This presentation draws on Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) to explore psychophysiological processes behind a wide variety of psychological and somatic symptoms. Many of these processes start early in life, making them difficult for clients to notice, understand, and put into words.
ISTDP is a highly complex, well researched, evidence-based therapy that provides powerful tools to recognise, activate, and work through these hidden emotionally driven processes. We will discuss how by addressing those emotionally and anxiety driven processes, people can reconnect with deeper emotional experiences, which can help resolve troubling symptoms and recover emotional, relational, and practical abilities that had previously felt blocked, inaccessible or even turned against oneself. When such resolution happens, it often leads to meaningful personal growth and flourishing, going well beyond just reducing symptoms.
Grounded in a trauma-informed perspective, this presentation also highlights the impact of early attachment trauma on emotional processing and psychological structure, particularly as expressed through unconscious anxiety and resistance patterns.
By the end of this presentation, participants will be better equipped to:
- Understand unconscious processes underlying treatment resistance
- Recognise therapeutic mechanisms associated with durable, positive change
- Gain insight into moment-to-moment clinical decision-making within the ISTDP framework, adapting interventions to match client resistance or fragility
- Increase awareness and recognition of unconscious communication in clinical practice
- Develop initial skills in assisting clients to overcome internal barriers, helping them access authentic emotional and life processes underlying their symptoms.
About our presenter: Valeria Zoteyeva
Valeria Zoteyeva is a dual-endorsed Clinical and Health Psychologist, and Board Approved Psychology Supervisor, with extensive experience working with complex somatic, trauma linked, and emotionally driven presentations in private practice, public and private hospitals, and not-for-profit organisations both in Australia and overseas.
Her work is grounded in evidence-based practice and focused on the integration of physical and mental health, with a view to helping her clients live the most fulfilling and satisfying lives they can. Certified in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), Valeria has spent the past decade immersed in ongoing training and supervision with internationally recognised experts in ISTDP from the USA, Canada, Europe, and Australia. She applies ISTDP to a wide range of mental health presentations including anxiety, depression (including treatment-resistant cases), intimacy difficulties, and sleep problems, as well as medically unexplained symptoms, chronic fatigue, pain disorders, and affect-driven physical symptoms. She is also driven to help individuals and groups achieve their best - addressing underachievement, self-defeat, and self-sabotage - and supporting optimal functioning and lifestyle management for people with chronic conditions.
In addition to ISTDP, she is trained in a wide range of evidence-based modalities including cognitive behaviour therapy, emotion-focused therapy, schema therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness, and behavioural interventions for chronic health conditions. She is deeply committed to understanding and addressing the underlying causes of mental and physical suffering and stagnation - whether through individual therapeutic work or multidisciplinary collaboration.
Webinar timing: 7:00 – 8:00 PM AEST
Access to the recording of this webinar: A recording of this webinar will be available through the CPD Webinar Library, but for the best experience and the opportunity to ask your questions, join us live. Everyone who registers will be advised via email as soon as the recording is available. Members have unlimited access to the recording, and non-members will have access for 6 months.