Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy

Introduction

Brief dynamic interpersonal therapy (DIT) is a time limited, structured therapy which draws on psychodynamic ideas. It aims to help individuals make links between their mood and their relationships.

What is dynamic interpersonal therapy?

In DIT, symptoms of distress are understood in the context of a repeating pattern in relationships that can be linked back to childhood. Your therapist will help you to identify this pattern and understand how it might be impacting on your difficulties in the present.  They will also encourage you to reflect on what you think and feel, with the aim of helping you to find more helpful ways of being in, and coping with important relationships in your life.

 

DIT is commonly used for the treatment of anxiety and depression which are conceptualized from the perspective of relational difficulties. The core principle of this therapy is that when an individual is able to deal with a relationship problem more effectively their psychological symptoms improve.

 

A course of DIT is usually delivered over 16 weekly sessions. 

Day 6

What happens in DIT Therapy?

  • Your therapist will encourage you to reflect on what you think and feel
  • The new understandings developed in the therapy aim to facilitate your ability to deal with relationships more effectively
  • After your first few sessions, your therapist will share their understanding of your difficulties and you will agree on the areas you wish to focus on in therapy
  • Sessions will involve discussing your agreed main area and working on making positive changes
  • When concluding therapy you and your therapist will discuss feelings about the therapy ending and the progress you have made through the treatment

Frequently asked questions

You are likely to be offered DIT if the nature of your difficulties rest in your relationships or if you are suffering from chronic depression.

Following your initial assessment, we will usually offer DIT when we believe that the origin of your symptoms is rooted in your earlier experiences and you are therefore less likely to find relief from traditional CBT techniques.

DIT is a medium term therapy which usually requires at least 20 sessions.

Related Videos

Start your journey

Today

Athena Lazaridou

Athena is a Pilates instructor with 8 years’ experience in the field. After completing a Power Pilates Mat Certification in Athens, she went on to complete the Full Comprehensive Classical Pilates Certification with Equinox in Kensington.  She has been teaching Pilates at Equinox for the past 6 years in addition to her own private clients who she trains both face to face and virtually.

Athena has a passion for helping people get stronger and fitter as well as helping those recovering from injury regain their strength and mobility.  Over the years, she has worked with athletes to incorporate Pilates into their training and improve performance. Athena has also worked with prenatal and postnatal women who may be experiencing depression or other mental health difficulties and used Pilates to facilitate a positive impact on their mental health.

Athena is very passionate about improving physical and mental well-being and has recently incorporated Sound Healing into her work, as she believes it to be one of the best ways of ‘letting go’ and releasing stale energy whilst increasing greater self-awareness.