Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy with a Person-Centered Emphasis: Habib Davanloo Meets Carl Rogers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70839/g1418238Keywords:
Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy, Person-Centered Approach, Habib Davanloo, Carl Rogers, the conscious therapeutic alliance, the real relationship, therapist resistance, Experiential Dynamic Therapies, humanism, integrative psychotherapyAbstract
This paper explores the potential integration of the person-centered approach (PCA), developed by Carl Rogers, with Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), developed by Habib Davanloo. Despite the differences between the PCA’s non-directive stance and ISTDP’s directive and often confrontational techniques, ISTDP is arguably most effective when it incorporates the relational components central to the PCA as well as the common factors. These factors—including empathy, congruence, and curiosity—are vital for fostering a conscious therapeutic alliance which, in turn, is essential for deep emotional closeness between therapist and patient. The authors argue that ISTDP can be practiced in a manner congruent with the core principles of the PCA, such as respect for patient autonomy and authentic connection, and which ultimately may enhance the efficacy of ISTDP interventions. However, achieving this integration presents challenges, as the emotional intensity and complexity of ISTDP may provoke anxiety in therapists, potentially leading them to employ techniques defensively, thereby compromising the person-centered qualities of the therapeutic relationship and undermining the emotional closeness that is central to ISTDP. Ways that these challenges may be mitigated are discussed, including the balance between specific and common factors, a focus on the real relationship, and reflections on Davanloo’s admiration for his patients and the role of intuition in his work.
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