ABSTRACT
Habib Davanloo has taken an "uncompromising stance on many issues that are a matter of widespread controversy and confusion. While relying on his understanding of psychoanalytic theory, Davanloo pioneered a new series of techniques aimed at the rapid dismantling of the defensive system in a way that brings the patient's core conflicts to the surface in an unmistakable way. At this time, intensive short-term dynamic therapy (ISTDP) is the only empirically validated treatment for many personality disorders. Davanloo's ability to break down the resistances that left unattended, sabotage treatment efforts seems to be responsible for his success with this population. Davanloo contends that patients suffer from anxiety and guilt about the angry, sadistic feelings and impulses they harbour towards loved ones. The goal of ISTDP is to free patients of their emotional suffering in as rapid a fashion as possible. Allan Abbass has demonstrated remarkable and lasting changes in a highly dysfunctional sample in an average of only 15 sessions.
