The Theory and Techniques of Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Dr. Stacy Bradley, Psychologist

Help loosen the maladaptive defenses that prevent the natural processing of emotions.

Excerpt:

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  • 2h30 of continuing education
  • 23 lessons that last from 5 to 15 minutes each
  • 1 certificate of achievement
  • 1 PowerPoint
  • 1 bibliography
  • 1 course evaluation
  • 4 months access - automatically extended until you complete the course
  • 7-day money back guarantee
  • 98% of participants who completed the satisfaction survey declare they would recommend this course to a colleague

Overview

In the recent years, psychodynamic psychotherapy has demonstrated significant effectiveness in short-term formats. Grounded in attachment theory, interpersonal dynamics, and experiential-affective processes, this approach offers a clear path for identifying and loosening entrenched defenses that interfere with emotional integration and maintain psychological distress.

Led by Dr. Stacy Bradley, an experienced psychologist and clinical trainer, this workshop will guide you in translating core theoretical principles into meaningful clinical interventions, with a particular emphasis on experiential engagement and emotional change.

You will strengthen your capacity to: - Formulate clients’ difficulties using the Core Conflictual Relationship Theme (CCRT) method, which articulates their internalized relational patterns and associated emotional struggles. - Work with defenses as adaptive but outdated systems—understanding their function, cost, and emotional roots—to promote insight and therapeutic movement. - Use the “triangle of conflict” and the therapeutic relationship to access unconscious affect, regulate anxiety, and support experiential transformation. - Facilitate the emergence of new, adaptive relational experiences that shift longstanding intrapsychic and interpersonal patterns.

Clinical examples and case material—including session recordings—will illustrate each stage of the process, from formulation to intervention.

By the end of the workshop, you will be equipped with a clinically grounded framework and a repertoire of dynamic techniques to help clients reduce anxiety, access core emotions, and modify the relational templates that perpetuate their distress.

About the expert

Picture of Stacy Bradley

Dr. Stacy Bradley is a registered psychologist with the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology and received her doctoral degree (Ph.D) in Counselling Psychology from McGill University. Dr. Bradley is currently the Director of Training for the Halifax Clinical Psychology Residency Program. She provides psychotherapy to adults presenting with a wide range of psychological difficulties including anxiety, depression, complex trauma and abuse, PTSD, personality disorders, among others. Dr. Bradley has worked across a number of clinical and academic settings including community-based mental health, outpatient hospital settings, private psychotherapy practices, and university and college settings.

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Learning objectives

  1. Define the core theoretical principles of Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy
  2. Conceptualize patients’ presenting problems from a dynamic framework
  3. Implement in-session dynamic interventions to enhance patient insight into unconscious self-defeating patterns and enhance emotional well-being

Learning material

A theoretical course illustrated with clinical examples. This course is composed of videos of 5 to 15 minutes each. The PowerPoint of the course to download.

Syllabus

  • PowerPoint
  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Outline
  • Dynamic principles and theories

  • 3. Core dynamic principles
  • 4. Transference
  • 5. What is short-term therapy
  • 6. Attachment theory
  • 7. Internal working model
  • 8. Relational theories
  • Treatment framework

  • 9. Goals for treatment
  • 10. Formulation
  • 11. CCRT
  • 12. CCRT Examples
  • Case example

  • 13. Tape review part 1
  • 14. Tape review part 2
  • 15. Tape review part 3
  • Navigating psychological dynamics and defenses

  • 16. Triangle of conflict
  • 17. Unconscious anxiety
  • 18. Defenses
  • 19. How to work with defenses
  • 20. Confront-Challenge
  • 21. Specific defenses
  • 22. Tape review part 4
  • Conclusion

  • 23. Final notes
  • Bibliography


CE Credits

Download a certificate of successful completion.



Audience

This training is intended for mental health professionals.

Your comments

"Very comprehensive - offered depth in terms of theory with clear direction and illustration of how therapeutic principles may be applied."
A psychologist (Canada)

"I thought the course was great. I found Dr. Bradley's imagery quite helpful in understanding core concepts (e.g. not stepping into the shoes, defences as outgrown armour, etc). I will definitely refer back to the notes as I start to do psycho-dynamic work." (automatically translated)
A occupational therapist

"Great, succinct, and well-composed course on short-term psychodynamic therapy. The teacher did an excellent job of explaining core concepts and highlighting the key components."
A counseling (United States)

"The course was very well delivered, and Dr. Bradley translated complex concepts very well. I felt contemplated and inspired." (automatically translated)
A psychotherapist

"I focus on how a client uses language; the actual words used and how they are used. They are our window to the mind. When listening to therapists and teachers I do the same with them. Often therapists don't observe the way they speak and are therefore unaware of unintended messages put out. Intentional speaking especially in clinical encountering is important for me in my work. Thank you for a fine learning experience."
A psychologist (Canada)

Registration

  • 2h30 of continuing education
  • 23 lessons that last from 5 to 15 minutes each
  • 1 certificate of achievement
  • 1 PowerPoint
  • 1 bibliography
  • 1 course evaluation
  • 4 months unlimited access
  • 7-day money back guarantee

Legal notice

The courses offered by ASADIS are accredited by different professional organisations. In addition, ASADIS is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. ASADIS maintains responsibility for the program.

The CPA’s approval of an individual, group, or organization as a CE Sponsor or Provider is restricted to the activities described in the approved application or annual report form. The CPA’s approval does not extend to any other CE activity the Sponsor or Provider might offer. In granting its approval, the CPA assumes no legal or financial obligations to Sponsors, Providers, or to those individuals who might participate in a Sponsor or Provider’s CE activities or programs. Further, responsibility for the content, provision, and delivery of any CE activity approved by the CPA remains that of the CE Sponsor or Provider. The CPA disclaims all legal liability associated with the content, provision, and delivery of the approved CE activity.

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