Deliberate Practice a Breakthrough Method to developing Schema Therapy Mastery
Deliberate Practice is an innovative method for developing mastery that has recently been applied to psychotherapy training, including schema therapy. The deliberate practice approach bridges the gap between theory and application, and the repetitions move essential ST skills into procedural memory. The approach likens learning schema therapy to learning other complex skills like playing the piano or learning tennis. This presentation, by the authors of “The Deliberate Practice of Schema Therapy (2024), focuses on how trainers and supervisors of ST can use deliberate practice techniques to improve the effectiveness of their training and supervision. Deliberate practice identifies the key micro-skills of ST interventions, defines their core criteria, and provides clinical vignettes with sample client statements for therapists to respond to. In operation, trainees play the roles of “client” or “therapist” with a third peer observer or supervisor watching. The “client” reads the provided statement followed by the “therapist” responding to meet the micro skill criteria. The “client” then provides feedback on how they were affected by the “therapist’s” statement. The “trainer” gives feedback on whether the skill’s criteria have been met and makes suggestions for improvement. Next, the “therapist” formulates a new response based on the feedback, and the role play is repeated as many times as needed to successfully meet the skill criteria and receive a positive client response. This is the unique contribution of deliberate practice – the opportunity to repeatedly practice micro-skill interventions with “client” and “trainer” feedback and specific skill criteria to develop mastery. The presentation will give attendees the opportunity to experience deliberate practice exercises with feedback from the presenters. Wendy Behary and Joan Farrell are master ST trainer-supervisors recognized internationally for their expertise, creativity and their enthusiastic and effective teaching style.
Learning Objectives
1. Participants will be able to use deliberate practice exercises in their training and supervision.
2. Participants will experience and be able to explain the deliberate practice approach to learning and teaching ST.
Speakers
Wendy BeharyClick for moreWith 30 years of professional experience and advanced level certifications, Wendy Behary is the founder and director of The Cognitive Therapy Center of New Jersey and The Schema Therapy Institutes of NJ-NYC-DC. She has been treating clients, training professionals and supervising psychotherapists for more than 20 years. Wendy was on the faculty of the Cognitive Therapy Center and Schema Therapy Institute of New York (until the Institutes merged in 2012), where she trained and worked with Dr. Jeffrey Young since 1989. She is a founding fellow and consulting supervisor for The Academy of Cognitive Therapy (Aaron T. Beck’s Institute). Wendy served as the President of the Executive Board of the International Society of Schema Therapy (ISST) from 2010-2014 and served as the Training and Certification Coordinator for the ISST Executive Board from 2008-2010. She is currently the chair of the Schema Therapy Development Programs Sub-Committee for the ISST.
Wendy Behary has co-authored several chapters and articles on Schema Therapy and Cognitive Therapy. She is the author of an international bestselling book, “Disarming the Narcissist…” translated in 16 languages. The Third Edition was recently released and was selected by Oprah Daily as one of the top books on the subject of Narcissism. Wendy has a specialty in treating narcissists and the people who live with and deal with them. As an author and subject matter expert on narcissism, she is a contributing chapter author of several chapters on schema therapy for narcissism for professional readers. She lectures both nationally and internationally to professional and general audiences on schema therapy, narcissism, interpersonal relationships, anger, and dealing with difficult people. She receives consistent high praise for her clear and articulate teaching style and her ability to bring the therapy to life through dramatic demonstrations of client interactions in the treatment room.
Her work industry business speaking engagements focus on interpersonal conflict resolution. Her private practice is primarily devoted to treating narcissists, partners/people dealing with them, and couples experiencing relationship problems.Publications:
Behary, W. T., Farrell, J. M., Vaz, A., Rousmaniere, T., Deliberate Practice in Schema Therapy (Essentials of Deliberate Practice), American Psychological Association; 1st edition (February 28, 2023).
Heath, G., Startup, H., Schema Therapy: Advances and Innovation in Clinical Practice, Chapter Author, Behary, W., Empathic Confrontation and Limit Setting, Routledge Press, London, (2020).
Beck, A.T., Davis D., and Freeman, A., Third Edition, Cognitive Therapy of Personality Disorders, Chapter Author, Behary, W., and Davis, D., Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Guilford Press (October 2014).
Behary, W., Disarming the Narcissist…, New Harbinger Publications (Third Edition, October 1, 2021).
Behary, W., Article: “Challenging the Narcissist, How to Find Pathways to Empathy”, Psychotherapy Networker, (July/August 2013).
Ogrodniczuk, J., Treating Pathological Narcissism, Chapter Author, Behary, W., The Art of Adaptive Re-Parenting in the Treatment of Narcissism, APA Publications, (2013).
Van Vreeswijk, M., The Handbook of Schema Therapy, Chapter Author, Behary, W., Schema Therapy for Narcissism, Wiley Publications, (2012).
Campbell, W.K., and Miller, J.D., The Handbook of Narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Chapter Author, Schema Therapy for Narcissism, Wiley Publications, (2011).
Dieckmann, E., and Behary, W., Journal Article: German Publication: Schematherapie: Ein Ansatz zur Behandlung narzisstischer Persönlichkeitsstörungen, Translation: Pattern Therapy: A Beginning for the Treatment of Narcissistic Personality Disturbances, 2010.
Behary, W., Article: The Way to Say It… Taking on Some of the Most Challenging Moments in the Treatment Room, In Consultation, Psychotherapy Networker, May/June 2010
Behary, W., Disarming The Narcissist…Surviving and Thriving With The Self- Absorbed, New Harbinger Publications, (First Edition, 2008).
Behary, W., Article: The Art of Empathic Confrontation, Case Studies, The Psychotherapy Networker, (March/April edition, 2008).
Shapiro, F., EMDR, An Integrative Psychotherapy Approach, Chapter Author, Zangwill, W., Young, J., and Behary, W., Integrating Schema Therapy with EMDR, American Psychological Association, (2002).
Tarrier, Wells, and Haddock, Treating Complex Cases, Chapter Author, Young, J., and Behary, W., Schema Focused Therapy for Personality Disorders, Wiley Series in Clinical Psychology, (1998).
Joan FarrellClick for moreDr. Joan Farrell, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, researcher, and trainer, widely recognized for her pioneering contributions to Group Schema Therapy (GST). She co-developed the GST model alongside Ida Shaw, and their collaborative work has significantly expanded the accessibility and effectiveness of Schema Therapy, especially for complex and treatment-resistant conditions.
Joan served as Research Director for the Center for Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment and Research at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis and as a clinical professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine for 25 years. She has led or contributed to numerous randomized controlled trials supporting the efficacy of Schema Therapy. Her research has helped establish Schema Therapy as an evidence-based treatment for borderline personality disorder and other complex mental health conditions.
A founding member and certified supervisor/trainer in individual and group ST with the International Society of Schema Therapy (ISST), Joan has played a crucial role in global training initiatives, particularly in training therapists to deliver Schema Therapy in group formats. She is co-director of the Schema Therapy Institute – Cleveland and served as Training & Certification Coordinator on the ISST Executive Board 2012-2018. She has written four books on ST: Group Schema Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder: A Step-by-Step Treatment Manual, The Schema Therapy Clinician’s Guide, Experiencing ST from the Inside Out: A Self-Practice-Self-Reflection Workbook for Therapists, and The Deliberate Practice of Schema Therapy, which are widely used in clinical settings and training programs.
