Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP)
Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) is a highly focused, evidence-based approach designed for individuals seeking profound change. While traditional therapy often focuses primarily on symptom management, ISTDP aims to resolve the underlying emotional conflicts that perpetuate anxiety, depression, somatic symptoms, and relational difficulties.
By identifying habitual defenses, regulating anxiety, accessing core emotional experiences, and facilitating insight, ISTDP helps foster lasting psychological and relational change. Click here to learn more about the theory and research support behind ISTDP.
Dr. Clare Campbell’s training and ongoing clinical consultation in ISTDP allows her to guide clients through this process with precision, empathy, and care. She meets with a group of expert ISTDP therapists on a weekly basis for ongoing clinical consultation. Additionally, Dr. Campbell is currently completing her third year of ISTDP Core Training with Steve Shapiro — a program certified by the International Experiential Dynamic Therapy Association (IEDTA).
Understanding ISTDP
ISTDP is an active, dynamic therapy. Clients learn to recognize how emotions manifest in the body, how defenses can block feelings from awareness, and how these dynamics influence behavior and relationships. The therapy process encourages individuals to safely confront avoided feelings, process them fully, and integrate the resulting insights into their daily life. This allows clients to achieve meaningful psychological change that is often faster and more enduring than traditional approaches.
Clients who may benefit from ISTDP often experience:
Deep-seated anxiety or panic that has persisted despite previous therapy
Chronic depression or low mood resistant to conventional approaches
Difficulty processing strong emotions or coping with relational conflict
Patterns of avoidance, self-criticism, or self-sabotage that interfere with personal or professional life
Sessions are highly individualized, balancing challenge with support to ensure that clients can safely access difficult emotions. ISTDP is experiential and relational, meaning the therapeutic relationship itself is an integral part of the process. Dr. Campbell provides clear guidance and structured interventions that help clients confront emotional barriers and cultivate greater emotional flexibility.
Clients often describe transformative outcomes after engaging in ISTDP: they gain insight into long-standing emotional patterns, experience relief from chronic emotional tension, and develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others. The work requires courage and engagement, but for those ready to commit, ISTDP offers profound and lasting change.
Experience & Credentials
Dr. Campbell earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Syracuse University and completed an APA-accredited internship at the Albany Psychology Internship Consortium. She furthered her training with postdoctoral work in Manhattan, deepening her expertise in intensive psychotherapy.
She is currently engaged in a three-year Core Training in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) and participates in ongoing clinical consultation, reflecting her dedication to growth, depth, and precision in her work.
Professional Engagement
Dr. Campbell maintains active connections with the professional community through memberships in the International Experiential Dynamic Therapy Association, the Connecticut Psychological Association, and the New York State Psychological Association. These connections help her stay current with advances in the field and provide the highest quality care to her clients.
Whether through telehealth or in-person sessions, Dr. Campbell is committed to helping clients navigate their challenges with insight, skill, and compassion—supporting them on the path toward greater emotional well-being and lasting personal growth.
