Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy
Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) is a gentle yet direct form of therapy that aims to support clients to heal from trauma, loss and other emotional challenges.
AEDP upholds that many of our problems stem from the fact that at key difficult times in our life, we felt horribly alone with our feelings.
AEDP therapy works to undo the aloneness of the past, aiming to transform the way that painful experiences live on within you. AEDP therapists believe that we all have an innate ability to heal and that, regardless of what has happened to us, this ability remains.
AEDP was first developed by Dr Diana Fosha in the USA over 20 years ago and is now used worldwide. Dr Fosha’s unique four-stage model structures the work, guiding the therapist to help the client to recognise their blocks and defences, move past anxiety, and express their emotions all the way through to completion and satisfaction.
What can AEDP help with?
- Overcoming trauma
- Childhood difficulties
- Feeling stuck
- Interpersonal challenges
- Grief and bereavement
- Overwhelming emotions
- Improving mental fortitude
- Depression
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How does AEDP work?
AEDP is experiential, which means there’s may be less ‘talking about’ things, and more attention on what’s happening in the here-and-now moment.
AEDP therapy aims to help you to get clearer on what you are feeling (even if you normally tend to feel puzzled, confused or overwhelmed by your emotions). One of the aims of therapy is to help you express your emotions in healthy, manageable ways that allow you to resolve stuckness and move on.
AEDP is an attachment-based therapy and is strongly relational. To build a sense of emotional safety, your therapist will focus on being genuine and authentic. As part of this, the therapist may sometimes directly share with you how they feel in response to something you are telling them (for example, if they feel moved, touched, etc). In AEDP therapy, both client and therapist sometimes feel very ‘seen’, understood, and deeply connected in the moment.
Training as an AEDP therapist
The AEDP institute has several levels of training, focused around skills and supervision. The training is intended for professional therapists who are already working in the field.
Relevant organisations
Last updated August 27 2024
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