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  • Schema Therapy Training Online: 2021 Developing Nations Scholarships

    Schema Therapy Training Online: 2021 Developing Nations Scholarships

    Our goal is to improve access to education for developing nations and in practice contexts where there is a disadvantage.

    Schema Therapy is a powerful evidence-based model of psychotherapy that is currently being disseminated across the globe.

    Access to quality training in schema therapy has thus far however been largely limited to those that are privileged enough to live in locations where access is practically and economically possible.

    That is, there is an obvious issue in terms of inclusion for therapists that come from countries where access to such training is not possible or cost-prohibitive. With this in mind, Schema Therapy Training Online is proud to announce a program for Developing Nations Scholarships that will open for application twice yearly for those who come from countries and/or practice contexts (e.g. working with Indigenous populations) where there is a disadvantage in terms of inclusivity or access to the dissemination of professional development.

    Scholarship inclusions (non certification track)

    • Online Course 1: The Basic Model & Treatment Strategies (18-Hours)
    • Online Course 2: The Mode Model for Complex Cases (18-Hours)

    Eligibility Criteria

    Applicants must demonstrate via a short statement and a copy of their resume that they:

    1. Are a qualified mental health professional in their country of residence.
    2. Have a level of disadvantage in access to professional development.
    3. Are in a position to use the training to support their community or the community they are servicing.

    Key Dates for 2021

    • Intake 1: Applications will close 1st June (2021)
    • Intake 2: Applications will close 1st December (2021) **NOW EXTENDED UNTIL 30 January 2022**

  • Episode 13: Jeff Young Interview Part 2

    Episode 13: Jeff Young Interview Part 2

    This is the second part of our interview with Dr Jeffrey Young. Here he discusses the role of the punitive critic, the effect of culture on schemas/mode development, and advice to the schema therapist in training.

    Learning and Schema Therapy

    “Learning is not just what people do to you. It’s observing people and internalizing how they think, how they feel, how they behave and [that] becomes part of us.” – Jeffrey Young

    Since we are infants, the brain is constantly soaking up one’s environment in the early years through environmental and parental factors whether we are aware of it or not. Often we develop learned patterns and behaviors passed down from our parents whether positive or negative.

    Enter the punitive critic

    The critic, most of the time, does not serve a helpful function. One thing to point out is who is the punitive parent or punitive person in one’s life. The model is not that this is just an internalized critical voice but rather the internalized voice of ones own parent, sister, peer group or culture.

    The effect of culture on schemas/ mode development

    There is no question that the culture affects schema and if you don’t understand the relationship between the child and the parent in that culture and adapt to fit their need then these techniques couldn’t be used.

    It’s arguably a part of the therapist’s role to get an understanding of a client’s culture, coming from an outside perspective.

    Instead of assuming about culture, the best thing to do is ask about it from your client.

    Working with the local therapists is a massive resource to say. Feel free to collaborate and discuss schema and your schema training with someone who is an expert in their culture.

    1. Learn about your clients culture by asking questions.
    2. Use other local therapists as a source.
    3. The fact that it’s part of the culture doesn’t mean you have to go along with it, but it means if you’re going to challenge it, be aware of the risks.

    Diverse cultural parenting

    The biggest difference among cultures, especially Eastern to Western, is the diverse parenting styles and the relationship between the child and the parents. When speaking to clients about a punitive parent, parents, it will have an effect when you try to question the way they were raised.

    If there is resistance with asking about parenting style, consider asking through a series of questions about the parents and their parenting style. Possibly, ask to compare their parents with other parental styles of friends from the same culture. Then, by comparing with other parents in the same culture, they may or may not believe their parents are more punitive than others and will be more open to discussion after there is an understanding.

    Whether or not clients have the wrong beliefs of how parents should treat their kids (wrong even within their own culture) challenging but not attacking those beliefs are important.

    “I think we can, we can really help wellbeing in the world by, by helping parenting and getting that right.” – Rob Brockman