Certification in Group Schema Therapy

ISST-Oriented Training Program

The certification program in Group Schema Therapy at Schema Therapy Group Lab is designed in accordance with the training standards of the International Society of Schema Therapy (ISST). It provides structured, comprehensive training for mental health professionals who wish to develop advanced competence in delivering Schema Therapy in group settings.

The program combines theoretical foundations, experiential learning, clinical practice, and supervised training. Particular emphasis is placed on the integration of cognitive, experiential, behavioral, and relational interventions within group processes.

The training follows a stepwise structure (Standard Level and Advanced Level) and includes didactic teaching, experiential exercises, role-play, case conceptualization, and supervision components. Participants are required to actively engage in experiential learning and demonstrate the integration of Schema Therapy principles into their clinical practice.

Upon completion of the required training hours and supervision requirements, participants may be eligible for ISST certification in Group Schema Therapy.

For more information about ISST certification requirements in Group Schema Therapy, please visit:
International Society of Schema Therapy – Group Certification

Requirements

Eligibility for the ISST Group Schema Therapy certification pathway is subject to the applicable ISST entry requirements, taking into account the relevant professional requirements in the participant’s country of practice.

Standard Level

This level is open to candidates eligible for ISST certification and also to those in related mental health professions who are able to practice Schema Therapy with supervision. This category would allow (1) practice as a co-therapist in a Schema Therapy Group with an Advanced Level certified group therapist or under the supervision of a Group Schema Therapy certified supervisor and allow them to (2) act as lead facilitators in groups being offered within their professional discipline that are consistent with the goals and strategies of Schema Therapy (e.g., an art therapist leading an art therapy group in the Schema Therapy model). During the training process applicants may deliver Group Schema Therapy with supervision by a Group Schema Therapy certified supervisor.

(1) A minimum of 12 hours of introduction to Schema Therapy basic concepts. Those with Standard Level certification in individual Schema Therapy are given credit for meeting this requirement.

(2) Complete an ISST approved training program in Group Schema Therapy. This program consists of 18 a minimum of 24 hours of training in Schema Therapy focused on application to groups:

a. 12 hours didactic (theory, interventions, limited reparenting, core components of Group Schema Therapy).

b. 12 hours dyadic/role-play training (6 hours must be self therapy in a group).

(3) 20 hours of supervision in Group Schema Therapy by an ISST certified Group Schema Therapy supervisor.

(4) Competency evaluation: 1 videotaped group session that achieves a score of 4.0 (1 to 6 scale) on the Group Schema Therapy Competency Rating Scale (GSTCRS). The session to be rated must be a minimum of 90 minutes. The video recording must be accompanied by the group version of Schema Therapy case conceptualization for each group member and a session summary.

(5) Practice of Schema Therapy: minimum of 20 group Schema Therapy sessions (30 hours of treatment).

(6) As a group case conceptualization, the Problem Analysis Form (Farrell & Shaw, 2012) for each group member in the rated recording must be submitted.

Advanced Level

After you have completed a Standard Level Group Schema Therapy training program.

(1) Completion of the minimum of 18 hours of Advanced Level training in Group Schema Therapy.

(2) Complete a minimum of 40 hours of supervision in Group Schema Therapy (20 for Standard Level plus 20 additional hours). 

(3) Competence evaluation: 2 videotaped sessions of 2 different groups must achieve scores of at least 4.5. Rated by two different ISST certified supervisors level in Group Schema Therapy independent raters.

(4) As a group case conceptualization, the Problem Analysis Form (Farrell & Shaw, 2012) for each group member in the rated recording must be submitted.

(5) Practice: conduct a minimum of over 40 group sessions over 2 groups.