Experiential Dynamic Therapy (EDT) is a term which refers to a group of psychotherapeutic approaches that share important common elements. They include Habib Davanloo’s Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) and other therapeutic approaches that have been strongly influenced by ISTDP. All of them regard the video-recording of therapeutic sessions as a precious viewing point, enabling to refine techniques.

Other commonalities include:

• being based on psychodynamic principles, as expressed in the “two triangles”
• accelerating the process of change, as compared to purely psychodynamic approaches
• focusing on the physiologic experience of emotions as a major healing factor
• use of the therapeutic relationship as a central force in assessment and treatment
• recognition of the human relationship – attachment – as being central to the causes of psychopathology and to healing
• exploration of all anxiety manifestations and graded regulation of anxiety
• identification and countering of the inner self-sabotaging forces

In the year 2000, Ferruccio Osimo invited Allen Kalpin and others to form an organization to bring together therapists who had been inspired by the work of Habib Davanloo and became known as the International Experiential Dynamic Therapy Association (IEDTA). Since then, the IEDTA has put on regular international conferences that have showcased the work of top EDT clinicians. This year’s conference will carry on this tradition. On the afternoon before the start of the conference, Ferruccio and Allen will present a 4-hour overview of EDT, illustrating the main theoretical points and technical interventions characterizing the different EDT models. The workshop will help to make the conference presentations more understandable and meaningful.

Participants in this workshop will get an interesting and entertaining overview of:

• History of EDT
• Theory of EDT
• Techniques of EDT
• Types of EDT
• EDT Research

There will be plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion.

Presenters

Allen Kalpin, MD practices and teaches ISTDP in Ontario, Canada. He also practices addiction medicine. He is a founder, past president, and current board member of the IEDTA and past president of the (Canadian) General Practice Psychotherapy Association (GPPA). He has published many articles on ISTDP and has taught at EDT and ISTDP conferences and workshops in France, Spain, Italy, Denmark, the United States, and Canada. In his psychotherapy work he includes an overt focus on mindfulness.

Ferruccio Osimo, MD, Psychiatrist, set up the IEDTA foundation conference (Milan, 2001), was a past president of the IEDTA (2001-07) and is the president of the Italian EDT Association (APDE). His approach of Intensive Experiential-Dynamic Psychotherapy (IE-DP), places an emphasis on exploring the real human relationship between patient and therapist, in a way that enhances the healing power of technical intervention. Ferruccio has trained many EDT therapists and supervisors, giving EDT Core Training courses in the UK (2006-15), Israel (ongoing), and Italy (ongoing).

IE-DP is described in various papers and books:

          http://www.ferruccioosimo.com/#!publications/ck2f