AB-ISTDP Techniques for Working with Somatic Symptoms

A number of patients experience bodily symptoms for which no clear physical cause can be identified. Symptoms range from chronic pain to pseudo-seizures and include various neurological symptoms such as dizziness or weakness. These difficulties may be referred to as psycho-physiologic, ‘medically unexplained’ symptoms or functional neurological disorders.

There is strong evidence to indicate that for some people these difficulties are caused by emotional dysregulation and traumatic experiences, but without effective strategies to diagnose and treat emotional factors, these patients are at risk of ineffective interventions as well as unnecessary invasive procedures and medications.

Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), an emotion-focused, accelerated form of dynamic psychotherapy has been shown to be an effective form of treatment for emotionally driven somatic symptoms. ISTDP focuses on the unconscious emotional processes that underlie many physical and somatic difficulties such as chronic pain, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal issues, headache, muscle weakness and other mind body problems. This is an active approach consisting of a targeted set of techniques. ISTDP has a robust evidence base and research indicates that positive outcomes are long lasting and that patients continue to improve after termination.

The 1-day workshop provides an overview of techniques used to diagnose and treat emotional factors in somatic symptom disorders, with clinical video presentation to demonstrate the treatment in action.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the theoretical framework of ISTDP as it applies to somatic symptom disorders

• Identify specific interview techniques to diagnose emotional factors underlying physical symptoms

• Understand the different neuro-physiological unconscious anxiety pathways that impact on physical symptoms

This seminar is suitable for registered clinicians working in mental health or allied fields. No previous training in ISTDP is required.

This is an in-person, interactive seminar and the number of places is limited so that there is opportunity for questions and discussion.

Fees: Lunch is included in the fee. Morning and afternoon coffe and snacks will also be provided.

Presenter:

Dr Lewis is a chartered clinical psychologist registered with the British Psychological Society and the Health and Care Professions Council in the United Kingdom. She presents nationally and internationally at workshops and conferences on Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy and is a certified teacher/supervisor with the IEDTA. Her approach is focused on the attachment-based model of ISTDP developed by Dr Robert Neborsky, MD.

Dr Lewis has experience both in private practice and in the NHS and has a particular interest in working with clients with anxiety difficulties and treatment-resistant depression, as well as those diagnosed with physical health conditions and functional neurological disorders.

Host or Publisher ISTDP London