Core Training in ISTDP


 

Dr. Robin L. Kay's IEDTA certified
Core Training Program will provide a strong education in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) and Attachment-Based ISTDP in a learning environment that is collegial and encouraging. 


Dr. Kay’s Core Training Program offers clinicians an opportunity to learn the theoretical and technical application of this empirically validated treatment modality—Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy. ISTDP draws upon affect regulation and attachment research to inform interventions that allow safe access to unconscious feelings and memories associated with early life attachment trauma which, if left untreated, is thought to interfere with emotion regulation, mood stability, impulse control skills and the development of successful relationships with self and others.



Location: Los Angeles, CA

Type of Core Training Offered: IEDTA-certified Core Training in ISTDP and Attachment-Based ISTDP (AB-ISTDP)

Other Types of Training Offered: In addition to Core Training, I offer individual and small group supervision in-person and online. I also offer theoretical and clinical seminars, workshops, immersion courses, and conferences on a wide variety of topics in mental health and human behavior. 


Learning Objectives

The Core Training Program is intended to achieve at least two goals:

  • To train psychotherapists to achieve excellence in ISTDP

  • To create a peer network that promotes constructive collaboration between ISTDP and EDT psychotherapists


Core Training Fundamentals will include the following teaching modalities: 

  • Interactive lectures that invite trainee questions, reactions and participation

  • Role-playing, skill building exercises and other active learning techniques

  • Studying video-recorded cases representing increasing levels of complexity

  • Individual supervision, at least some of which will occur in the group setting

  • Analysis of video-recorded cases presented by trainers and trainees 


Program Structure: Lessons and Practical Activities

Theoretical Components

  • Case Formulation and Treatment Planning

  • Understanding and Managing Triangle of Conflict and the Triangle of Persons

  • Building, Bolstering, and Maintaining a Therapeutic Alliance

  • Evaluating Achievements (of Trainees and Patients and goal setting in response to same)

  • Recognizing Feelings, Anxiety, and Defense and associated interventions

  • Theory and Practice of Restructuring Ego Adaptive Capacity

  • Assessing Patient's Regulation of Emotions

  • Uncovering Patient's Impulses, Guilt, Grief, and Access to Past Trauma

  • Working through and promoting Cognitive Affective Integration (post-breakthrough)

  • Termination and Follow-up

Practical Components

  • Review and Analysis of the Certified Supervisor’s video-recorded sessions

  • Review and Supervision of video segments from each trainee’s Psychotherapy Sessions (at least 2 cases for each trainee)

  • Gradual transition from Theoretical Training and Analysis of supervisor video segments to the supervision of trainees’ video material

  • Individual or Group Training throughout the program determined by the needs of the individual and the group

  • Role-playing, Skill Building Exercises, and the Encouragement of Disciplined Practice

  • Audio Recording of non-confidential material will be available to trainees 

 


Format of Training (including Duration and Frequency)

Core training includes didactic presentations on theory and technique, readings, PowerPoint presentations, group supervision, and skill-building exercises. Each member of the group must be willing to show a videotape of their work during each training session. The core group runs for 3 years. Each training group will either meet once a month for 9-10 months, 7-8 hours/day (usually on a Saturday or Sunday), or the training group will meet for 4 training sessions per year (usually weekend modules) for a total of 12 training modules over the course of the three-year program.


Cost:  Contingent upon the type of training.

Contact Dr. Kay for further information at DrRobinKay@gmail.com