Body-Focused Schema Therapy

In this Psyflix Masterclass, Professors Marleen Rijkeboer and Arnoud Arntz explore the latest developments in schema therapy theory and their practical implications for clinicians. Building on the foundation laid by Jeffrey Young, schema therapy has evolved into a dynamic approach that integrates cognitive behavioral techniques with elements from attachment theory, emotion-focused therapy, and psychodynamic principles. This masterclass delves into newly recognized core emotional needs, such as fairness, and how these shape therapeutic goals. The professors also examine the expansion of schema and mode categories, offering new ways to understand the inner worlds of clients. Special attention is given to the role of imagery in addressing complex emotions like aggression and perceptions of unfairness, as well as the influence of parental and child modes in the development of maladaptive schemas.

In this first part of the masterclass, Dr. Patricia Resick introduces Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)—a structured, evidence-based treatment for PTSD. CPT can be delivered in both individual and group formats and has demonstrated effectiveness across a wide range of traumatic experiences. Backed by extensive research, it not only helps reduce PTSD symptoms but also improves overall well-being by addressing related issues such as guilt and anger. Recognized in major clinical guidelines, CPT is one of the most recommended treatments for trauma-related disorders.

In this second part of the masterclass, Dr. Patricia Resick dives into the key reasons why clients drop out of therapy. She explains what truly makes a difference—such as attending weekly sessions, completing practice assignments, and using Socratic dialogue to foster insight. She also clarifies why empathy alone isn’t enough, and how active patient engagement is essential for treatment success.

In this third part of the masterclass, Dr. Patricia Resick presents research comparing Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) with Prolonged Exposure therapy and a waitlist condition over a six-week program. Long-term follow-up revealed low relapse rates, with many participants continuing therapy for unrelated issues. Dr. Resick addresses common myths about PTSD, explains how complex PTSD differs—especially in the context of childhood sexual abuse—and shares findings that show strong symptom improvement across all therapies. She also highlights how CPT is especially effective for individuals with co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorders.

In this fourth part of the masterclass, Dr. Patricia Resick delves into the neuroscience and theory behind PTSD. Classified as an anxiety disorder, PTSD is closely linked to fear circuitry in the brain. Resick explains how neuroimaging has deepened our understanding of trauma, particularly the roles of the amygdala and prefrontal cortex in the fight-or-flight response. She explores different types of PTSD—including moral injury—and discusses how cognitive and exposure-based therapies target the underlying mechanisms of change. You'll also learn how conditioned stimuli can hinder recovery, and why cognition plays a central role in successful treatment.

In this fifth part of the masterclass, Dr. Patricia Resick explores PTSD as a complex condition influenced by a range of psychological and behavioral factors. She introduces the functional model of PTSD, which emphasizes the challenges of recovery and the importance of viewing symptoms beyond mere diagnostic criteria. Recovery is a gradual process, and research shows that typical trauma responses can develop into full-blown symptoms over time. Resick explains how avoidance behaviors and negative emotions can block recovery, and how therapy must directly address these barriers to be effective.

In this sixth part of the masterclass, Dr. Patricia Resick unpacks how cognitive theory helps us understand the way people process and organize experiences from early in life. She explains how beliefs like the “just world” assumption shape our expectations around fairness and consequences—and how trauma can disrupt these beliefs, leading to maladaptive thinking patterns. Emotions are explored not as obstacles, but as essential to healing, with a focus on the importance of experiencing and understanding them. Resick also introduces the concept of stuck points—rigid or distorted thoughts that interfere with therapy—and emphasizes how identifying and working through them is key to effective treatment.

In this seventh part of the masterclass, Dr. Patricia Resick introduces key updates from her new book on PTSD treatment, including insights on assessment, telehealth, and therapist preparation. She emphasizes the importance of identifying an index trauma and using validated assessment tools like the PHQ-9 and PCL-5 to track client progress. This session also explores pre-treatment considerations, such as preparing clients for therapy, setting up contracts, and introducing coping strategies. Therapists are encouraged to monitor not only their clients’ progress, but also their own reactions and challenges throughout the process. Resick presents a clear and structured approach to cognitive case conceptualization, helping clinicians better understand their clients and tailor interventions effectively.

