Short-Term Psychodynamic
Core Mechanism
Focused interpretation of core conflict + affective experiencing within the therapeutic relationship
Ontology
Unconscious conflict and maladaptive relational patterns maintained by defenses
Therapeutic Voice
"I notice you smiled just now when talking about something painful. What do you make of that?"
View of the Person
A subject organized around core relational conflicts that repeat outside awareness
Evidence
NICE: recommended for depression
30+ RCTs across variants
Abbass et al. (2014) Cochrane review; Driessen et al. (2015)
Strong evidence. Cochrane review found STPP effective for common mental disorders.
Conditions
Epistemology
Blind Spots
Pressure for speed may bypass clients who need longer relational repair; less suited for severe personality disorganization
Contraindications
Active psychosis, severe dissociative disorders, acute crisis requiring stabilization, clients unable to tolerate emotional activation within a brief frame
Training
Graduate psychodynamic coursework + workshops in specific model
No single certifying body
40-100 hrs workshop + supervised cases
$1K-5K
Philosophical Roots
Freud (condensed); Ricoeur (interpretation as disclosure); Alexander & French (corrective emotional experience)
Related Modalities
Short-Term Psychodynamic in 1 Comparative Clinical Vignette
Each vignette presents the same client through multiple theoretical lenses side by side — showing how Short-Term Psychodynamic formulates presenting problems, sets treatment focus, and sounds in the consulting room compared with other approaches. This comparative pedagogy is unique to Epoché Clinical; no other clinical reference systematically formulates the same case across traditions.
Test Yourself
What is the 'triangle of conflict'?
Show answer
Defense, anxiety, and hidden feeling — defenses manage anxiety about underlying emotions.