About
Program Overview
The Schema Therapy Centre of NSW will consider applicants who are interested in meeting all the requirements for official ISST certification for ST with individuals at both standard and advanced levels.
Training however is not excluded to those who would like to learn more about Schema Therapy and are interested in training and supervision but not certification at the standard or advanced level. Trainees are able to consider all training options and costs and tailor training to their individual needs.
The Centre is linked to other training institutes and so provides access to training workshops all over Australia.
Official training is six days in total consisting of two three day workshops. The first three day workshop titled “Schema Therapy for Complex Cases: the basics” is 21 hours in total and includes both didactic and dyadic elements. The second workshops (which requires the first as a requisite) is titled “Schema Therapy for Complex Cases: beyond the basics” is also three days in duration, equating to a total of 21 hours (again including the required didactic and dyadic prerequisites). Additional options to professional development that may or may not be a part of the certification process includes weekly or fortnightly supervision via Zoom or in person.
The Training and Certification Program in Schema Therapy is offered to individuals who have a background in mental health Registered psychologists with a minimum of 3 years of clinical experience and social workers who are accredited mental health workers and also accredited clinical social workers with a minimum of 3 years clinical experience are eligible for standard certification. Those with post–graduate training at masters or doctorate level are eligible for advanced accreditation.
Benefits of Certification
For applicants who are interested in receiving International Society of Schema Therapy (ISST) Certification, there are a variety of benefits. Certified Schema Therapists will maintain membership with the ISST, where they are distinguished from non-certified members for their competence in treating patients and for their eligibility to participate in research projects utilising schema therapy. Certification enables the following:
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You may represent yourself as a Certified Schema Therapist with patients and other professionals this can also be advertised in brochures and marketing material.
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Advanced level certification allows you to provide supervision for ST certification and apply to provide a certification training program in ST, so long as you adhere to all training, certification and post-certification criteria set by ISST.
You may advertise yourself on the ISST referral network (providing all membership fees are paid annually and requirement for ongoing education is adhered to). With your consent the ISST website will host your details and advertise you as a certified schema therapist which will allow for referrals and other professional opportunities
Key Components and Requirements for the Training program for both standard and advanced certification.
Please note for certification purposes formal workshops must include the following Didactic and Dyadic hours in total:
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Total Didactic: 25 hours for Basic & Advanced Certification.
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Total Dyadic (role plays): 15 hours for Basic & Standard Certification.
Please note self-therapy is also recommended and 3 hours of personal therapy are counted towards certification.
Standard Certification Supervision Requirements
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20 hours weekly or fortnightly ( + 1 tape ratings)
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Supervision sessions must continue for at least one-two years on a weekly or bi-weekly basis to qualify for ISST Certification.
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Tape submitted every 6-8 supervision sessions
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1 tape, accompanied by a case conceptualisation and session summary, to be rated by an independent advanced schema therapist and trainer at the completion of the 20 hours of supervision; minimum score for standard level competency is 4.0.
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Candidates for standard ISST certification must treat at least 2 patients for a minimum of 25 therapy hours each, utilizing primarily schema therapy.
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Minimum number of patient sessions is 80 for standard certification.
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Therapists at this level are certified to practice Schema Therapy, participate in outcome studies, and to train and supervise other therapists at a basic level ONLY with the supervision of an Advanced level Trainer- Supervisor within an approved training program. They are not qualified to run a training program, rate sessions, offer supervision on difficult cases or provide supervision that qualifies toward certification hours.
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Certification is granted after an application is sent to the ISST for final approval.
Advanced Certification Supervision Requirements
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40 hours (+ 2 tape ratings)
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Tape submitted every 6-8 supervision sessions