Schema Therapy training workshops (Schema Therapy NI) – Additional information on certification

 

Module 1 (4 days) Essentials of Schema Therapy – Conceptualisation and Key Skills. This workshop provides an introduction to schema theory and concepts including schemas, modes, and coping styles. The module also provides a grounding in key schema therapy clinical skills: assessment, case conceptualisation, treatment planning, and core therapeutic techniques (such as limited reparenting, cognitive techniques, and experiential techniques including imagery and chair work).

 

Module 2 (3 days) Deepening Schema Therapy practice – Working with complex cases (complex trauma, narcissism, avoidant and anxious presentations). This workshop builds on Module 1, providing an overview of advanced skills for working with Borderline Personality Disorder/complex trauma, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and Cluster C Personality Disorders (anxious/avoidant).

Training details:

• This training (attendance at both Modules 1 & 2) meets requirements for the taught component of certification as a Schema Therapist (adult individual schema therapy modality) with the International Society of Schema Therapy/ISST.
• Workshops are interactive and focused on clinical skills development with a mixture of teaching, group discussions and exercises, videos, and clinical skills practice through use of role plays.

 

Eligibility for pursuing certification as a schema therapist:

• Training can be attended for CPD purposes or in order to pursue certification as a schema therapist.
• Participants pursuing certification will need to meet eligibility criteria (see ISST certification requirements, and eligibility criteria from the UK group of ST training directors). In brief, this means - At least a bachelor’s degree, and also: full Accreditation with the BABCP or BACP, or registration with the HCPC in the case of psychologist applicants.
• Applications from practitioners who do not meet the above training criteria but hold a core qualification in mental health may still be eligible, however such applications will be considered on a case by case basis. In some cases this may involve submission of a detailed portfolio of training/qualifications/experience to the UK training directors group (see UK eligibility requirements document for details).
• These requirements must be met prior to attending training, if the training is to be counted towards certification requirements in the future.

Expectations for those pursuing certification:

• See ISST certification document for required number of supervision sessions, client hours, and submission of case conceptualisations and session recordings.
• For certification there is an additional time commitment of attending a minimum of 20 hours of supervision for those pursuing standard certification, or 40 hours of supervision for those pursuing advanced certification.
  • Please note, participants wishing to pursue certification would need to make their own arrangements for accessing appropriate supervision following training. While access to approved supervisors in Northern Ireland is currently limited, supervision can be provided online and so this can be provided by supervisors who are further afield. A search function on the ISST website can be used to locate appropriate supervisors.
  • Costs to be agreed with the individual supervisor, but may be approximately £100 per supervision session.
• A number of session recordings will need to be submitted to the supervisor for assessment prior to proceeding to external examiner assessment of a session recording (a minimum of 2 session recordings to be rated by the supervisor for standard certification, and a minimum of 4 for advanced certification).
• For standard certification one recorded therapy session needs to be rated by an external examiner; for advanced certification two recorded sessions are rated. There is an external examiner fee incurred for the tape rating, often approximately £150 per rating.
• Application for certification is required within 3 years of completing the taught component. If an application is not completed within this time frame, there is a requirement to submit evidence of 6 Schema Therapy CPD hours for each year exceeding the limit.
• Individuals applying for and maintaining certification must be members of the ISST (current cost approx. £90 per year).

 

Service requirements for those pursuing certification:

• Participants pursuing certification need to be working within a service setting where they:
  • Have clinical access to conduct therapy with adults diagnosed with personality disorders or with significant personality disorder features, and with adults appropriate for schema mode work (due to complexity, chronicity, failure to respond to treatment or relapse).
  • Can see clients for a treatment duration of at least 25 therapy sessions.
  • Can see at least 2 clients for schema therapy and complete 80 schema therapy sessions.
  • Can record therapy sessions as required for certification.

 

Further information on certification requirements can be found in the documents below: 

Eligibility criteria to begin UK, ISST-Approved

ISST requirements for certification

 

To apply for the certification route, please click here to download the application form. The completed form should be emailed to dclinpsy@qub.ac.uk

Click here to register your interest

If you have any further queries about the training, please get in touch!