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What is ISTDP Therapy? A Brief History
ISTDP (Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy) is a unique, focused therapy that actively helps people overcome the defenses that cause their suffering so that they can face the feelings they avoid and use them to guide their lives.
ISTDP was developed by Habib Davanloo, a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst at McGill University in Montreal.
- Davanloo began his work in the 1960s, focusing on patients who were highly resistant to traditional psychoanalysis.
- He used videotaped sessions of his patients to systematically analyse what kinds of therapist interventions overcame resistance.
- His goal was to create a therapy that reached core unconscious emotional blocks more efficiently than traditional long-term psychoanalysis.
Who Can Benefit from the ISTDP Therapy Services from The Other Therapy?
If emotional struggles keep returning, even after trying other therapies, ISTDP can help you uncover what’s truly driving your distress. The following people can benefit from ISTDP therapy and experience lasting change.
Individuals Struggling with Anxiety and Panic
When worry or physical tension take over daily living, the best ISTDP therapists help release underlying emotional triggers and restore calm and control.
People Facing Attachment Challenges
For those stuck in painful relationship patterns, ISTDP therapy services support emotional connection, healthier communication, and improved trust.
Adults Carrying Trauma or Unresolved Past Pain
If old wounds still shape how you feel and react, ISTDP therapists help you safely process trauma to reduce its grip on your present.
Expats Struggling With an Identity Crisis
Expats often deal with painful emotional problems, such as anxiety, depression, and self-doubt, so ISTDP therapists can help them feel better.
If you see yourself in any of the above experiences, you don’t have to stay stuck in them.
The Other Therapy offers a supportive space to finally address what’s beneath the struggle. With our ISTDP therapist, you can uncover the emotional freedom you deserve.
How is ISTDP Different Than Traditional Therapy Sessions?
Many therapies help you manage symptoms, but the underlying emotional conflicts remain. ISTDP helps clients see how the defenses they unconsciously, but automatically, employ generate the suffering they experience. Because this suffering is self-generated, much of it is unnecessary. Here is how ISTDP services are different:
| Feature | ISTDP | Traditional Talk Therapy |
|---|---|---|
| Therapist Role | Actively challenges emotional barriers | Primarily reflective listening |
| Focus | Root unconscious emotions and defenses | Thoughts, behaviors, and coping |
| Duration | Short-term with focused breakthroughs | Often long-term and gradual |
| Outcome Goals | Lasting change in patterns and symptom relief | Symptom reduction and coping |
| Best For | Complex, recurring emotional struggles | Mild to moderate, situational concerns |
How Can You Benefit from Our ISTDP Therapy Services?
In ISTDP, the therapist and the client work together to bring light to the defenses that cause the painful symptoms that expats unnecessarily suffer from. Explore these points to see how you can benefit from ISTDP therapy.
Relief from Anxiety and Panic
Reduce constant worry and physical tension that disrupts your daily functioning.
Better Emotional Regulation
Calm overwhelming feelings and stay grounded during triggering moments.
Healthier Relationships
Break repetitive patterns and build secure, deeper emotional connections.
More Confidence and Self-Worth
With ISTDP therapy, quiet the inner critic and feel secure in who you are.
Healing from Past Trauma
Process emotional pain safely so the past stops controlling the present.
Increased Energy and Satisfaction
Reconnect with motivation, joy, and a sense of personal direction.
How to Get Started with Our ISTDP Therapy Services?
Choose an ISTDP Therapy Plan
That Supports Your Healing
No matter if you’re looking for a focused first session or ongoing ISTDP services for deep emotional change, our therapists are here to guide you. Explore our therapy options and begin your journey toward lasting relief and meaningful transformation today.
Concierge Subscription
Individuals: $750 / month What’s Included:
- Priority booking
- Up to 4 sessions per month
- Two 15-minute between-session check-ins (valued at $50 each)
Savings: The monthly value is around $800, so you save $50
while gaining premium access and flexibility.
Couples: $1,050 / month
What’s Included:
- Up to 4 couples sessions per month
- Priority booking
- Two 15-minute check-ins (valued at $75 each)
Savings: The monthly value is $1150, so you save $100 with added priority access.
