Attachment based ISTDP introductory training
Dates
- Saturday 5th April 2025 10am to 4.30pm (in person)
- Friday 16th May 2025 4pm to 7pm
- Friday 13th June 2025 4pm to 7pm
- Friday 19th September 2025 4pm to 7pm
- Friday 17th October 2025 4pm to 7pm
- Saturday 8th November 2025 10am to 4pm (in person)
Locations
- Four online seminars
- Two in-person workshops at WA14; Altrincham, Greater Manchester
Cost
Early bird: £600
General: £700
Limited to 10 participants.
What is Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP)?
ISTDP is a specialist form of evidence-based psychodynamic and attachment-based treatment. It has been widely researched in multiple countries, healthcare settings and with a wide range of populations and presenting problems including anxiety, depression, PTSD, sleep problems, functional/physical difficulties, personality disorders etc. Currently, there are over 200 research studies proving the efficiency of this method, and it has been applied and researched in a variety of NHS settings.
ISTDP training is structured and relies upon trainees’ video recording of their therapy sessions. The training lasts three years and competencies are assessed upon reviewing different videotaped sessions. The training is highly rewarding and helps clinicians improve their therapeutic outcomes; however, it is also demanding both technically and emotionally.
In ISTDP-North, we offer a set of preparatory seminars and workshops for those who are interested in learning more about this model but who are not ready to commit to a full core training program. We also welcome students who have decided to take on a core training program but would benefit from some preparatory work before starting the course.
Who can apply to this course?
We accept applicants who are registered healthcare professionals or who are working under the supervision of a registered healthcare professional (clinical psychologists, psychotherapists, trainee mental health professionals, medical doctors or psychiatrists). If you are unsure as to whether you meet the criteria for applying, please get in touch with the course facilitator at istdpnorth@outlook.com
Course content & structure
- Workshop 1: The initial assessment
- Seminar 1: Application of ISTDP in the NHS
- Seminar 2: Videorecording and role-playing
- Seminar 3: Deciding on ISTDP treatment plan
- Seminar 4: Experiential seminar/practising skills
- Workshop 2: The Central Dynamic Sequence (CDS)
Course objectives
- Understanding the basic theoretical underpinnings of ISTDP
- ISTDP Assessment and Formulation
- Application of ISTDP in NHS and organizations
- The evidence-based research of ISTDP
- Basic principles of ISTDP technique
Course additional resources
- Sharing documents of video recording confidentiality and informed consent policy and processes.
- Access to published research studies on the efficacy of the model.
- Support/consultancy in helping students gain support from their employers towards funding full core training.
Trainer
Dr Javier Malda Castillo is the director of ISTDP-North. He is a Clinical Psychologist and works part-time as the lead of a tertiary psychotherapy and personality disorder department in the NHS. He gained accreditation as an Intensive-Short Term Dynamic (ISTDP) therapist by the Experiential Dynamic Therapy Association (IEDTA) in 2020.
He is also a Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT) therapist, supervisor and trainer accredited by the Anna Freud Centre. Prior to this, he completed two years of postgraduate training in group psychodynamic therapy with the Institute of Group Analysis (IGA) and four years training in individual psychodynamic psychotherapy with the Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust. He is specially devoted to the training and practice of attachment-based ISTDP therapy and has been training and learning from Josette ten Have-de Labije for the past four years in Berlin.
For more information
For more information, please visit ISTP North or email istdpnorth@outlook.com