Book description
The book opens with an introduction to and history of the experiential
dynamic therapies (EDT) including the groundbreaking Intensive
Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) of Habib Davanloo and its
subsequent development. The centrality of relationship in therapy is
emphasised and the current state of the art and science described.
Material from interviews with David Malan is presented, sharing some of
his experiences, thoughts and insights over decades of clinical
practice, research into and promotion of short-term dynamic therapies.
The essential ingredients of experiential dynamic therapies are
described, and the reader is orientated to the practice of EDT. Key
characteristics of taking care of the real relationship, mirroring,
history taking, and putting into perspective are also presented. In
addition, high technical content, experiential-dynamic interventions,
including defence re-structuring, emotional maieutics, anxiety
regulation, dealing with the Super-ego, connecting corners of the
Triangle of Others, and Self- and Other- Re-structuring are introduced
and discussed. A coding system used throughout the clinical chapters to
clarify the nature, and application, of therapist interventions is
described. The conceptualization of 'character hologram' is explained in
detail, and illustrated with clinical material. Throughout the book,
annotated extracts from real therapy sessions are presented to
illustrate characteristics of EDTs in clinical practice and, wherever
possible, follow-up is presented. The clinical chapters describe the
application of experiential dynamic individual and group approaches
within the UK National Health Service and Counselling Services,
primarily, but also in other Countries having similar public health
services (Holland, Israel and Italy). The relevance of experiential
dynamic approaches in providing case management and supervision, and in
treating the more complex presentations of common mental health problems
is discussed. A research chapter provides an overview of EDT-related
research to date. It is argued that EDTs represent a promising
integration of a number of therapeutic principles, and their place
within current mental health policy in the National Health Service in
the UK is outlined.