In this eighth part of the masterclass, Dr. Patricia Resick explains how CPT sessions are carefully structured to optimize focus and therapeutic outcomes. Each session begins with reviewing symptom measures and homework assignments, often completed in the waiting room or at home before the session starts. To keep the focus on therapy, small talk is minimized, and therapists are encouraged to find creative solutions for clients who lack privacy at home. Resick discusses how to handle avoidance behaviors, adjust schedules when necessary, and maintain momentum.

Chris Lee shares his journey from Perth to Amsterdam and explores the integration of schema therapy with EMDR. He discusses memory mapping as a technique to help clients distance themselves from experiences and compares assessment phases in both therapies. Lee highlights the IRM study's findings on treating PTSD, showing significant improvements. He emphasizes the benefits of combining these therapies for better clinical outcomes.

The discussion highlights the journey of self-discovery and emotional healing. It covers the impact of a difficult childhood marked by abuse and emotional constriction. Alice & Chris Lee reflect on her struggles with expressing emotions and the lack of support from family. Therapeutic goals focus on emotional expression, with techniques like EMDR and schema therapy introduced to address these issues. Establishing positive beliefs and assessing progress in therapy are also emphasized.

This video explores Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), a therapeutic approach that views emotions as central to human experience. EFT helps clients become aware of, accept, and transform their emotions. The therapy combines following the client’s emotional process with guiding them through tasks like resolving unresolved feelings or self-criticism. By focusing on bodily responses and synthesizing emotions (e.g., turning shame into healthy anger), EFT fosters deep emotional change. The process is non-linear, emphasizing experiential over intellectual understanding, and aims to help clients transform core painful emotions.

In this video, Les Greenberg demonstrates Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) with Marcel, a patient who struggles with a pleasing attitude. Marcel discusses how he often stays quiet, especially around dominant individuals, and avoids expressing his true thoughts. In the first session, he also addresses his relationship with his mother, exploring its impact on his behavior. Throughout the session, Greenberg guides Marcel in unpacking these issues and shares key takeaways for therapists on how to approach similar dynamics in their own practice.

Masterclass 1: The development of EFT and relational empathy for deepening affect Rhonda Goldman is a renowned expert in the field of Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT). She has extensive experience in developing and teaching therapeutic approaches that focus on deepening affect and relational empathy. Her insights and knowledge will help us develop a deep understanding of EFT and the importance of empathy in therapy practice.

ADHD – often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and mistreated. This masterclass provides the latest updates on effective ADHD management. Prof. Cortese covers: - The evolution of ADHD medications and insights from clinical trials - Pharmacological vs. non-pharmacological treatments: what works (and what doesn’t) - The impact of parent training on treatment outcomes - How trauma influences ADHD symptoms

In the first therapy session, Dr. Elisabeth Kaiser meets patient Willemijn, who has been referred to her because she is struggling with mental health issues. During this initial session, Elisabeth gets to know Willemijn through a questionnaire to gain insight into her background and current emotional state. Elisabeth compares this process to visiting a general practitioner to identify the origins of specific symptoms. This is to find out where her trauma(s) are coming from.

Janis Briedis explores core emotional needs, schemas, and coping styles, highlighting the crucial role of the body in therapy—especially for trauma. He demonstrates techniques to interpret body signals, connect emotions with physical sensations, and integrate somatic awareness into treatment. With an emphasis on humor and playfulness, this approach helps clients access their healthy adult state and enhance self-care.

In this second session, Elisabeth starts by asking Willemijn how she feels after their first session to assess its impact on her. Following this, they begin to lay out Willemijn's lifeline. Symbols are used in the lifeline to describe situations, such as stones (unpleasant events), flowers (beautiful events), sticks (harm done to someone), and candles (loss of loved ones).

In this video, Sandra Kooij explores the future of ADHD treatments in adults, addressing new developments in the field.

In this roleplay, psychotherapist Remco van der Wijngaart demonstrates the chair excercise using three different chairs and client roles. He also shows how to do this technique online.

Masterclass 3: Markers and Tasks - Dealing with self-criticism, self-interruption, and unresolved issues. Psyflix presents the Person-Centered Experiential Therapy Masterclass Series: 'Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)' As a speaker and instructor, Imke Herrmann has conducted masterclasses and workshops worldwide, sharing her knowledge and expertise with other mental health professionals.

