It's a great time to review your choices for your second day of Summer School, June 12th. Take a moment to read through the descriptions, then click the "Register" button below to make your choice for Day 2.

Option 1: Individual Schema Therapy for Axis I Disorders

by Eshkol Rafaeli & Offer Maurer

The schema mode model, originally developed for the treatment of personality disorders, is gradually proving itself to be distinctly suited to address the vexing problems faced by individuals who suffer from various Axis-I disorders as well. Disorders such as depression, social anxiety, eating disorders, PTSD, and OCD are often highly comorbid with each other and with personality disorders, a fact which helps explain why even state-of-the-art methods for their treatment often have less-than- desirable effects. 

Indeed, the complexity of problems, the interpersonal dysfunction that often accompanies them, and the difficulty forming trusting and collaborative bonds with the therapist often leave individuals with primary Axis-I disorders in great distress. 

The schema therapy model, and particularly its recent developments which emphasize the role of modes, explicitly addresses schemas (and associated core beliefs), emotions, behaviors, and interpersonal difficulties, with the therapeutic relationship as the primary vehicle for change, make it highly suitable to target the entrenched belief systems and high levels of avoidance characteristic of both personality disorders and many axis-I disorders. 

The workshop will address the following issues: 

• a)  The problem of high comorbidity, which makes disorder-specific interventions less applicable (and which calls for the trans-diagnostic thinking characteristic of ST).
• b)  Relatedly, the manner in which Axis-II pathology interferes with evidence-based techniques and protocols for addressing Axis-I problems - and the solutions that can be found in ST for such interference.
• c)  Finally, the problem that arises with CBT and other evidence-based approaches which are premised on the presence of a “healthy adult” within the client. Sadly, many clients enter therapy with a weak-to-non-existent healthy adult mode, a realization which is at the core of ST.

ST theory and techniques will be discussed, with the following emphases: 

• a)  The importance of developing a formulation and treatment plan that addresses the underlying mode dynamics characteristic of the individuals suffering from particular disorders (Depression, Social Anxiety, OCD, PTSD, etc.).
• b)  The manner in which assessing the currently-active mode drives differential therapist responses.
• c)  The specific models suggested for each of the disorders, and the implementation of these models. 

Option 2: Child & Adolescent Group Schema Therapy

by Elena Romanova & Maria Galimzyanova

This workshop will present the ST model for working with Children and adolescents in groups developed by Drs. Elena Romanova and Maria Galimzyanova. The approach is consistent with the ST model for children and adolescents and the Group ST model approved by the ISST for certification, combining a wide range of experiential interventions grounded in cognitive and behavioral change work.

Core interventions include: group limited reparenting, group imagery re-scripting, mode-specific group role-plays, experiential group work and the distinctive two therapist model that is considered crucial for maintaining the essence of limited reparenting. The use of drawings, mode based play therapy, storytelling and fairytale therapy techniques, working with finger puppets and marionettes, sand-play, metaphors, mode role plays, imagery, “Inner House” and the use of flashcards are all described or demonstrated. These interventions can also be used in individual schema therapy and this use of them is also discussed dependent upon the interests of participants. Demonstrations by trainers with participants playing adolescents they are treating. Schema-coaching with parents is also described.

The workshop incorporates: didactic sections with power-point and group discussion, demonstrations by trainers in which the workshop participants play patients, DVD segments of the trainers leading a group and many opportunities for participants to practice group interventions with coaching and feedback.

Option 3: Advances and Challenges in Working with Complex Trauma, Dissociation and Personality Disorders

by Joan Farrell & Ida Shaw

This workshop focuses on ST interventions for the challenges these clients present and the schema activation and mode triggering therapists encounter in working with them. Creative adaptations of imagery rescripting and the development of the client’s “Good Parent” (part of the Healthy Adult mode) will be major foci. Techniques to deal with flashbacks, avoidance, detachment and dissociation are addressed – both in the session and plans for clients to use outside of therapy. The workshop will include case examples of clients who were successfully treated with schema therapy. The training will incorporate didactic sections, demonstrations by trainers in which the workshop participants play a group of clients, and opportunities for participants to practice these interventions with coaching and feedback. 

Have You Decided? Make Your Choice By Clicking 'Register' Below

ISST Summer School will take place June 11th through the 13th. The conference venue will be the centrally located Holiday Inn St. Petersburg Moskovskye Vorota. 

Don't miss this opportunity to explore the magical St. Petersburg White Nights Festival together with fellow ISST colleagues. Reunite with your ISST friends and make new connections with fellow colleagues who share your passion for schema therapy from around the world.

Visit the new ISST website for more details about the conference, including program listings, and exciting social adventures. Don't Miss Out: Register Now.