Overview and the Schema Therapy Institutes approach

Schema Therapy, especially in the field of child and adolescent therapy particularly focused on action-guiding, diagnostic and therapeutic concepts.

The curriculum is comprised of:

• Conceptual model and underlying theory (central importance core needs in the context of developmental tasks)
• Assessment
• Requirements in the therapeutic stance (e.g., concept of “limited reparenting” and “empathic confrontation”)
• Temperament and personality factors in childhood and adolescence.
• Treatment strategies (needs,  schemas and modes)
• Advanced and deepened work with parents in terms of “Schema Coaching” that include schema or mode specific transactional processes between child and parent and shed a light on mutual reinforcement’s processes of child’s and parent’s maladaptive schemas.

The curriculum will be covered over three workshops:

Link to Schema Society Pages

http://schematherapysociety.org/Child-and-Adolescent-Certifcation

http://schematherapysociety.org/Resources/Documents/Children’s%20Curriculum%20GrLo.pdf

Workshop 1

Introductory workshop

The introductory workshop begins with an explanation of the conceptual model- the formation and perpetuation of maladaptive schemas against the background of age-specific developmental tasks, risk and protective temperamental factors. Depending upon children’s age the 18 schemas described by Young are outlined with their typical child and adolescent presentation and coping strategies. The workshop also presents multimodal assessment techniques (use of exploration, survey, imagery, case conceptualization) and explains the importance of the therapeutic relationship, psychoeducation and empathic confrontation. Exercises and demonstration to learn therapeutic strategies include:

• Working with drawings and pictures,

• Mode-based play therapy

• Working with stories

• Finger and hand puppets

• Metaphors

• Chair work

• Imagery, visual presentation of the “Inner House”

• The use of flash cards and homework.

An important part of the introductory workshop is to understand work with parents. The introductory workshop includes many practical demonstrations, AV material, and exercises to allow the participants to relate the content to their own practice.

ST for Children and Adolescents

This workshop is based upon the content of the introductory workshop.

The goal of this workshop is to learn the techniques of schema therapy with children and adolescents specifically. After a brief connection with the schema theoretical introduction and sharing of some experiences in practice (WS 1), the focus will be laid on the features of the particular therapeutic relationship, including the concepts of limited reparenting, empathic confrontation and practical working with the special schema therapeutic techniques. Video examples and role-play in groups of two or three participants ensure the consolidation and deepening of what has been learnt. In particular, the content and methods are:

• Working on close relationships with children and adolescents

• Working with finger and hand puppets

• Imagery

• Use of flash cards and homework

• Working with (stem) stories (with exercise)

• Working on the “Inner House”

The workshop offers many practical demonstrations and AV material, and small exercises allow the participants to implement strategies in their own practice.

Workshop 2

ST for working with Children and Parents

The goal of this workshop is to understand how to work with parents. Content includes:

• Parental mode work with chairs,

• Imagery

• Schema and mode flash cards

• Schema diary

• Therapeutic relationship with parents: “Limited Grandparenting”

• Assessment of parental resources, needs and family structures, assessment questionnaires

• Psychoeducation and group work exercises with parents in groups

• Schema and Mode change strategies with parents

• Mode feedback among family members

• Working with caregivers, teachers and so on

• Therapist pitfalls with children and parents

Workshop 3

Helping Parents and Children work through mode clashes and survive adolescence

Participants who attended an introductory schema therapy workshop for adult Schema Therapy can join in directly into the children’s curriculum, if they have informed themselves about the specific techniques for children and parents outlined in the book by Loose, Graaf and Zarbock (see literature).

Content: This workshop is based upon the content of introductory schema therapy workshops with adults. The goal of this workshop is to learn the techniques of schema therapy with parents specifically.

The focus will be on the features of the work with parents including practical exercises.

The parental mode work with chairs, finger puppets, imagery, schema and mode flash card, internal dialogue and schema diary are the central point of WS 3.

Case studies of the participants and role play in groups of two or three participants ensure the deepening of what has been learnt. In particular, the content and methods are:

• Therapeutic relationship with parents: “Limited Grandparenting”
• Investigation of parental resources, needs and family structures
• Testing of questionnaires
• Education of the schema and mode concept in the context of parenting with exercises in groups
• Creating a schematic therapeutic and systemic disturbance model
• Adjustment of the parental schema’s and modes
• Mode feedback among family members
• Schema pedagogy approaches (working with caregivers, teachers and so on)
• Collusion between schema’s and modes between the therapist and the patient (child/parents)

Workshop 4

Schema Therapy Case Conceptualization (Exercises to own Cases)

The goal of this workshop is to apply understanding of Child and Adolescent Schema Therapy to individual case work.

Participants will review::

• Illustration of the basic approach to case conceptualization

• Conceptualization and treatment planning for their own cases

• Self therapy and supervision

• Formal reporting to health agencies and insurance companies

• Mode-oriented play therapy

• Special problems

Pre-requisites for training and certification requirements

The following link contains the pre-requisites for training, certification requirements, and the requirements to become a trainer and/or supervisor in child or adolescent schema therapy.

ST – CA Guidelines and Content

Photo’s from recent child and adolescent training…