There are many considerations and often there is not a right or wrong, research often shows that the therapeutic relationship is most important. Often determines the extent to which your therapist is proficient in the form of therapy that is offered rather the result than any form of therapy. A good cognitive behavioural therapist (CGT) can also free emotions and bring about effect in this area, even though in practice cgt is sometimes not 'catching'. Sometimes it doesn't look enough and sometimes booster sessions are needed, or scales up to, for example, schema therapy (SFT). Both theories can change emotionally, although CGT may have the pitfall that it remains a cognitive therapy. It gives other ideas that can change the non-helping or negative thoughts. Some of the thoughts that come up because of conflicting emotions that give fear are not always remedied with it. In that case, only symptoms are 'thought away', which only gives a temporary effect but does not eliminate the underlying cause. Schematherapy (SFT) is often indicated as a 2nd step, which is also nice because it is considered suitable for almost all complaints. In addition, it is cost-effective to work following this so-called 'stepped care'.
A Schema therapist could have a discussion with an ISTDP therapist about the number and depth of emotions that can (usually) be achieved and thus liberated, which presumably assumes a therapeutic effect.
Psychoanalytic psychotherapy can also have these effects, and can also apply structure. The disadvantage is that it takes a long time, often requires a lot of sessions per week and is therefore expensive. Moreover, there seems to be a risk that the client will continue to 'swim' in his own defence (and therefore fears), or even strengthen these defences (such as learning to rationalize). This may mean that deeper, difficult, negative and painful emotions are therefore not always (completely) freed up. Sometimes we see clients at ISTDP who have not advanced much after years of analysis, except that they can make a complicated cognitive analysis of what would be going on internally. At the emotional level, little has changed.
ISTDP has already been compared to 'standard treatment', sometimes appearing to be up to 10x more effective. In the future, ISTDP will also be compared to other theories, such as schema therapy. One of the most impressive effects seen with ISTDP is in case of unexplained physical complaints, i.e. SOLK complaints (somaticunexplained physical complaints). We also often see that antidepressants can be phased out, which does not always happen in other theories.
So look (together) what therapy you have already had, and whether you recognize some of these pitfalls that prevented you from moving forward. The same therapy may still be the case with another practitioner. Also look at the waiting list and the travel time. If in doubt, you can inquire about ISTDP or AFT, and request a trial treatment to be able to compare. ISTDP and AFT treatments can bring about a strong and lasting effect in a short period of time. Na. This is not to say that this is not as good as possible in other theories, or that they will not be sufficient. The considerations above are based on their own experience, and opinions of experts and colleagues who practice and compare multiple forms of therapy in practice. Remember: even if treatment has not been shown to work more effectively, it does not mean that this effect does not exist. The effects of psychotherapy are sometimes difficult to measure and therefore difficult to investigate, therefore feel mainly whether a (test) treatment sets something in motion, and whether these effects persist or not.
Finally: never bet on one horse. Ask of multiple treatments and practitioners (trial) conversations and information. Especially considering the often long waiting lists for CGT and Schedule Therapy in the regular MENTAL Health System, after you have already been on a long waiting list for intake
.Nb. if you are on a waiting list, do not doubt the indication set. That is often very much thought about. If you are on a long waiting list, you can always consult with your practitioner if you feel that you would like to try ISTDP.