Book Package Now4-Session Package
Individuals: $645 (+ card fees) What’s Included:
- Four 60-minute individual sessions (book ahead).
- Discount: 8% off the regular price, you save $55
- Expiry: Package must be used within 2 months of purchase.
Savings: The monthly value is around $800, so you save $50
while gaining premium access and flexibility.
Couples: : $920 (+ card fees)
What’s Included:
- Four 75-minute couples sessions (priority scheduling available).
- Discount: 8% off the regular price, so you save $80
- Expiry: Package must be used within 2 months of purchase.
8-Session Package
Individuals: $1232 (+ card fees) What’s Included:
- Eight 60-minute individual sessions, recommended for deeper work.
- Discount: 12% off the regular price, so you save $168.
- Expiry: Package must be used within 4 months of purchase.
Savings: The monthly value is around $800, so you save $50
while gaining premium access and flexibility.
Couples: :$1760 (+ card fees)
What’s Included:
- Eight 75-minute couples sessions, good for relationship work.
- Discount: 12% off the regular price, so you save $240.
- Expiry: Package must be used within 4 months of purchase.
Hourly Rates
60-minute Individual Session: $175
75-minute Couples Session: $250
What’s Included:
- One full session, secure confidential teletherapy, and session notes on request.
What ISTDP Therapy Process Do We Follow?
At The Other Therapy, we make sure that every ISTDP experience is structured and aligned with your personal goals. Here’s how we guide you through the process:
Initial Consultation and Assessment
Our ISTDP therapists start with a compassionate conversation to understand your symptoms and emotional blocks. Through this, we also determine whether ISTDP is the right fit for you.
Establishing the Therapeutic Alliance
You and a therapist from The Other Therapy clarify the therapeutic task to recognize how emotions, anxiety, and defenses interact and what you want to achieve.
Monitoring Anxiety and Defenses
As emotions come up, the therapist helps you notice when anxiety or defenses are triggered, and how they block your feelings or healing.
Mobilising Feeling
Moving forward, our ISTDP therapist encourages you to face avoided feelings, and when defenses appear, helps you challenge or turn away from them.
Emotional Breakthrough Work
Through focused, active, and collaborative work, the client can free themselves of their suffering so that they can return, full-heartedly, to the life in front of them.
Why Choose The Other Therapy for ISTDP Counselling?
ISTDP requires skill, precision, and a deep understanding of emotional defense systems. At The Other Therapy, we deliver this evidence-based approach with care and expertise. Here’s what makes us different:
Highly Trained ISTDP Therapist
Trevor Brown, our lead therapist, is a Licensed Professional Counselor with advanced clinical training in ISTDP, PACT Level 2, and RLT Couples Therapy, bringing a focused approach to your emotional healing.
Focused on Rapid Change
Our ISTDP therapy services don’t keep you in long cycles of talking with little progress. We target core emotional issues quickly, so you can feel real relief and personal growth sooner.
Fair and Transparent Pricing
While traditional therapy can cost around $250 per session, we offer flexible and affordable pricing plans for ISTDP therapy. With different pricing structures, we make quality mental health support truly accessible.
Complete Privacy and Confidentiality
In our ISTDP therapy sessions, everything you share stays private, and you’re met with empathy, not judgment. You can open up at your own pace, knowing you’re fully supported and emotionally safe.
How to Book an ISTDP Therapy Session with The Other Therapy?
Starting ISTDP therapy with us is simple and flexible. Choose the option that feels comfortable for you and begin your journey toward emotional clarity and real inner change.
Method 1.
Submit a Contact Form
If it sounds like you would benefit from such an approach to therapy, please click the button below or visit our Contact Page. Our team will reach out to guide you through the next steps.
Method 2.
Schedule an Intake Call Online
If you’re ready to move forward quickly, use our online scheduler to book an intake call directly with our ISTDP therapist at a time that suits your needs.
Method 3.
Book Ongoing Sessions
Already done with your intake? You can easily schedule your follow-up ISTDP sessions through our booking page for deeper emotional work and continuous progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Other Therapy Team
Meet the people behind The Other Therapy
