The STDP Institute

Accelerated Empathic Therapy (AET) continues to be an evolving psychotherapy. It views the avoidance of body sensations, which are the physical experience of emotions, as the cause of many psychological problems, e.g., fears of these sensations lead to anxiety disorders and defenses errected aginst them cause dysfunction and disphoria. AET utilizes “empathic interaction” to both explore the sensations and diminish patient fears.

The stance of the AET psychotherapist is that of a knowledgeable, caring helper who shares his experience in the moment to facilitate the experience of new or feared sensations. These sensations are often somatic or visceral and frequently are linked to pain, anxiety, anger, and love.

In practice, AET is a nine-step process consisting of:

• Inquiry regarding present symptoms and complaints, past symptoms and treatment, and family history.
• Observation of interactive style and defenses as well as response to interventions.
• Education on body sensations and the importance of emotions.
• Evaluation of the capacity to recognize sensations and emotions.
• Enhancement of the experience of sensations and emotions as needed.
• Education on the use of “empathic interactionâ€? and the experience of closeness.
• The experience of “empathic interactionâ€?, sharing, and closeness.
• Education on the experience of sensations associated with the dyads of pleasure/pain, calm/anxiety-fear, happiness/sadness, fullness/emptiness, love/hate, yearning/repulsion, caring/attacking-raging, and joy/suffering.
• Exploration of the experience of the sensory dyads as they relate to self and others.

As the capacity to experience sensations (and associated emotions) increases, defenses (and hence symptoms) decrease.

Once patients learn the value of sensations, they treasure rather than fear them. The benefit that accrues from experiencing them in the moment extends beyond symptom removal. The ensuing sense of compassion and peace leads to joy.

Overview

Course presentations will combine didactic and videotaped case material. Psychodynamics and behavioral theories will be interwoven with practical approaches to managing affect. The value of exploring patient-therapist interactions will be studied.

All training will be in small groups. Psychotherapists who wish to explore this area in the Introductory Courses or further develop their skills in the Advanced courses are invited to apply.

Introductory Course

This course will emphasize the importance of the experience of affect. Theory explaining the connection of affect to symptoms will be discussed and techniques to be used by patients and therapists to gain access to affect will be explored. After learning how to recognize and gain accesss to affect, therapists will learn how to help their patients bear and regulate affect. The following topics will receive special attention:

• The Origin and Function of Defenses
• Defense Analysis
• Empathy
• Empathic Interaction
• Affect Related Sensations
• Experiential Techniques
• Grief
• Fantasy and Psychodrama

Videotaped vignettes will be used to illustrate theory and technique.

Advanced Course

Participants in advanced courses must be practicing psychotherapists. All will be required to bring videotapes of a patient currently in treatment with them at times during the course. The participants will begin by studying patient/therapist interactions and proceed to linking thse interactions to patient symptoms and past history. The techniques presented in the Introductory Courses will be used to help patients understand themselves as well as to tolerate and make use of the affect(s) they had previously feared.

As the avoidance of affect decreases, defensive behavior and symptoms decrease. Improvement leads to mixed feelings in patients about themselves and past events. When patients and therapists explore these mixed feelings and the increasing sense of connection that patients have with their therapists, another series of reactions occur. Exploring these reactions leads to a deeper understanding and satisfaction.

For Futher Information

To discuss these courses, please leave a message at The STDP Institute, (212) 213-6156. Please indicate whether or not you are interested in courses at the New York or New Jersey location.

Supervision arrangements are tailored to the experience and requirements of each therapist and may change over time.

Request a consultation to discuss options and formats available to you. To discuss supervision, please leave a message at The STDP Institute, (212) 213-6156.