Schema Therapy basic and advanced level (50 hours)

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

WHAT IS SCHEMA THERAPY?

Schema therapy is a specialised form of cognitive therapy that integrates methods and techniques from interpersonal, experiential and psychodynamic therapy to effectively treat personality issues. Research has shown that most personality disorders can be treated successfully with Schema Therapy.
A schema therapist makes use of cognitive, behavioural and experiential techniques, influencing the patient through three channels: feeling (experiential), thinking (cognitive) and doing (behavioural).
In addition to these three channels there are four distinctive focal points in the therapy: life outside the therapy, events within the therapy setting (primarily the therapeutic relationship), experiences from the past, and the future.
Schema therapy focuses on changing dysfunctional schemas/modes into more flexible and less extreme schemas/modes and developing adequate coping strategies so that patients develop a more positive image of themselves and others as well as a more nuanced view of the world around them.

COURSE CONTENT

  • Assessment
    Exploring schemas, coping strategies and schema modes, including the use of questionnaires, the downward arrow technique, and imagery. Summarising information using a case conceptualisation form and creating a case conceptualisation model or mode model.
  • The therapeutic relationship
    Limited reparenting, emphatic confrontation, setting limits and dealing with the schemas of the therapist.
  • Specific cognitive techniques
    Schema diary, multi-dimensional evaluation, pie chart and flashcards.
  • Experiential techniques
    Imagery rescripting, historical role play, and chairwork.
  • Behavioural Change Strategies and homework assignments
    Role play, training skills, and behavioural experiments.

This course will teach you how to apply all of the techniques with all of the personality disorders. In addition to the theory, significant attention will be given to the practical application of skills.
Moreover, participants will learn much more about their own schemas, coping strategies and modes. One of the ways to achieve this goal is to make a Case Conceptualisation of each other in pairs. To this end, everyone gives relevant details of his or her life history and fills in questionnaires about schemas and modes.

Remco van der Wijngaart