The IEDTA does not offer training programs, but certifies independent training programs, trainers, and supervisors who attest to having met general criteria established by the IEDTA Education Committee. The general criteria for IEDTA certification of independent training programs are listed below. These criteria are meant to ensure that all IEDTA-certified training programs are organized in a way that provides an adequate environment for teaching and learning an EDT. IEDTA certification is not meant to, nor can it ensure the quality of the teaching of any of the IEDTA-certified training programs. Similarly, it cannot ensure the clinical expertise of any trainee, teacher, or supervisor.  For more information about the IEDTA’s certification process and its limitations, please see the IEDTA Certification page.

Core Training Objectives

• To provide a thorough education in Experiential Dynamic Therapy
• To train psychotherapists to achieve excellence in their ability to assess and apply EDT with a diverse population of patients
• To give trainees the most up to date information of EDT theory, clinical applications, and research
• To welcome trainees into a peer network that values dialogue and collaboration amongst the EDTs
• To cultivate a collegial, professional and encouraging learning environment that is respectful and positive-minded for all trainees

Core training education is divided between didactics and supervision of trainees’ cases. Didactics include a balanced mixture of theoretical and practical teaching, frequently interweaving theory and practice.

The core training fundamentals include:

• Analyzing video-recorded cases presented by both teachers and trainees
• Role-playing and other active learning techniques
• Studying video-recorded cases representing increasing levels of complexity
• Individual supervision, at least some of which must occur in the group setting
• Interactive lectures

Lessons and Practical Activities Structure

Theoretical Program

1. The history of EDT and overview of the current models
2. The Triangle of Conflict and the Triangle of Person
3. How to cultivate a therapeutic alliance
4. Recognizing feeling, and associated interventions
5. Recognizing anxiety, and associated interventions
6. Recognizing defense, and associated interventions
7. “Working through”: therapy after the initial breakthroughs
8. Termination and follow-up
9. EDT research
10. Case formulation and treatment planning

Practical Program

1. Review and analysis of the IEDTA-certified supervisor’s video-recorded sessions
2. Review and supervision of video segments from each trainee’s psychotherapy sessions (at least 2 cases for each trainee)
3. Gradual transition from theoretical training and analysis of supervisor video segments to supervision of trainees’ video material
4. Individual or group training
5. Role-playing and other techniques of active learning
6. Audio recordings of didactic activities should be available to all trainees to maximize learning
7. Audio recording of supervision should be available to the supervisee

Optional

The IEDTA-certified supervisors are encouraged to implement, when possible, the following supports:

1. Tutoring: during the first two years of core training, each trainee is provided with a certain number of hours to spend with a tutor (8 hours recommended per year). Tutors are either therapist sufficiently experienced in EDT so to guide trainees in all theoretical subjects or therapists who have completed their training (or are finishing their last year of core training) and have demonstrated a deep knowledge of EDT. In addition to face-to-face tutorials, online consultations are acceptable when tutor and tutee live at a significant distance.
2. Inter-vision (peer consultation) among trainees: this is highly recommended, because it develops independent thinking and creativity in the trainee, as well as opportunities for lively exchanges of ideas and perspectives.
3. Study groups
4. Final examination: we suggest that at the end of core training all participants pass a final examination that includes a video-recorded presentation of a clinical case successfully completed and aligned with the core. The recorded material should demonstrate sufficient capacity to apply EDT fundamental techniques. The assessment should be provided and approved by an IEDTA-Certified supervisor.
5. Attendance an IEDTA international conference every 4 years is recommended. The IEDTA will offer group discounts for training groups.
6. Ongoing monitoring of cases: we encourage students in core training to use evaluation instruments with their patients in order to monitor the effectiveness of their therapy and training. The IEDTA will provide recommendations for a standard basic set of instruments, which will have a number of benefits including the production of a significant amount of data which could further EDT research.

Criteria

The program must last at least 3 years and can be structured in various ways. To be an IEDTA-Certified Core Training:

1. The training program must include a minimum of 3 meetings per year for 3 years.
2. All trainees must be licensed/registered or in a recognized degree program that leads to licensure/registration.
3. Each student must receive at least 80 hours of teaching (other than supervision) and 15 hours of group or individual supervision of her or his own cases within a 3-year period.
4. At least 50% of the didactic portion of the training must be provided by an IEDTA-certified teacher.
5. 75% of the group supervision must be provided by an IEDTA-certified supervisor.
6. At least 50 % of the individual supervision must be provided by an IEDTA-certified supervisor.
7. The minimal number of students to start a core training group is 4. The maximum number of students in a core training group is 15.
8. IEDTA-Certified Core Training Programs may structure the delivery of the    required hours of training and supervision as they choose.
9. Training programs may apply to the Education Committee to make exceptions to the rules, which will be done on a case-by-case basis.

If you have questions or comments, please contact the IEDTA Education Committee.