During the Grief Tapes we focus on recognizing and treating grief. In this studio series, you'll see how Prof. Dr. Paul Boelen treats a patient and how cognitive restructuring can help process her loss and reduce her feelings of guilt.

Ad and Lisanne review the memories they worked on in the previous sessions. The SUD of these memories have decreased remarkably. Next, they focus on the memories related to a negative self-image, such as the belief “I am not okay”. Together they can conclude positively with “I am self-aware”.

In this fourth therapy session, Steven is assisting patient Richard in cognitively restructuring one of his dysfunctional beliefs through a thought record and the Socratic dialogue.

This video explores Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), a therapeutic approach that views emotions as central to human experience. EFT helps clients become aware of, accept, and transform their emotions. The therapy combines following the client’s emotional process with guiding them through tasks like resolving unresolved feelings or self-criticism. By focusing on bodily responses and synthesizing emotions (e.g., turning shame into healthy anger), EFT fosters deep emotional change. The process is non-linear, emphasizing experiential over intellectual understanding, and aims to help clients transform core painful emotions.

Second session with Lisette – Lisette feels positive after the first session and shared it with her friends, who responded by expressing pride in her. This made her reflect, as she’s never really proud of herself and tends to see it as something ordinary. In this second session, she wants to explore with Les Greenberg how to feel pride in herself and celebrate her achievements without brushing it off as normal.

With Esther Haaijema, Wendy Weijts and Valentyna Parobii

On November 30 and December 7, Psyflix hosted 2 master classes given by experts Anneke Vinke and Dr. Julie Selwyn on the specific issues that can accompany adoption, how to recognize it and how to discuss/treat it. Adoption is a niche topic and these women make it accessible and tangible for us in the therapy room. This is part one of this wonderful series.

On November 30 and December 7, Psyflix hosted 2 master classes given by experts Anneke Vinke and Dr. Julie Selwyn (English) on the specific issues that can accompany adoption, how to recognize it and how to discuss/treat it. Adoption is a niche topic and these women make it accessible and tangible for us in the therapy room. This is part two of this wonderful series.

In this webinar prof. dr. Vikram Patel from Harvard University shares insight into the contribution of telehealth to global mental health through facilitating in the global dermand of psychotherapy.

Mental health challenges among adolescents in the UK, and many other countries, have surged over the past decade, with a particularly sharp rise among teenage girls. One factor that stands out is the rapid increase in social media usage, with currently 87% of UK teens aged 12-15 active on these platforms (Ofcom survey, 2022). While the debate on causation continues, numerous studies point to a significant link between social media use and mental health issues. Social media can offer community and connection, but it can also have a darker side. In this insightful masterclass, Dr Jon Goldin will delve into both the risks and benefits of social media on the mental health of young people. He will explore: - The potential detrimental effects of social media - The benefits of online social engagement - How to recognize the impact of social media on patients - Strategies to mitigate negative effects

In this introduction, David Bernstein and Limor Navot explain how forensic schema therapy was developed, how it works, the research supporting it, and how therapists apply it in practice.

In this roleplay, Limor Navot demonstrates chairwork with Richard (played by David Bernstein), a patient with narcissistic personality disorder and paranoid traits. She illustrates how to identify modes and integrate them through chairwork.

In this roleplay, David treats Jerry, an inmate who was recently involved in a violent incident. He uses empathic confrontation to help Jerry see that his conning manipulator mode works against him rather than helping him.

In this roleplay, Limor treats Jerry, an inmate recently transferred to a different clinic. She uses empathic confrontation to help him understand that his self-aggrandizer mode does not always work in his favor.

In this roleplay, Limor treats Jerry, an inmate who becomes angry with the therapist. She uses empathic confrontation and the stop technique to help him recognize that his bully and attack modes do not help him meet his needs.

Femke Jonker shares her expertise on recognizing and supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities. She highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis through IQ and adaptive functioning assessments, emphasizing the role of social and emotional functioning in treatment. The discussion explores tailored intervention strategies, providing valuable insights on ensuring individuals receive the appropriate care and support they need.

