See agenda for the course dates, locations and the registration form.

SCHEMA THERAPY ADVANCED TRAINING COURSE

This is an advanced course designed for those who have already completed a basic course in schema therapy and have gained some experience in applying schema therapy.
Schema therapy is still developing, and working with clients with personality disorders continually raises new questions. One example of such a development is the introduction over the last couple of years of mode models for different personality disorders, e.g. Cluster C personality Disorders. Additionally, a more systematic approach has been developed that insightfully connects schemas, coping strategies, and modes. There are also new applications of schema therapy in various settings (groups and couples) and for different target groups (adolescents, individuals with addictions, and forensic populations). Furthermore, schema therapy is implemented in different ways within outpatient and inpatient care. This course focuses on schema therapy for individual adult patients.
For training courses specifically focusing on group schema therapy, Cluster B and C disorders, and adolescents, we refer to other training options offered on our website (see website).

This advanced training course delves deeper into the application of cognitive, experiential, behavioral, and interpersonal techniques for all personality disorders.
Participants will work with case studies brought in by themselves.

COURSE CONTENT

• Case conceptualization for complex disorders: challenges and solutions
• Mode models for all personality disorders
• Recognizing modes at an early stage
• Managing the therapeutic relationship when confronted with challenging modes
• Cognitive and interpersonal techniques for clients with persistent coping modes
• Applying experiential techniques in cases where this seems almost impossible
• Managing excessive or insufficient anger (and linking this to modes)

ASSESSMENT

On the morning of the final day, a practical assessment will be conducted. Each participant will demonstrate their skills through a role-play exercise. Based on a case conceptualization created by the presenters, some participants will take turns playing the client, while everyone takes turns playing the therapist.
The assessment criteria are described in the course manual and will be further explained verbally during the course. If a participant does not sufficiently demonstrate schema therapeutic skills during the practical assessment, there will be an opportunity for a retake. The retake may consist of:

• A second role-play on the same day,
• A role-play scheduled with the presenter on a later date, or
• Submitting a recording of a therapy session with one of their own clients.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Knowledge
By the end of the course, participants will have refreshed their knowledge of the key elements of schema therapy (concepts, the therapeutic relationship of Limited Reparenting, and the application of cognitive, emotion-focused, and behavioral techniques). Participants will also gain insights into how to apply these elements when treating Cluster B and Cluster C disorders. Additionally, they will learn how to handle challenging clinical situations, such as self-harm and crises. Lastly, participants will have a better understanding of how to create, implement, and evaluate a schema therapy treatment plan.

Skills
By the end of the course, participants will be able to apply the key elements of schema therapy at a sufficient level when treating clients with Cluster B and Cluster C personality disorders. Participants will also be adequately equipped to apply specific schema therapy methods and techniques in challenging clinical situations, such as working with clients who exhibit strongly avoidant or overcompensating behavior patterns.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This schema therapy training course can count both for certification for the International Society for Schema Therapy (ISST) as for the Dutch Society for Schema Therapy (VSt).

The certification requirements for both societies are described below.

International Society for Schema Therapy (ISST)

The ISST requires a 40 hrs training. This advanced training course counts as the second part of these required 40 hrs after the 25 hrs Basic training course.

To qualify for certification in Schema Therapy a person must fulfill the following two qualifications: 

1. Academic training: Hold at least a master’s degree in psychology, clinical social work, psychiatric nursing or a counseling area that leads to licensing; or a medical degree with psychiatric residency (or residency equivalent if it is defined differently in that country). 

2. License or certification for practice: In countries that certify or license the above professions, a person must be certified or licensed by either the government body or professional organization which grants this. If no such control exists in a country, the standard of one of the national or international professional psychotherapy organizations must be met to fulfill this requirement. 

Dutch Society for Schema Therapy (VSt)

The VSt requires a 50 hrs training. This advanced training course counts as the second part of these required 50 hrs after the 25 hrs Basic training course.

Those participants who have a BIG-registration as a Mental Health Psychologist (GZ-psycholoog), Orthopedagogue (Orthopedagoog generalist), Psychotherapist, Clinical Psychologist or Psychiatrist, members of specialist psychological societies or occupational therapists (RVB), who work with clients with a personality disorder and/or persistent, therapy resistant depressive- or anxiety disorders are allowed to participate in this course. Also, those in training to become one of the previously mentioned registrations are allowed to participate. One condition for participation is to have some knowledge and skills from cognitive behavioral therapy.

Others, e.g. basic psychologists, pedagogues or people following a HBO education other that occupational therapy, are only allowed to join the course, when they collaborate closely with colleagues who are registered schema therapists.

PREREQUISITES

To participate in the ‘Advanced Schema Therapy’ course, a minimum of a successfully completed and accredited 25-hour ‘Basic Schema Therapy’ course is required.
Check www.schematherapie.nl for a list of accredited courses.

LITERATURE

Mandatory audiovisual production to purchase:

During the course, in addition to the literature, the audiovisual production ‘Schema Therapy Step by Step’ will be used. This production consists of 95 scenes that demonstrate all the steps of schema therapy with a patient diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. The goal of this production is to familiarize beginning schema therapists with all aspects of schema therapy. The scenes are used for preparation, technique demonstration, and homework for each session. This production is available as an online stream via the website www.schematherapy.nl.

Literature from required textbooks:

• Arntz, A. & Jacob, G. (2012). Schema Therapy: A Practical Guide. 
• Van Genderen, H., & Arntz, A. (2021). Schema Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder, Second Fully Revised Edition.
• Young, J.E., Klosko, J.S., & Weishaar, M.E. (2020 or 2005).
  Schema Therapy: A Practitioner’s Guide.

NOTE: It is assumed that you already own this book by Jeffrey Young, as it is also required literature for the basic course. If this is the case, as an updated alternative to Jeffrey Young’s handbook, you may also consider the recently published:

• Brockman, R., Simpson, S., Hayes, C., Van der Wijngaart, R., & Smout, M. (2023). Cambridge Guide to Schema Therapy.
  Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  ISBN: 9781108927475

STUDY LOAD

Preparation per course day (practicing homework from the previous session, reading literature, selecting case studies for the lesson day): a maximum of 5 hours.
The number of hours mentioned above is a generous estimate to avoid the actual study load being heavier than expected.

ACCREDITATION

The following accreditations have been granted or are under review (previously awarded):

• ISST
• VSt: Vereniging voor Schematherapie: Advanced Course
• VGCt: Advanced Course for 25 accreditation points
• FGzPt: re-registration for Clinical Psychologists 25 accreditation points
• Register Vaktherapeutische Beroepen
• NVvP accreditation available upon request
• VEN

INSTRUCTORS (see also the instructor tab)

• Drs. R. van der Wijngaart (Remco)
• Drs. Korevaar (Chris)

DATES, COSTS, AND REGISTRATION

The course fee is €1,095, including the reader, course materials available on the website, and lunch. Excludes books and audiovisual materials. You will receive the invoice approximately two months before the course starts.

Registration
Check the agenda for for course dates, locations, and the registration form.