Our Trainings
Based on the experiences with online trainings and the support of the ISST we successfully started online-based trainings in 2021. Together with a number of therapists connected with the Frankfurt Schema Therapy Institute (IST-F) we are now building up a Schema Therapy Online Academy. Our training takes the integrative spirit of Jeffrey Young one step further by adding a contextual (or 3rd wave) perspective and body-focused work to the conventional schema therapy model in a dimensional framework according to the alternative model in the DSM-5. This expands the bandwidth of your therapies and makes them even more intense. For an overview about the ideas of our contextual approach watch this interview.
In the first line, we offer ISST-certified trainings in Couples Therapy as well as Special trainings completing your basic Schema therapy training, like Contextual Schema Therapy (CST) and treating Complex trauma and dissociative clients. For more information, please see below. Beyond that, we offer special events like training days for the most difficult modules and themes like “affairs” or “Intimacy and desire”. These trainings are in English and are provided by trainers from our staff. The individual and the couples training covers the whole ISST-certification guidelines including a supervision option. The contextual- and trauma-trainings count for ISST continuous education credit points.
Besides that we want to offer a platform to promote trainings in countries in their mother tongue, that are in line with our understanding of schema therapy, e.g. offered by people that passed through our trainings. We also invite people to offer specific modules in their field of expertise. If you are interested, please contact us.
The couples training covers the whole ISST-certification guidelines including a supervision option. Beyond that, we offer special events like training days for the most difficult modules and themes like “affairs”. The contextual- and trauma-trainings count for ISST continuous education credit points.
To get a deeper impression about our work you might take a look at the Couples Module System, at the live demonstration videos of the CST-interventions, or at one of our video tutorials telling more about the underpinnings of our work.
We offer two training formats to make your participation as convenient as possible. For more information about our tranings, select one of the following tabs.
Read more about the different trainings, selecting one of the following tabs
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Contextual ST
When the going gets tough: The Art of Empathic Confrontation using Contextual Schema Therapy. This 10 h training is meant as an add-on for those who already gained knowledge in conventional Schema therapy and want to broaden the scope of their interventions by adding a contextual (or 3rd-wave) perspective making empathic confrontation with difficult clients easy and safe.
Contextual
When the going gets tough: The Art of Empathic Confrontation using Contextual Schema Therapy
This 10 h training is meant as an add-on for those who already gained knowledge in conventional Schema therapy and want to broaden the scope of their interventions by adding a contextual (or 3rd-wave) perspective making empathic confrontation with difficult clients easy and safe.
Jeffrey Young stated, that Schema therapy has been integrative from the start. Keeping this spirit alive, we broaden the scope into a contextual (or 3rd wave therapy) perspective. Our add-on training includes Porgues Polyvagal theory as well as integrating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) processes e.g. a mindful observer stance. This leads to a more detailed understanding, what a Healthy Adult mode is actually doing, a very flexible therapy relationship (i.e offering a second layer of cooperation on the standig-up level) and a very intimate connection with the emotional parts of the clients including body representations and finally to a good balance between striving for change and acceptance. This makes your therapies very intensive, but safe – for your clients and yourself. Visit our demonstration videos for a vivid impression!
Readings:
- Roediger, E., Stevens, B. & Brockman, R. (2018). Contextual Schema Therapy. An Integrative Approach to Personality Disorders, Emotional Dysregulation, and Interpersonal Functioning. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.
- Roediger, E. (2012). Why are mindfulness and acceptance central elements for therapeutic change? An integrative perspective. In: van Vreeswijk M, Broersen J, Nadort M (eds). Handbook of Schema Therapy. Theory, Research and Practice. New York: Wiley, p.239-248.
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ST for Couples
The schema therapy model describes how unmet core needs lead to maladaptive schemas and coping behavior. Unfortunately, schema chemistry plays an important role when we choose our partners. So we often find ourselves in the same complementary roles that we got used to in childhood and fight the former significant others in our partners by mutually “pushing our buttons” activates our schemas leading to escalating mode cycles.
Couples ST
Full training in Schema Therapy for Couples (ISST-certified)
Besides working with couples from the very beginning, we can also start working with one partner and include the other partner later to a smaller or greater extend. Including the partner starts with thinking about him or her in therapy. The curriculum addresses both: Starting with one partner and including the other or starting with the couple right away. The approach focusses on the in-session presentation of the mode cycles. It is based on a module system serving as handrails guiding the therapist through the course of therapy.
You can apply our simplified interactional model on all dyadic interactions too (i.e. workplace conflicts, transgenerational conflicts in families or on therapy or supervision dynamics). This is why this training is also accessible for counselors and coaches (although they cannot achieve a certification). The training is based on a pre-existing knowledge and skills of experiential techniques like imagery rescripting and chair dialogues.
The Module system (bitte link setzen) is based on a simplified dimensional mode model (2 leg model) helping clients to get back into balance and learn connecting with the partners based on their social engagement system again. The 12 modules give you handrails guiding you through the core processes of therapy. You can apply them flexibly according to the client´s cooperation. This includes a schema-based understanding revealed in conjoint imagery sessions, activating resources in future directed imagery, deep chair dialogues with both partners as well as individual sessions when required. All together, this approach provides you with a well-structured but flexible tool-box helping your clients to analyze their mode clashes, stop them, emotionally reconnect and solve problems in connection dialogues. The therapist´s role is balanced between giving guidance, instructions, empathical support and giving responsibilty back to the clients. This prevents you from getting entangled and burned-out by the couple making couples therapies manageable and comfortable for you.
Readings
- Roediger, E. (2019) The Couples-ST Module System
DiFrancesco, C., Roediger, E., & Stevens, B. (2015). Schema Therapy with “Couples: A Practitioner’s Guide to Healing Relationships. Oxford-New York: Wiley. Stevens, B., & Roediger, E. (2016). Breaking Negative Relationship Patterns. A Schema Therapy Self-help and Support Book. Oxford-New York: Wiley
We offer this training in two formats: Either on full days or in 2 h – bits on a weekly basis making an integration into your working day possible. This also helps to apply the new knowledge step by step making it part of your daily work routine over a longer time.
Take a look at our Training Program and enroll now!
- Roediger, E. (2019) The Couples-ST Module System
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Trauma & Dissociaition
Schema Therapy with complex trauma and dissociation
Working with complex trauma client is challenging and triggers our own schemas a lot. These clients need more support and advice than even Borderline clients. On the other hand, based on internalized offender representations quite some of them show a covert aggression and can become entangling and demanding. This requires a sound balance between reparenting and empathic confrontation.
Couples ST
Schema Therapy with complex trauma and dissociation
Working with complex trauma client is challenging and triggers our own schemas a lot. These clients need more support and advice than even Borderline clients. On the other hand, based on internalized offender representations quite some of them show a covert aggression and can become entangling and demanding. This requires a sound balance between reparenting and empathic confrontation. Based on the dimensional “two leg”- Mode model this advanced training introduces facsimile documents of a client to understand their inner life and their fragmentation better and reveal the pitfalls in the therapy relationship with these severely deprived clients. We work on balancing the therapy relationship, manage dissociation up to dealing with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) clients and we watch an Imagery rescripting session with a real client showing how to deal with intensive anger expression. There will be space for questions and answers, of course!
We offer this 8 h training in 2 h – bits on a weekly basis making an integration into your working day possible. The sessions will be recorded in case you miss a session. The training counts for ISST-Continuous education credit points.
Take a look at our Training Program and enroll now!
