Masterclass sustained by David Edwards

Trainer: Prof. David Edwards

Schema modes are naturally occurring patterns of cognition, emotion and behaviour that are recurrent in an individual (Lazarus, Sened, & Rafaeli, 2020; Lazarus & Rafaeli, in press). They are recognizable and can be helpfully classified into the familiar categories we use in schema therapy. Default modes may stay in place for hours at a time, while, in mode flipping, there is sudden shifting between contrasting modes. However, within a therapy session it is normal for a client’s modes to shift and change as the interaction with the therapist unfolds. Therefore, the therapist needs to attune to the client’s experience and follow it closely as it changes moment by moment.

Although schema therapists are familiar with a basic set of modes, Edwards (2022) listed over 80 schema modes and argued that therapists’ ability to differentiate between modes contributes to both theír capacity for case conceptualization, and to their sensitivity and responsiveness within the session. Recognizing the mode shifts in the client helps therapists respond in a sensitive and therapeutic manner. The therapist needs to actively guides the client in a way that facilitates a therapeutic process and “is always working towards something” (Elliott and Greenberg, 2007, p. 244). In the unfolding process, there is a creative dialectic between the therapist’s following and guiding “analogous to a dance in which each partner responds to the other by alternately following and leading” (p. 244).

This workshop will begin with a review of what it takes for a therapist to become responsive to within session mode processes. These are in the form of what I call six dance lessons. Then, how this works in practice will be illustrated by case examples of therapy sessions in which the unfolding process is closely tracked. Moment to moment mode shifts in the client are identified and there is a focus on how therapists can respond to them most effectively.

These clinical examples highlight common challenges for therapists that will include:

• How to make real contact with the client’s vulnerable child because child images that appear may not be a true vulnerable child, but a coping child.
• How to get to the root of early maladaptive schemas that may go back to infancy, birth or even before.
• How to work with the hopeless child.

During the workshop other significant themes will be examined that include:

• What do we mean by the term “schemas” and how relates to other terms such as patterns, scripts and working models.
• Working with clients with different attachment styles.
• Recognizing the nature of the diverse coping modes and the specific techniques that are needed to address different kinds of coping.
• Creating a theatre of the imagination to enhance access to the deep structure of the client’s experiences in the episodic/implication memory system.

The workshop will include one of more live demonstrations if there are participants who are willing to work with me on a personal issue.

Where and when?

The advanced course will take place over the course of two days, on July 6th and 7th, 2023, in a hybrid format (online and face-to-face) in Bucharest. The event will be conducted in English, with simultaneous translation for the online participants only. The access link will be sent to online participants upon payment of the corresponding course fee.

Offline event will be kept at Hotel Novotel, Calea Victoriei 37B

Course schedule

Course cost and payment details

The cost of the course is 1600 RON until June 5th, 2023, and 1800 RON after that date until the event.
Participants who have already completed a training program in Schema Therapy under the auspices of HOLO, AHPCC, or the Romanian Institute of Schema Therapy are eligible for a special price of 1400 RON. For the discount please add the coupon 8AY6M8J6 which will be validated by an agent.

Who is this event for?

Acest atelier se adresează psihoterapeuților familiarizați cu terapia schemelor, care au deja o formare în această abordare teraupetică sau cunoștințe solide și aprofundate de terapia schemelor. Cursul va fi acreditat la Colegiul Psihologilor din România. Pentru obținerea creditelor, prezența este obligatorie.

Who is David Edwards?

- Clinical psychologist, trainer, and supervisor with over 35 years of experience in the field of psychotherapy, accredited by the International Society of Schema Therapy (ISST);

- Professor at Rhodes University, South Africa;

- Associate Member of the British Psychological Society;

- Founding Member and Diplomate of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, specializing in training and certifications, and setting international standards for cognitive therapy as developed by Aaron T. Beck.

- Former President of the International Society of Schema Therapy (schematherapysociety.org).

References

Edwards, D. J. A. (2022). Using Schema Modes for Case Conceptualization in Schema Therapy: An Applied Clinical Approach. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.763670

Elliott, R., & Greenberg, L. S. (2007). The Essence of Process-Experiential/Emotion-Focused Therapy. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 61(3), 241-254. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.2007.61.3.241

Lazarus, G., & Rafaeli, E. (In press). Modes: Cohesive Personality States and their Inter-relationships
as Organizing Concepts in Psychopathology. Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/9yqr6

Lazarus, G., Sened, H., & Rafaeli, E. (2020). Subjectifying the Personality State: Theoretical Underpinnings and an Empirical Example. European Journal of Personality, 34(6), 1017-1036. https://doi.org/10.1002/per.2278