ISTDP in the UK

Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) was developed during the 1960s by Dr Habib Davanloo, a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst from Montreal, who grew frustrated with the length and relatively limited efficacy of psychoanalysis. Dr Davanloo’s empirical discoveries were based on extensive videotaping of psychotherapy sessions. Current ISTDP practice applies his clinical understanding and techniques whilst also incorporating insights from interpersonal neurobiology and affective neurosciences.

In the UK there is a tradition of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy dating back to the brief therapy workshops at the Tavistock Clinic initiated by Michael Balint in the 1950s. Dr David Malan, the renowned psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, became part of that group and his subsequent work has done much to advance the understanding and application of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Dr Davanloo subsequently collaborated with Dr David Malan and he and his wife, an educational psychologist, were instrumental in introducing ISTDP to the UK. In 2006, the Malans convened the first ISTDP conference in Oxford where leading clinicians presented video recordings of their work.

At this conference, a great deal of interest in ISTDP was generated and a Core Training in ISTDP began in London later that year. Teaching was subsequently provided by international ISTDP trainers including Allan Abbass, Patricia Coughlin, Josette ten Have-de Labije, Rob Neborsky and Jon Frederickson.  The members of this first Core Training group founded ISTDP-UK in 2008.

Since then, 16 Core training Groups have been formed and the register of qualified ISTDP therapists in the UK is increasing year by year.

Our Trainers

ISTDP-UK trainers are experienced clinicians who provide psychotherapy, as well as training and supervision. ISTDP-UK trainers and core training programmes are accredited by the International Association of Experiential Dynamic Therapies (www.iedta.net).

Alexandra Knowles

Managing Director

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist

Alexandra Knowles is a Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist registered with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) through the Universities Psychotherapy and…

Dr Robert Neborsky

Course Consultant

Psychiatrist

Robert J. Neborsky, M.D., is a psychiatrist in private practice in Del Mar, California, and a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry…

Dr James Louis

Director

Psychiatrist

Dr James Louis is a Consultant Psychiatrist who has worked in the NHS for more than 20 years and is…

Heather McCartney

Director

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist

Heather McCartney is a highly experienced psychoanalytic psychotherapist who trained originally in the British Jungian tradition (BPC/WMIP). She completed Core…

Leo Russell

Trainer

Clinical Psychologist

Dr Leo Russell (DClinPsych) is a chartered Clinical Psychologist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. He is an…

Dr Seh Rho, Counselling Psychologist, central London

Trainer

Dr Seh Rho is a Counselling Psychologist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. She has worked in the…

Ofra Anker (MA), UKCP Accredited Psychotherapist central London & Hertfordshire

Ofra (MA) is a UKCP registered Psychotherapist and ISTDP Practitioner. She is a UKCP Listed Supervisor. She has over 25 years’ experience working as a psychotherapist with individuals and couples.

In addition to her practice, her work included: nearly 20 years teaching, training and group facilitating in a private Psychotherapy School in North London. She was a member of UKCP Board of Directors for 3 years and a UKCP/HIPC Chair of Assessment Board for almost 10 years. She is currently running a private practice in Central London and once weekly in her home practice in Arkley, Hertfordshire. Her overall practice approach could be summed up as “Tough Love”.

Patsy McGill, Psychotherapist (MSc MBACP), Derbyshire

Patsy is a psychotherapist and Accredited Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.

After completing the three-year Core training in ISTDP (2018), Patsy extended her learning through Advanced training courses. Her interest and commitment to ISTDP then led her to be a shadower to Core Training groups, comprising six further years of close study of the model, whilst supporting trainees in the groups. As well as offering ISTDP therapy, she is also available as an ISTDP supervisor.

She is fascinated to work within the attachment-based ISTDP framework, having seen the positive impact the related interventions can have on current interpersonal, health and psychological difficulties. She offers a warm and compassionate approach whilst identifying unconscious beliefs and processes which contribute to distress, low mood and anxiety. She invites curiosity, precision and rejection of unhelpful and self-sabotaging dynamics while promoting self-compassion, self-care and self-acceptance.

She has worked in a variety of settings, including an IAPT service, Employee Assistance Programmes and is currently in private practice.

Appointments can be face-to-face in Derbyshire, UK, or online.

Our shadowers (Trainers in training)

ISTDP-UK shadowers (or “Trainers in Training”) are senior clinicians who have completed a 3-year core training in ISTDP and are undertaking further training to advance both their therapeutic and training skills.

Clare Cutts, Psychodynamic Counsellor, Bristol

Clare Cutts BEd (Hons) is a fully qualified, experienced, and registered (BPC) Psychodynamic Counsellor and ISTDP practitioner (ISTDP-UK Core 11). As a counsellor, she has had the privilege of working with a range of counselling, charitable, and medical organisations. Alongside her psychotherapy experience and training her work is informed by her life experiences, having been a primary school teacher, artist, and family member. ISTPD is core to the way she works having found it profoundly helpful both in and out of the clinical setting. Clare has a private practice just outside Bristol (in person and online) and welcomes anyone who needs a space and time to focus on themselves and to reclaim a happier life within a thoughtful, caring, honest and confidential environment.

Laura Frost, Clinical Psychologist, Leeds

Dr Laura Frost is a HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist with 10 years of experience working across a range of NHS settings. She completed her ISTDP core training with ISTDP-UK (Core 12) and integrates an intensive, emotion-focused approach into her Leeds based/ remote private practice. Alongside this, Laura works with a clinical trials organisation specialising in psychedelic medicine, contributing to the evolving field of innovative psychological treatments.

Lorraine Haye, Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist, North West England

Dr Lorraine Haye is a HCPC Registered and BPS Accredited Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist. She completed her ISTDP training as part of Core Group 11 and has done further advanced training in ISTDP internationally. Lorraine currently works in private practice in the North West of England working with children and adults with long term physical health conditions, acquired neurological disorders and complex trauma.

Jessica Murray, Psychotherapist, Bristol

Jessica Bsc (Hons) Psych is a BACP registered psychotherapist who completed her ISTDP Core Training with ISTDP-UK. She currently has a private practice in Bristol working with adults and young people and has a particular interest in working with the LGBT+ community. Jessica has worked as a counsellor for schools and charities and came into psychotherapy after many years in nature-based therapy roles. Jessica loves the way that ISTDP provides a detailed framework for deeply effective, trauma-informed therapy with a wide range of patients. Jessica is currently taking new referrals for private practice.

Ebtihaj Serebel, Psychiatrist, Essex

Ebtihaj Serebel is a psychiatrist with over ten years’ experience working in mental health. She is keenly interested in therapy, healing and the universality of human suffering with a particular interest in cultural expressions and nuances. She is currently working at Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust. She completed her ISTDP training as part of Core Group 10.