ISTDP-informed psychotherapy, integrating CBT, EMDR, DIT and Psychodynamic approaches when clinically indicated

Different approaches help different people, but what matters most is how the work is done. My style is active and collaborative. We pay attention to what happens in real time, mind, body, and relationship, so insight becomes lived change. 

I work with adults in Central London (W1W) and online, and I specialise in anxiety/low mood, burnout/high-pressure functioning, relationship and attachment patterns, and stress that shows up physically (persistent physical symptoms / PPS). 

The core framework: ISTDP-informed (how I primarily work)

Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) is the primary framework I use. It is an active, experiential way of working with emotion and anxiety in the room. We track moment-to-moment shifts in feeling, bodily tension and unhealthy internal mechanisms, so patterns can be understood and changed as they happen. 

In practice, that means we:

• identify the cycle maintaining your difficulties (attention, anxiety, avoidance/reassurance, relationship patterns)
• build emotional capacity (feeling without flooding or shutting down)
• reduce the internal mechanism(s) that keep you stuck (such as overthinking, overcontrol, withdrawal, people-pleasing)
• translate insight into change that holds in daily life

ISTDP is especially helpful when:

• anxiety is linked to emotional overcontrol or shutdown
• relationship patterns repeat despite insight
• stress shows up in the body (PPS)
• you feel “high-functioning” externally but overwhelmed internally

Where CBT fits (targeted work on thoughts, behaviours and cycles)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is useful when specific thoughts and behaviours are keeping a cycle going in the present. 
In my practice, CBT is most often integrated to help with:

• avoidance and safety behaviours (e.g., panic/agoraphobia patterns)
• compulsions and checking loops (e.g., OCD-type patterns)
• structured experiments to reduce fear of sensations and uncertainty

CBT becomes most effective when it’s linked to your broader pattern, not used as a generic set of techniques.

Where EMDR fits (when distressing memories are central)

EMDR is designed to process distressing memories and is strongly associated with trauma and PTSD and can also help when specific memories are central to current symptoms. 
In my practice, EMDR is integrated when:

• traumatic memories continue to drive anxiety, hypervigilance or avoidance
• panic, phobias or grief are clearly linked to specific events 

Where DIT fits (structured relational focus for anxiety/depression patterns)

Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT) is a structured, short-term approach that focuses on anxiety/depression symptoms and how they link to relationship patterns in the present. 
DIT is particularly helpful when:

• symptoms are tied to a repeatable interpersonal theme
• you want a contained, focused therapy with a clear relational formulation

Where Psychodynamic therapy fits (depth work on patterns, meaning and relationships)

Psychodynamic therapy helps make sense of how early experiences shape present emotions, relationships and inner pressure, especially where emotions are managed through overcontrol or shutdown and where repeating relationship patterns maintain chronic pressure. 
It can be useful when:

• difficulties feel longstanding or “part of who I am”
• relationships repeatedly trigger the same reactions
• you want deeper understanding that also leads to practical change

How I decide what we use (one plan, not competing methods)

You won’t be asked to choose a model from a menu. In early sessions we:

• clarify what you’re struggling with
• map the maintaining cycle
• agree a working focus and the best tools to shift it

ISTDP provides the organising framework; CBT, EMDR, DIT and psychodynamic work are integrated when they best serve your goals.

What to expect

• First phase: assessment + formulation (your cycle, triggers and maintaining patterns)
• Middle phase: active work in-session + practising new responses
• Review: progress is checked so therapy stays focused and meaningful 

Next step

If you’ve reached the limit of coping alone, or insight helps you understand but not change, you’re welcome to get in touch to arrange an initial consultation.

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