Dr V. Lakmi Seneviratne is a RANZCP Fellow and Consultant Psychiatrist at the Gold Coast Mental Health & Specialist Service. Dr Seneviratne received the 2024 RANZCP Psychotherapy Research Award for a Pilot feasibility study on intensive short term dynamic psychotherapy for out-patients with treatment resistant depression.

About the project

The study aims to assess the feasibility of carrying out intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy (ISTDP) for community patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

ISTDP is an evidence-based, emotion-focused psychotherapy which addresses the driving forces behind the symptoms of depression. The feasibility of implementing ISTDP will be assessed through recruitment, retention, and acceptability of the intervention.

Prospective participants will be referred by the mood disorder clinic and community mental health teams. Ten eligible participants will be enrolled in this study with their informed consent. They will be allocated to a senior psychotherapist and will undergo an initial trial therapy session to assess suitability for ISTDP. Following this, they will receive 20 sessions of weekly psychotherapy.

Improvement in depression, quality of life and interpersonal relationships will also be assessed. This study hopes to pave the way for implementing ISTDP as a viable treatment option for TRD and for future research.

Award

The RANZCP’s Faculty of Psychotherapy established the RANZCP Psychotherapy Research Award, to encourage research in psychotherapy amongst psychiatry trainees and Fellows in Australia and New Zealand.

Value

Up to A$10,000.

Key dates

Opens 1 September 2024 and closes 31 October 2024.

Find out more Psychotherapy Research Award