Exploring Agency, Emotions, and Internal Complexity

In this episode of “Voices with Vervaeke,” John Vervaeke, alongside Terri Dentry and Aspasia Karageorge, delves into the complex interplay between emotions, chronic pain, and the mechanisms of healing within the framework of Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP). Through a rich dialogue, the discussion unfolds to explore the intricate ways in which pain serves not only as a physical experience but as a profound emotional and psychological defense mechanism, obscuring underlying emotional disturbances and traumas. The conversation navigates through the socialization of pain, the pivotal role of emotional awareness in healing, and the transformative potential of ISTDP in restoring agency and empowerment to individuals. By bridging emotional and physical healing, this episode illuminates the holistic approach necessary for comprehensive therapy, emphasizing the integration of diverse therapeutic practices. The engaging discourse provides compelling insights into therapy's transformative power, underscoring the importance of understanding and integrating our emotional landscapes.

Bios and Links:

Terri Dentry is a distinguished PhD graduate in interprofessional practice, dedicated to bridging the gap between traditional medical practices and holistic wellness approaches. With a keen focus on patient empowerment and integrated health solutions, Terri advocates for a healthcare model that values dialogical reasoning and personal journey understanding, aiming to transform patient care into a collaborative, multidimensional experience. If you’d like to reach out to Terri to share your own personal story or thoughts, please feel free to email her at terri@thinkred.com.au.

Aspasia Karageorge, Psy.D., is a registered clinical psychologist with a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology and Master of Science from the University of Sydney, as well as a Master's degree in forensic psychology from the University of Otago in New Zealand. Discover more about Aspasia through her website, and stay updated on her work by following her on YouTube and on Instagram.

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Resources:

The Vervaeke Foundation

Awaken to Meaning

VOICECRAFT

Quotes: 

"ISTDP stands for Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy, a therapy developed by Dr. Davanloo in the 60s. Essentially, it views chronic pain as a defense against emotional experience." - Aspasia Karageorge [00:06:00]

"Socialization of pain and how our narrative bias is driving a lot of this... the narrative bias coming from the early childhood experiences, and that providing the bias to what we are thinking, giving us a filter of how we are then relating to these things as we go forward in life." - Terri Dentry [00:38:04]

“Modeling goes deeper in the brain than propositions.” - John Vervaeke [00:59:20]

Glossary of Terms:

ISTDP: Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy, a form of therapy focusing on emotional experience.

Chapters: 

00:00:00 - Introduction: Unpacking Emotions, Chronic Pain, and Rationality in Therapy

00:10:00 - Exploring the Socialization of Pain and Emotion's Role 

00:15:00 - ISTDP and the Emotional Landscape: Understanding Pain as Emotional Distraction

00:24:20 - Restoring Agency and Emotional Insight: Pathways to Healing in Psychotherapy

00:43:00 - Integrating Therapies: Towards a Holistic Approach to Emotional and Physical Healing

01:07:20 - Conclusion: Embracing Complexity: Transformative Insights from ISTDP Therapy