Body-Focused Schema Therapy

In this introductory session, Dr. Raymond DiGiuseppe explains the foundations of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), a model developed by Albert Ellis and the Albert Ellis Institute. He outlines how REBT evolved alongside cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), integrating psychoeducation, emotive techniques, and Socratic dialogue. Core philosophical and psychological concepts—such as demandingness, self-evaluation, and the distinction between healthy and unhealthy negative emotions—are discussed. The influence of modern stoicism in psychotherapy is also explored, providing a contemporary context for REBT’s enduring relevance.

Laura works with Dr. DiGiuseppe on issues related to self-identity, self-worth, and the impact of early life experiences on current anxiety. Through REBT techniques, they examine irrational beliefs and social avoidance patterns. This session highlights the importance of challenging internalized demands, building a rational self-view, and practicing behavioral experiments to support change—all key aspects of applying REBT in clinical practice.

In this follow-up session with Laura, the focus shifts to workplace anxiety and avoidance driven by feelings of inadequacy. Dr. DiGiuseppe helps her identify irrational beliefs, affirm her professional competence, and apply visualization techniques to prepare for challenging situations. The session emphasizes the practice of self-acceptance and the development of self-affirming beliefs to reduce performance anxiety and promote growth.

Thomas explores a need to dominate conversations, stemming from fear of criticism and a belief in winning as a form of self-validation. Together with Dr. DiGiuseppe, he examines how this mindset fuels anxiety and hinders authentic connection. The session models how to foster openness to feedback, increase self-awareness, and embrace imperfection as a path toward improved communication and healthier relationships.

This session delves into Thomas’s struggles with perfectionism at home, where minor mistakes provoke disproportionate shame and anxiety. Dr. DiGiuseppe guides him through identifying underlying irrational beliefs, understanding emotional triggers, and learning to tolerate imperfection. The conversation also addresses the challenge of balancing professional and personal roles, emphasizing the importance of self-compassion, realistic expectations, and emotional insight.

Anne Hilde explains the essence of Emotion Focused Skills Training for Parents in just 5 minutes.

In this lecture, Anne Hilde provides an overview of EFT skills training for parents, sharing a very personal story to illustrate how it works.

Anne Hilde guides Judith in exploring her emotions and her 13-year-old daughter's anger and rejection in a specific situation. This fosters greater compassion for both her child and herself, empowering her to practice the skill of validation.

In this session, Judith and Ben struggle with setting boundaries for their youngest child. Using the chair technique, Anne Hilde guides them in establishing healthy, flexible limits.

In this session, Judith and Ben discuss a traumatic family event where their eldest daughter (13) was deeply affected. Through chair work and apology, Anne Hilde helps them become a healing influence in their daughter's life.

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.

The session includes exploration of barriers (coping modes) to the Young One (Vulnerable Child mode), leading to a rapid shift to (or breaking into) a vigorous, life-filled Healthy Adult state full of vitality and feeling of expansiveness. Topics of grounding, co-regulation and object permanence are touched upon in the session.

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.

The session demonstrates the process of conceptualising client’s difficulties managing anxiety as the Demanding/Blaming Critic mode that is squashing the Vulnerable Child mode, moderated by the Catastrophizer coping mode. The chair work leads to an in-depth understanding and softening of the Demanding Critic, ability to somatically soothe the Vulnerable Child mode and the appearance of the Playful Child mode and the importance of self-compassion.

In this session a somatic sense of boundaries is explored through movement between the client and therapist. Movement towards each other allows the client to tap into the sense of their ’no’ or ’stop’ , as well as ‘yes’ in the body. As part of the exercise feelings about boundaries being set by the therapist are explored, and repair of mini-rupture in the therapeutic relationship is demonstrated.

In this fourth and final session, Elisabeth goes through the trauma once more with Willemijn to ensure she has understood everything correctly and to see if there are any missing points or adjustments needed. "Going through the movie one more time," as Elisabeth puts it.

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).

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 the opening session, Patricia discusses the previous Zoom conversation, in which the patient shares his experiences about his time in the military and his abduction. She particularly focuses on one of his most impactful traumas, delving deeper into it. Additionally, Patricia Resick provides the patient with a detailed explanation of what CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy) entails and how it can help him manage his trauma.

During this session, prof. dr. Ad de Jongh gives you more insight into his choices as a therapist, illustrated by a selection of clips showing important tipping points in the therapy sessions with Lisanne.

