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

Dr Stacie Tay

Dr Stacie Tay attained her BSc (Hons) Psychology at the University of Nottingham and worked as a psychologist at the Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, before returning to the UK to complete her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University College London.   

Dr Tay has worked in a variety of settings within the NHS for more than eight years, including primary and secondary care, specialist psychological services and forensic inpatient settings. She currently works as a Clinical Psychologist at the North East London Foundation Trust.  

She has extensive experience working with individuals and groups, providing evidence-based psychological therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Mindfulness-based approaches as well as Schema-informed therapy.   

Dr Tay’s clinical experience involves working with people who present with a range of mild to severe mental health difficulties. This includes depression, anxiety (OCD, social anxiety, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, health anxiety, phobia-related disorders, PTSD), stress related issues, low self-esteem, complex trauma, interpersonal difficulties, grief and bereavement, and long-term health conditions.