Schema Therapy for Eating Disorders l Online On-Demand Training l Schema Therapy Scotland

Schema Therapy Scotland is pleased to introduce the first 7-module online training course on Schema Therapy for Eating Disorders. This training can be completed at your own time and pace, with access to the material for 12 weeks from the course start date. Two live zoom Q & A sessions are also scheduled midway during the program.

Schema Therapy is an innovative transdiagnostic treatment model that is ideally suited to
the treatment of eating disorders, and is well equipped to address the rigidly held belief
systems, characterological traits, affective instability, trauma-based symptomatology and
comorbidities that have been shown to interfere with clinical outcomes in eating disorders
(Kelland, 2015; Segura-Garcia et al., 2013; Wilson et al., 2007).
Schema Therapy has demonstrated promising preliminary findings for eating disorders
(Simpson et al., 2010; Simpson & Slowey, 2011), including one randomised controlled trial
(McIntosh et al., 2016). Further, robust RCT evidence indicates its effectiveness in the
treatment of disorders that are frequently comorbid with eating disorders, and which
appear to interfere with the effectiveness of first-line treatments, including borderline,
cluster c, and narcissistic PDs, chronic depression, and complex trauma (for reviews of the
evidence see: Bakos et al., 2015; Hawke & Provencher, 2011; Hopwood & Thomas, 2014; Jacob & Arntz, 2013; Masley et al., 2012; Pugh, 2015; Roediger & Zarbock, 2015; Sempertegui et al., 2013; Taylor et al., 2017).

The workshop will provide therapists with an opportunity to learn powerful techniques for
working with eating disorders, including those with entrenched beliefs, high complexity and
comorbidity (e.g. OCD, rigid personality traits, PTSD). Anyone interested in learning to apply
the schema therapy mode work to assist people with eating disorders would benefit from
this workshop. The workshop will provide participants with practical experience and
guidance in the use of innovative versions of imagery, chair work and other techniques for
change. Videos and demonstrations will be used to illustrate experiential change
techniques. Training will specifically include working with vulnerable [child] modes, limited
reparenting skills, bypassing avoidant or overcompensatory coping modes, and fighting
punitive (self-critical) or guilt inducing thinking patterns that drive eating disorder
behaviours. Participants will receive handouts that they can use in their clinical work.

Participants will learn:

 Methods to formulate complex eating disorder thoughts, behaviours, urges, &
comorbid disorders using schema ‘modes’
 Imagery & chair-work to set limits on self-defeating ’inner critic’ modes
 Techniques for recognising & working with common coping modes in Eating Disorders
including: Flagellating & Invincible Overcontroller modes, Pollyanna mode and Helpless Surrenderer mode
 Empathic confrontation & chair-work to bypass strong coping modes, especially the
‘Overcontroller’ and Helpless Surrenderer modes
 Techniques for working with clients who are reluctant to participate in experiential work & to connect with emotions and enhance healing.
 Methods for strengthening the client’s Healthy Adult mode in treatment.
 The latest evidence-base for Schema Therapy with Eating Disorders

About the presenter:
Dr. Susan Simpson is a Clinical Psychologist and director of Schema Therapy Scotland. Susan  works with patients with severe and complex eating disorders in an NHS Scotland outpatient eating disorders service. Susan has over 20 years of experience using Schema Therapy with complex comorbidity, including eating disorders, OCD, personality disorders and PTSD . She has published several book chapters and journal articles on schema therapy, with a particular focus on the eating disorder population. In addition, she has presented at national and international eating disorders conferences and has provided several workshops on Schema Therapy for Eating Disorders across Europe & Australasia. She is co-author of the  book ‘Schema Therapy for Eating Disorders’, Routledge, 2020. A full list of her publications can be found at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Susan_Simpson/publications

To register for this and other ‘at your own pace’ online training courses, please visit: 

https://schematherapyaustraliaonline.teachable.com/

For enquiries please contact the organiser at info@schematherapyscotland.com