In this 15th session it emerges that Anne has had a "breach of contract" and that she has been drinking too much (again). As agreed, Anne brings this up at the beginning of the session, downplaying her behavior. Nel then looks along with Anne and goes into detail about the feelings Anne had prior to the drinking. Here she uses different TFP interventions: clarification (asking for clarification), confrontation (offering contradictory statements at the same time and asking how Anne reconciles this) and if possible interpretation (connecting the 'pluses' and 'minuses').

In this 10th session of therapy, Richard is angry with his therapist, but doesn't show it immediately. Quin shows how he handles this anger and uses it in therapy. Richard can't imagine Quin taking his criticism seriously.

In this 50th session of therapy, Quin and Richard discuss the end of therapy. What has Richard achieved and how can he use everything he learned in AFT in the future? What is it like for Richard to let go of the emotional connection with his therapist? Can he take an inner image of Quin with him?

During the sixth session, a Zoom conversation takes place in which they follow the ABC model. "B" represents the sticking point they want to work on. The ABC model is a cognitive behavioral therapy technique that helps to understand the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. With the help of the ABC model, patients and therapists can together identify negative thought patterns and replace them with healthier, more realistic thoughts.

The session demonstrates working with chair distance and using the space in the room, accessing embodied Healthy Adult state as a precursor to inviting the Young One (Vulnerable Child mode) into the room. Movement, voice and verbal experiments are used to enhance the connection between the client and the therapist, as well as Ines’ Healthy Adult state and her Vulnerable Child mode. The session also demonstrates a way to deal with modes that interfere in the work with the Vulnerable Child mode, as well as the use of somatic flashcards.

In this introductory session, Dr. Raymond DiGiuseppe explains the foundations of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), a model developed by Albert Ellis and the Albert Ellis Institute. He outlines how REBT evolved alongside cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), integrating psychoeducation, emotive techniques, and Socratic dialogue. Core philosophical and psychological concepts—such as demandingness, self-evaluation, and the distinction between healthy and unhealthy negative emotions—are discussed. The influence of modern stoicism in psychotherapy is also explored, providing a contemporary context for REBT’s enduring relevance.

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, 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 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.

With Arjan Videler

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

This presentation examines the complex relationship between addiction and criminal law, particularly focusing on culpability in cases of intoxication. It discusses how various jurisdictions handle prior fault rules and the challenges faced by defendants with mental disorders or substance use issues. The role of behavioral experts is highlighted, emphasizing their impact on judicial decisions regarding addiction and culpability.

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, David treats Jerry, an inmate recently involved in a violent incident. He uses modes and mode cards to reflect with Jerry on what happened and explore his behavior.

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.

This e-learning is based on a webinar by prof. dr. Patrick Luyten. Patrick goes deeper into online psychodynamic psychotherapy and in particular Dynamic Interpersonal psychotherapy (DIT). Extensive theory and demonstration are included.

In this role-play, Josette ten Have works with the patient to uncover the emotional neglect she experienced in her past and helps her get in touch with the painful emotions this caused in her.

In this first session between Frank Yeomans and Indie, Frank explains what personality disorder is and how it may be related to Indie's depression, and how he experiences problems in multiple areas of life: 1. emotionally (fluctuating emotions), 2. relationships (intense relationships), 3. behavior (drug use, promiscuity), 4. confusion about one's own identity

After undergoing two months of therapy, a crucial session unfolds where the patient's emotions flare up, directed at the therapist. The catalyst for this outburst is the news of Frank's upcoming two-week absence, during which another therapist will be taking over. Throughout the session, Frank adeptly handles the patient's anger and unravels the underlying issue—the deep-seated fear of abandonment. Superficial reassurances prove ineffective in addressing this profound concern.

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, 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 webinar prof. dr. Wim Veling en Louis Zantema provide insight into teatment of pain disorders and stress using virtual reality. Supporting research is discussed and as well as the appliction of VR.

In this series, you will learn about the existing and future clinical applications of VR. In this second masterclass, Skip Rizzo will show us ways in which virtual reality can be used as part of PTSD treatment. He will also show ways in which VR can help patients suffering from chronic pain.

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.

With Joy Oonk

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.

During the Grief Tapes, we focus on recognizing and treating grief. In this studio series, Prof. Paul Boelen explains what prolonged grief means and what reactions grief can cause.

In addition to an introduction to the mode model and the application of schema therapy, Prof. Dr. Rafaële Huntjens presents the various experts who will speak in this series. She gives you a glimpse of what you can expect in the upcoming episodes.

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

In this fourth session of the BEPP series, prof. dr. Berthold Gersons shows in a role-play how giving meaning has an important role within BEPP. He also shows how to bring this up during a session with a client.