In this first webinar of the ISDTP series, José Verpoort explains what ISTDP is and how it developed from traditional psychodynamic therapy and how it was originally meant for patients with high psychological resistance. In a role play she shows how to identify anxiety symptoms with a patient during a first session.

In this fifth and final webinar of the ISTDP series, prof. dr. Allan Abbass talks about the two treatment formats that can be used within ISTDP, the scope of situations in which ISTDP can be applied effectively, and the evidence-base for the effectiveness of ISTDP.

In this role-play, José Verpoort works with a patient suffering from depression. José demonstrates how she deals with anxiety symptoms that show up in the patient during their first session together.

The final phase of therapy Indie now has a steady relationship with Martijn, experiences less separation anxiety. The focus in this session is on goodbyes: cat died last week, but Indie coped well. Together, Frank and Indie reflect on their progress.

In this roleplay session, therapist Sarah Walker explores techniques to block projection and regulate anxiety while working with a new client. Sarah knows only a few details about the patient: she is 35 years old and struggling with interpersonal issues, seeking help after both her boss and husband suggested therapy. But what does the patient think is the main issue? Watch as Sarah navigates these dynamics, helping to reveal underlying concerns while addressing projections and managing anxiety in real time.

In 2009, no one around me spoke about suicide; there was no support and no resources to help normalize my experience," she shares. This turning point inspired her to co-create peer support systems that continue to provide support and learning experiences for healthcare professionals. In this masterclass, she shares the '8 Truths About Suicide'—the result of years of experience, peer support, and in-depth research into patterns in suicide cases. This session is both an educational opportunity and a call to approach this critical topic with compassion and an open heart.

In this roleplay, Limor treats Jerry, an inmate who becomes angry with the therapist. She uses empathic confrontation and the stop technique to help him recognize that his bully and attack modes do not help him meet his needs.

In this demonstration, Elisabeth Kaiser shows how to guide a client through the imaginary exposure exercise using the flower. This exercise is aimed at having the client bring back a significant positive memory in vivid detail.

During the Grief Tapes we focus on recognizing and treating grief. In this studio series, you'll see how Prof. Dr. Paul Boelen treats a patient and how cognitive restructuring can help process her loss and reduce her feelings of guilt.

During the Grief Tapes, we focus on recognizing and treating grief. In this studio series, you will see how Prof. Dr. Paul Boelen treats a patient and how an imaginary conversation with her son can help her process her loss.

In this sixth session of the Trauma Tapes, watch Ruud Jongedijk guide his second session with NET exposure. In doing so, he first listens to her life story and traumatic experience -Dutch with English subtitles-

In this seventh session of the Trauma Tapes, Prof. Dr. Berthold Gersons zooms in on the emotion of grief and the first traumatic experience that forms the kink in Victoria's lifeline. Victoria came to her father in the Netherlands from Poland at a young age and was beaten with a belt while reading Dutch to him. -Dutch with English subtitles-

In this lecture expert on eating disorders Hermien Elgersma distinguishes normal variance in eating patterns from eating disorders, discusses different types of eating disorders, treatment interventions and important topic to address with the patient as well as common pitfalls that accompany this treatment.

In this video, Sandra Kooij explains the diagnostic assessment of ADHD in adults using the DIVA 5 (Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults). She covers the history of the DIVA, the setup of the interview, and how to present it to patients. Additionally, she delves into the structure of the interview, provides sample questions, and shares key insights to ensure a smooth and informative diagnostic process.

In this second session of the BEPP series, prof. dr. Berthold Gersons shows how to guide a patient through an imaginal exposure.

In this third session of the BEPP series, prof. dr. Berthold Gersons shows how to use writing and memorable objects in BEPP therapy, the help a patient process their trauma.

During this second session, Laurian and Lisanne go deeper into the traumatic memories and images. Central to these memories is a sense of of powerlessness. The SUD decreases gradually, and by the end of the session Lisanne is even able to say: "I can handle it".

After a full week of healing sessions, Ad and Lisanne sit down together for the 10th session. With a short review of all Lisanne has accomplished so far and memories that are recalled during this session, Lisanne notices that a great awareness has arisen. She comes into her own strength and discovers her self-confidence.

