Q & A with Berni Fried – What Is Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)?

Accelerated experiential-dynamic psychotherapy (AEDP) is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on healing-oriented techniques and aims to achieve a transformation in client behavior by exploring the in-depth processing of difficult emotional and relational experiences. This innovative method was developed by Dr. Diana Fosha and has roots in several disciplines, mainly attachment theory, affective neuroscience, and body-focused approaches. According to therapist and public speaker Berni Fried, Accelerated Experiential-Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) has produced numerous benefits for many clients. Berni Fried says that by focusing on behavioral transformation, AEDP helps clients to address and overcome painful traumas from their past.

Q: Who is credited with developing AEDP? 

Berni Fried: Dr. Diana Fosha established this method after studying a number of modalities. Her training was psychoanalytic, psychodynamic and also developmental. Dr. Fosha started questioning the length of traditional psychoanalysis and its relatively cavalier attitude towards effectiveness and results. Dr. Foscha discovered short-term dynamic psychotherapy in the work of David Malan and others, She was inspired with a new way of working unlike Psychoanalysis which tends to be long term treatment and based on psychopathology and diagnosis. Dr. Fosha recognized the need to empower the client and work from a more attachment based model. She than developed the AEDP model of treatment.

Berni Fried Discusses the Concept of ‘Birthdays’ in the Recovery Community

Many people believe alcoholism or drug addiction is a permanent character flaw, says therapist Berni Fried. In recovery herself, Fried has learned a number of powerful lessons about how to transform her way of thinking and make room for a new way of seeing the world. Many addicts are fear based and driven by pain and self loathing. In the 12 step meetings, there is tremendous support and reassurance. The ability to feel like you are “not alone” helps to reduce the sense of shame and disconnection. When addicts celebrate 365 days of continuous sobriety it is marked by taking a “cake”. This is a birthday which is recognized by the group as a significant milestone not just for the recovering person but also for the group as a whole.

Berni Fried has 26 years of sobriety and even for her seeing other addicts gaining milestones and “taking cakes” helps to provide her with a sense of reassurance and connection with her peers. Hearing other recovering people share their stories about trials and tribulations in both using and sober helps to restore hope and faith that if “she can do it, I can do it!”. Celebrating various lengths of sobriety instills a sense of accomplishment and pride that staying sober is possible! For many recovering people they’re “sober birthday” is more important than their natural birthday because this was the day that they were able to let go of the dependency on drugs and alcohol and be free from the trap of Addiction and Alcoholism. The joy of celebrating recovery and marking sobriety with both “chips and cakes” helps to remind the recovering person that they are on the right track and they have accomplished a huge feat.

Berni Fried Encourages the Reintroduction of Individualized Treatment into Modern-Day Therapy

At Wonderland EPA, founder Berni Fried has immersed herself in the role of therapist for clients struggling with a broad array of issues. She continues to explore newfound methods of treatment that offer a personalized experience for each and every client.

Q: What specific trends have you witnessed in the therapy community that indicate a change is necessary?

Berni Fried: Most treatment centers publicize their use of individualized treatment on pamphlets, brochures and other marketing materials designed to attract new clients. The question is, how many of these treatment centers are actually offering individualized treatment?

Berni Fried Discusses Denial and Addiction

When there is addiction, there is always tremendous denial. Most addicts in the throes of the disease of addiction do not see the gravity of their problem. When discussing addiction as a disease, the first symptom of the illness is denial. This symptom is that the addict or alcoholic believes he or she has control over their addiction. Often times, the addict deflects and is unable to recognize that his or her use is wreaking havoc on not just their life but the lives of their family. Many times, the addict minimizes or blames others to avoid taking any responsibility for his or her use.

Denial is a strong defense that gives the addict a sense of power and minimization related to his or her illness. When addiction takes over, Berni Fried believes that the addict tends to minimize and deny that there are any negative consequences related to his or her use. It is only when the addict experiences negative consequences that he is able to recognize that there may be an issue related to his or her addiction. Through direct pain such as medical, legal, or emotional, an addict is forced to feel the ramifications of his or her use. Sometimes with emergency room visits, incarceration, divorce or blackouts, the addict can finally see that there may be a problem.

Berni Fried Urges Medical Practitioners to Improve Addiction Treatment Services

After reading a recent study performed by CASA Columbia, Berni Fried came away with a great concern about the plague of drug and alcohol addiction in today’s society. With the threat to public safety at an all-time high, she addresses some of the prevalent issues that have affected the therapy community and offers some solutions to these troubling trends.

Q: What was the statistic that stuck out most in your mind when you read the CASA Columbia report?

Berni Fried: Although it may be hard to believe, only 1 in 10 adults who struggle with addiction are getting the assistance they need through therapy and clinical treatment. That means a full 90 percent of people in the addiction community have been failed by our medical community. That is an astounding piece of information.