DIT is a structured, 1-1 talking therapy that is used to treat depression in the context of relationships. It recognises that difficult experiences in the past can continue to affect the way we feel and behave in the present. This can cause problems in relationships, which in turn can be linked to depression.
DIT explores how these patterns of relating developed while growing up and how they are affecting our interactions in the present. By taking time to understand these developments earlier in life and changing the unhelpful emotions and actions that resulted, DIT empowers patients to deal with current and future relationships in more positive and useful ways. This reduces stress and improves emotional health.
Psychodynamic therapy recognises that when something is very painful, we can bottle it up and try to push it to the back of our minds. Usually, we know when we are doing this but sometimes, we can ignore something so well for so long, and bury it so deeply that it can become hidden from us. This is why difficult experiences in the past can continue to affect the way we feel and behave in our day-to-day lives. How we think and respond to others becomes second nature; something we don’t often question. DIT offers an opportunity to talk about those day-to-day feelings and behaviours and to understand what might have contributed to becoming depressed.
A key focus for a DIT therapist is to help patients explore, and draw their attention to, a pattern in their relationships. This pattern, influenced by past experiences, becomes the focus of therapy. Recognising when, why and how the pattern is activated helps us to understand ourselves better and change the way we respond, stepping outside of the pattern.
Your therapist should be able to help you feel respected and comfortable so that you can talk freely about yourself and your relationships. They will aim to build a trusting relationship with you so that you feel supported in talking about things which might upset or embarrass you. Part of building this relationship is recognising that the pattern might reveal itself during therapy between you and your therapist, so your therapist will be interested to hear how you experience them and help you to understand any worries you have during therapy.
Starting therapy and talking openly about yourself can feel difficult, your therapist will explain how DIT works and help you think about how the approach could make sense to the issues you are experiencing. Typically, what you would want out of therapy will align with working on a recurrent pattern in your relationships.
DIT is a structured therapy and so your therapist will ensure that your sessions take place at a reoccurring time each week, in a setting where you can be certain of confidentiality. Any breaks in the therapy will be planned and wherever possible your therapist will seek to let you know if they need to be away or change the time of an appointment. Sometimes, managing breaks from therapy can feel difficult and your therapist would invite you to discuss this with them so they can help you understand what might be feeling particularly difficult.
With this in mind, many patients find the ending of therapy difficult, as the relationship that can develop between you and your therapist can become quite important and it can feel like a big loss when this comes to a close. Your therapist will know and understand this, and you can expect that they will want to help you explore your feelings and concerns during this part of therapy. They will help you to think about the worries you might have and how you will manage if things become difficult again. After all, the aim of DIT isn’t to remove problems – everyone has problems they need to deal with. The hope is that you will have learned how to manage better and avoid problems becoming major difficulties again.