In the second session, Katy tells Pnin that they won't delve fully into the details of the traumas he has experienced just yet, and instead, they will first outline a complete lifeline of his entire life. Symbols are used in the lifeline to describe situations, such as stones (unpleasant events), flowers (beautiful events), sticks (harm done to someone), and candles (loss of loved ones).

In this fourth and final session, Katy first asks how Pnin is feeling after revisiting and going through his heavy "stone." After a brief evaluation, Katy suggests retelling his story from her perspective and whether the insights Pnin gained from the previous session resurface.

In this masterclass, Skip Rizzo shows different ways in which virtual reality (VR) can be used in mental healthcare. He shows us this with examples from virtual reality applications and interventions.

ISTDP stands for Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy. The essence of ISTDP is about gaining insight into and experiencing emotions, desires and needs, the fears that are associated with experiencing these, and the defense mechanisms that are in place against these fears. Usually these originate from painful experiences in childhood related to insecure attachment and unsafe striving for autonomy. In this webinar, prof. dr. Allan Abbass will show us different applications of ISTDP with mild to complex personality dysfunction. Special attention is given to applying this short-term therapy in an online setting.

In this webinar, prof. dr. Geert van Hove, Kamiel Zijderveld, and Rianne Dekker tell us more about how to treat patients who have a mental disability. They explain how you can give this group of patients therapy in an online setting, and the important points to keep in mind when doing so.

In this webinar, dr. Tanja Su, Esther van Elswijk, and prof. dr. Anne Margriet Pot provide insight into online therapeutic treatment of elderly patients. Supporting research evidence is discussed as well as the challenges that accompany the online treatment of these patients, who are often less digitally apt than younger patients. In addition insight is provided into online diagnostic assessment and treatment of elderly individuals.

In this series, you will learn about the existing and future clinical applications of VR. In this first masterclass, Albert "Skip" Rizzo will explain what virtual reality is and how it can be used for therapeutic purposes. A number of previews from existing VR applications will be shown.

In this series, you will learn about the existing and future clinical applications of VR. In this third and last masterclass of the series, Skip Rizzo talks about how virtual reality can be used to reduce chronic pain, improve mindfulness, and how VR can be helpful in the diagnostic process of ADHD.

In this roleplay, prof. dr. Anthony Bateman demonstrates how to assist clients in the 'pretend mode' by tackling the low level of mentalisation.

This demonstration of online psychodynamic group therapy by Haim Weinberg en Bram van der Boom illustrates the course of the group dynamics. They also show how to adequately intervene through more extensive application of imagination and by specifically pointing out patients' facial expressions.

In this demonstration, Elisabeth Kaiser shows how to guide a client through the imaginary exposure exercise using the flower. This exercise is aimed at having the client bring back a significant positive memory in vivid detail.

In this demonstration dr. Suzanne Levy assists to convert initial treatment goals into applicable relationship goals for Attachment Based Family Treatment (ABFT).

In this roleplay Dr. Suzanne Levy shows how to discuss the attachment problems underlying behavioral problems of the adolescent. The roleplay involves a conversation between father, son and mother with the therapist in the lead.

In this video, Juliette provides you with a brief introduction to Emotion-Focused Therapy for individuals (EFT-I), followed by an insightful overview of five client sessions that address specific key issues within EFT.

In session 1 with Maartje, Maartje discusses her struggle to set boundaries and take care of herself. Each time she tries to prioritize her own needs, she becomes very emotional, with tears in her eyes and a lump in her throat. It's the small things that trigger her. Les Greenberg aims to explore the deeper meaning behind these emotions.

In this fourth part of the masterclass, Dr. Patricia Resick delves into the neuroscience and theory behind PTSD. Classified as an anxiety disorder, PTSD is closely linked to fear circuitry in the brain. Resick explains how neuroimaging has deepened our understanding of trauma, particularly the roles of the amygdala and prefrontal cortex in the fight-or-flight response. She explores different types of PTSD—including moral injury—and discusses how cognitive and exposure-based therapies target the underlying mechanisms of change. You'll also learn how conditioned stimuli can hinder recovery, and why cognition plays a central role in successful treatment.

