Challenging the role of challenge in intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy for Social Anxiety Disorder: a randomized controlled trial

Comparing the effects of challenge and interpretation in treating patients with social anxiety disorder by intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy; a process and outcome research

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

IRCT

Registry ID

IRCT20181208041890N1

Enrollment

Registered

2019-09-16

Start date

2015-01-21

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2019-10-07

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia). Social Phobias

Interventions

Intervention 1: The standard challenge-based central dynamic sequence of ISTDP including eight phases:Phase 1 (inquiry)

Phase 2 (pressure)

Phase 3 (challenge)

Phase 4 (transference resistance)

Phase 5 (direct access to the unconscious)

Phase 6 (systematic analysis of the transference)

Phase 7 (dynamic exploration into the unconscious)

Phase 8 (consolidation). Standard ISTDP focused on accessing and experiencing the unconscious feelings through clarification, challenge to resistance and head on collision with resistance.

Phase 3 (interpretation/analysis)

Phase 8 (consolidation/analysis). The non-challenge-based ISTDP used clarification, recapitulation, and head on collision but did not use challenge.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to 34 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Social Anxiety Disorder Student of the University of Kurdistan

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: History of Psychosis substance use Being under treatment

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
The Subjects Score in The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale. Timepoint: Before-After Treatment and 6 Months Follow up. Method of measurement: The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale.	—

Countries

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Contacts

Public ContactFateh Rahmani

University of Kurdistan

F.rahmani@uok.ac.ir+98 87336646008

Outcome results

None listed

Source: IRCT (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026