Schema Therapy

Schema Therapy training is a 2-day course.

Schema therapy is an innovative psychotherapy developed by Dr. Jeffrey Young for personality disorders, chronic depression,  and other difficult individual and couples problems.

Research shows that for some patients, especially those with complex needs and personality disorder, CBT is not effective. Jeffrey Young developed the Schema Therapy framework that is an easy approach for patients and staff and helps with risk management and the development of prosocial behavior.

The four main concepts in the Schema Therapy model are: Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS), Core Emotional Needs, Schema Mode, and Maladaptive Coping Styles. EMS are self-defeating, core themes or patterns  that we keep repeating throughout our lives. EMS relate to the basic emotional needs of a child. When these needs are not met in childhood, schemas develop that lead to unhealthy life patterns. Maladaptive Coping Styles are the ways the child adapts to schemas and to damaging childhood experiences.

Schema Modes are the moment-to-moment emotional states and coping responses that we all experience.  Often our schema modes are triggered by life situations that we are oversensitive to (our “emotional buttons”).  Many schema modes lead us to overreact to situations, or to act in ways that end up hurting us.

Course aims:

The course aims to introduce staff and patients to the main principles of Schema with the aim to enhance understanding of client’s presentation. The main goal of the training is to help staff interacting with patients in an effective and pro-social way avoiding burn out as the efforts is to help patients strengthen their Healthy Adult mode; weaken their Maladaptive Coping Modes. More information about these concepts can be sent on request. This training aims at helping organizations and hospitals to set up psychological informed environments (PIE).

Course structure:

• Why Schema Therapy.
• What is a schema?
• Early maladaptive schemas (EMS), definition and origins.
• Schema perpetuation and coping styles
• How to educate patients about schemas.
• Case assessments and formulation.

What this course will give you:

• You will develop an understanding of the underlying psychological difficulties behind clients’ presentation
• You will gain insight into your own schemas and how they affect you and others.
• You will learn what works with personality disorder and how to challenge client’s disruptive behaviour