Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)

Grounded in attachment theory, emotion theory, somatic therapies and interpersonal neuroscience, Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) is a unique psychotherapeutic model that seeks dually to alleviate suffering, and activate positive transformation and flourishing. Together, the AEDP therapist and client work to process to completion overwhelming emotion associated with trauma. This emotional processing, followed by rounds of reflection and integration of the experience of change, serve to entrain the corrective emotional experience and re-organize internalized working attachment models. In this 8-week course, we will explore AEDP’s principles, theory, and clinical interventions. The course will include readings, didactic material, discussion, experiential exercises, and extensive video presentations that illustrate the theory and practice of AEDP. Students will be encouraged to examine this approach in relation to psychoanalytic therapy. Class meetings are held on March 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 May 6, 2024 from 1:00 to 2:50 pm.

Martina Verba, LCSW, DSW is a certified AEDP therapist and supervisor in private practice in Westchester County, NY. She has extensive experience working with patients with eating disorders and has developed a practice that integrates eating disorder treatment and AEDP. For the past 5 years, she has been on the faculty of the Integrative Trauma Treatment Program at the National Institute of Psychotherapies. Prior to finding AEDP, Martina worked as an eating disorder specialist at Kaiser Permanente in Northern California, a staff therapist at Harvard University’s mental health service, an adjunct professor at Simmons College, and the Director of Counseling at a program for at-risk youth in Boston.