Therapists’ competencies are crucial to ethical delivery of short term dynamic therapy – knowledge of psychodynamic principles and of psychopathology, in order to assess for suitability, and to help the patient reach his/her expected goals through an active stage-process model in a maximum of 25 weekly sessions. Length of therapy will depend on the severity of the presenting problems and the collaborative therapist/patient’s capacity to work together in a safe therapeutic relationship. It is neither an abbreviated model nor a substitute for long term therapy. Training, supervision and peer support is recommended to those who embark on STIPP.