Module 1: Schema Therapy Foundations:
Theory and Core Skills (intensive)

12-14 May, 2023 (online)

Module 1 overview

This 3-day workshop covers core schema therapy assessment and treatment skills and includes: schema therapy assessment, conceptualization, transdiagnostic treatment approach for complex and enduring mental health difficulties and personality disorders, including borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Topics covered in Module 1:

1. Assessment of schemas and modes, use of psychometrics and imagery in assessment.
2. Case formulation: identification of schemas and modes, the process of mode mapping, and developing treatment goals. The main emphasis of Module 1 will be on conceptualising transdiagnostically with a particular focus on borderline personality disorder (BPD) to convey a theoretical grounding in the schema therapy model.
3. Therapeutic relationship: limited reparenting, empathic confrontation, setting of boundaries and awareness of therapist’s own schemas and modes. Module 1 incorporates a significant self–reflection component. At the outset, trainees will be asked to complete a schema questionnaire. The training will explore the interplay between clients’ and therapists’ schemas and modes, and the potential for schema chemistry in the therapeutic relationship.
4. Imagery techniques including working with childhood memories and linking these to current emotional states or mode activation in imagery; incorporation of therapist nurturance in imagery; working with the vulnerable or angry child modes, strengthening the healthy adult mode.
5. Chair work and role-play techniques: Use of chair work and role play to identify schemas/modes, to enhance meta-awareness of schema/mode relationships and to promote schema/mode change. These include limit setting in relation to the angry child mode and confronting punitive/demanding modes, bypassing detached protector and other coping modes.
6. Cognitive techniques: identification and integration of relevant cognitive techniques into schema work, e.g. schema/mode diaries, pros and cons of schemas, schema dialogue, flashcards etc.
7. Body-focussed techniques to complement the standard experiential techniques – somatic resourcing, enhancing imagery and chair work using body-focussed strategies.
8. Behavioural pattern breaking: use of behavioural changes following on from schema and mode work.
9. Homework assignments: setting relevant homework directly related to the session content.

Training costs

A stand-alone 3-day module costs £550.