Schema Therapy Made Simple: A Practical Approach

Eckhard Roediger, M.D.
Director of the Frankfurt Schema Therapy Institute
Past President of the ISST

Topic Description:

Schema Therapy is a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which was developed specifically for the treatment of personality disorders, chronic mood problems, and interpersonal difficulties. Schema therapy is evidence-based and transdiagnostic in its approach. This workshop will introduce the Schema Therapy model, including its contemporary modifications. Dr. Roediger will also demonstrate use of the therapeutic relationship for limited reparenting. Another key feature of Schema therapy is the intensive use of experiential techniques. After outlining the need for emotion-focused approaches to induce deep and corrective emotional experiences, participants will engage in an Imagery Rescripting exercise together. Finally, there will be a role play demonstration of a chair dialogue with an externalizing (e.g. narcissistic) client. Participants will receive an intensive introduction into the Schema Therapy approach, along with vivid clinical examples, and will learn how Schema Therapy broadens and deepens our CBT therapeutic options.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the Schema Therapy conceptual model.

• Discuss the principles of the therapeutic relationship in Schema Therapy, which are used in “Limited Reparenting."

• Explain how experiential techniques in Schema Therapy enhance therapeutic intervention.

Speaker Biography:

Eckhard Roediger, MD is a neurologist, psychiatrist and psychotherapist. Dr. Roediger is trained in psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral therapy, and was the director of the psychosomatic department of a clinic in Berlin, Germany. Since 2007, Dr. Roediger has been working in private practice and also serves as Director of the Schema Therapy Training Center in Frankfurt, Germany. He is a member of the ISST Board since 2008, where he was the past-President of and is now an honorary member. Dr. Roediger is the author of multiple books on schema therapy for couples and integrating ACT-perspectives into Schema Therapy.