What is davanloo?

Dr. Habib Davanloo (1925-2016) was a Canadian-Iranian psychiatrist who developed the Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), a form of psychotherapy that aims to treat patients with severe anxiety, depression, and personality disorders through intensive and highly focused therapy sessions.

Davanloo's approach emphasizes the importance of identifying and addressing the unconscious conflicts and repressed emotions that are at the root of many mental health problems. His therapy model involves challenging patients to confront and process painful emotions through intense and emotionally charged interactions, often using techniques such as role-playing, confrontation, and catharsis.

Davanloo's work has been widely recognized and used in clinical practice, and his contributions to the field of psychotherapy have been especially salient in the treatment of complex cases, including patients who have not responded well to other therapeutic approaches.

In addition to his contributions to the field of psychotherapy, Davanloo was a tireless advocate for global mental health, and he played an instrumental role in the establishment of the International Experiential Dynamic Therapy Association (IEDTA). He also served as a professor at McGill University in Montreal and published numerous articles and books during his career.