In this sixth part of the masterclass, Dr. Patricia Resick unpacks how cognitive theory helps us understand the way people process and organize experiences from early in life. She explains how beliefs like the “just world” assumption shape our expectations around fairness and consequences—and how trauma can disrupt these beliefs, leading to maladaptive thinking patterns. Emotions are explored not as obstacles, but as essential to healing, with a focus on the importance of experiencing and understanding them. Resick also introduces the concept of stuck points—rigid or distorted thoughts that interfere with therapy—and emphasizes how identifying and working through them is key to effective treatment.

In this roleplay, prof. dr. Anthony Bateman demonstrates how to help clients feel at ease in an online MBT session.

This demonstration of online psychodynamic group therapy by Haim Weinberg en Bram van der Boom illustrates the course of the group dynamics. They also show how to adequately intervene through more extensive application of imagination and by specifically pointing out patients' facial expressions.

In this third session of the BEPP series, prof. dr. Berthold Gersons shows how to use writing and memorable objects in BEPP therapy, the help a patient process their trauma.

In this role-play, the patient, Mrs. Kuiper, makes it clear that she is concerned that her daughter might have severe mood swings. Esther Mesman explains the Prospective life chart and asks Mrs. Kuiper to keep track of daughter Sanne's various behavioral patterns.

In this role-play, Marcel van den Hout demonstrates how to set up a behavioral experiment with a client. The goal of this experiment is to test negatieve beliefs and expectations of the client, so that these can be disproven.

In this role-play, Prof. Dr. Claudi Bockting demonstrates the downward arrow technique. This technique can be used to trace the underlying beliefs of the client. Being able to find such beliefs is essential to be able to change them.

The second session of the online demonstration group is a classical 2nd stage of a group development, where group members explore their relationship with authority. It can become a crisis and it can push the group forward to a new stage. Dr. Weinberg demonstrates how to deal with this challenge, by opening a discussion about his mistake, acknowledging and taking responsibility. It led to exploration of relationships with parental figures and the importance of keeping one's boundaries. From the online perspective it demonstrates that the group developmental stages occur online as well.

With Pieternel Dijkstra, Aerjen Tamminga, and Bram van der Boom

In this roleplay Dr. Suzanne Levy shows how to discuss the attachment problems underlying behavioral problems of the adolescent. The roleplay involves a conversation between father, son and mother with the therapist in the lead.

How do you create a positive bond between yourself and your partner? In this video, the first two stages of EFT are explained and illustrated through a demonstration. Afterwards, Dr. Marlene Best and Dr. Sue Johnson discuss the therapy session with each other, so you can get some tips from it as well.

During this session you will learn more about Attachment Based Family Treatment (ABFT) and you will be provided with a lot of theory and practical examples in order to gain first-hand experience.

The Science of Sex in Long-Term Relationships In this talk, sex educator Emily Nagoski describes a transformative approach to “low desire.” Based on the most current science, this talk offers three actionable ideas for helping clients sustain (or rebuild!) a sexual connection in a long-term relationship by shifting focus from desire to pleasure and strategies to co-create it.

Embracing uncertainty in order to overcome despair: An experiential-existential point of view This keynote delves into the profound experience of certainty and its inevitable counterpart, uncertainty. When certainty dissolves, we often face existential crises—fear, despair, and isolation. As we confront global challenges like climate change, this uncertainty can feel overwhelming. But there is a paradoxical path to resilience: by deeply rooting ourselves in existence and embracing the uncertainties that threaten us, we can find new meaning, courage, and wisdom. Discover how connecting beyond ourselves can empower us to face the state of our world with bravery.

In this first session, Dr. Leanne Campbell engages in conversation with Gus, focusing on building a therapeutic relationship. Together, they explore his childhood, family situation, and the reasons that brought him to therapy. Gus is already undergoing therapy, and in this session, Leanne helps him clarify and deepen his focus and pacing in EFIT.

Discover key insights from Gail Palmer’s series on Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT): - Learn how to check in on emotions and address unspoken feelings. - Understand the impact of isolation and ways to foster closeness. - Explore how early experiences shape self-sufficiency and independence. - See how past experiences affect communication and collaboration. - Discover the role of openness in strengthening family bonds. - Identify and change unhealthy relational cycles to improve family dynamics.