 minutes. The vignettes reveal the power of a collaborative and attentive relationship with both therapist and patient having the courage to face difficulties head on for true transformation. I recommend this book wholeheartedly for anyone wanting to find their own voice & style within therapy whilst being anchored and inspired as to what connection can look like in practice.
  • Kamaldip Kahlwan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 11, 2016
    great product as described, great service, fast delivery. would recommend highly A+++
  • Claire R.
    5.0 out of 5 stars easy to read effective treatment
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 17, 2015
    Informative, easy to read effective treatment model

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?