In this third session of the Trauma Tapes, Ruud Jongedijk guides Victoria through a narrative exposure. Victoria tells about a traumatic experience of abuse by her father (a stone in her lifeline). Then she tells about her liberation (a flower), releasing a lot of emotion. Her grandmother turned out to be a very important source of support in her life. -Dutch with English subtitles-

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 tenth and final session of the Trauma Tapes, Prof. Berthold Gersons guides Victoria through a BEPP session focused on meaning-making. -Dutch with English subtitles-

In this director's cut, Prof. Dr. Berthold Gersons looks back on his BEPP sessions with Hans and Victoria. He places the traumas of both in a broader life story, giving meaning to the traumas within the patients' life course. He zooms in on both patients' first traumatic experience that forms a kink in the life line and is accompanied by grief.

In this fourth session, Ad first briefly goes through the traumatic memories with Lisanne, to see what the current SUD scores are. From fierce arguments to abuse, every traumatic memory is dealt with and by the end Lisanne is able to convincingly say: “I can handle it” and “I'm worth it”.

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

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

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

In this demonstration Haim Weinberg en Bram van der Boom provide insight into online psychodinamic group therapy. The course of the group dynamics is illustrated as well as how to adequately intervene online using imagination, and by specifically pointing out patients' facial and other non-verbal expressions. Adequate handling of technical difficulties during group session is addressed as well as a clear example of online co-therapist cooperation (min. 17-18).

In this demonstration prof. dr. Wim Veling introduces nature sceneries through virtual reality, aimed to help a client fully relax.

A patient confronts social phobia through a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and virtual reality. He shares his anxiety about social situations, especially when pressured to drink. During a role play, he practices refusing a beer, monitoring his anxiety levels. Afterward, he reflects on the experience's realism and intensity. The session highlights the effectiveness of virtual reality in therapy and the need to tackle underlying anxieties.

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

Prof. dr. Donald Baucom has been doing research into relationships and couples therapy for years. Speaking from his rich and extensive experience, he explains how to make a standard CBT treatment even more effective by having the clients' partner be actively involved in the therapy. It's not necessary to be a couples therapist to apply these techniques. Donald ends the webinar with a roleplay, in which he demonstrates how to include the help of a clients' partner in the treatment.

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.

In this role play Erik meets Rebekka. Rebekka has probable Korsakoff's syndrome. Erik displays an anamnesis.

In this session, Juliette explores the concept of unfinished business using the empty chair technique. This approach addresses unresolved emotions towards someone else, focusing on an unmet need that continues to persist. It highlights issues that are both longstanding and currently relevant.

Amy demonstrates how to create an accurate case conceptualization for patients with psychosis and posttraumatic stress according to CBT principles, and how to develop a tailored treatment plan.

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 introductory session, Dr. Raymond DiGiuseppe explains the foundations of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), a model developed by Albert Ellis and the Albert Ellis Institute. He outlines how REBT evolved alongside cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), integrating psychoeducation, emotive techniques, and Socratic dialogue. Core philosophical and psychological concepts—such as demandingness, self-evaluation, and the distinction between healthy and unhealthy negative emotions—are discussed. The influence of modern stoicism in psychotherapy is also explored, providing a contemporary context for REBT’s enduring relevance.

In this roleplay, Limor Navot en prof. dr. David Bernstein demonstrate how to deal with the self-aggrandizer modus and agression as part of a narcisistic personality disorder using schematherapeutic techniques.

This roleplay demonstrates how to conclude psychodynamic psychotherapy using a therapeutic letter from the therapist addressed to the client. The most important aspects of a therapeutic letter are discussed.

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 role-play, Josette ten Have works with the patient to uncover the emotional neglect she experienced in her past and helps her get in touch with the painful emotions this caused in her.

The cumulatieve probability technique is an effective intervention when the client overestimates the probability of a catastrophic event from occurring. With this technique, you help the client to make probability estimates of different possible events.

In this first session of an online demonstration group, the group had to deal with a rare event of rejecting one of its members, who seemed not to understand enough English. The impact of this event accompanied the group life until the end and had to be elaborated and processed on different levels. It also brings to the fore issues of selection and preparation to therapy groups, especially online ones. The long-term impact showed as one of the group members, quite later in the 1st session, suddenly recalled her being rejected from a group in her past. She was surprised about her strong emotional reaction. This incident exemplifies the regressive processes of the unstructured group, which allow deep issues to surface. It also shows how the online group can be no less powerful than an in-person one in touching deep and emotional issues. We can also see the specific instructions that Dr. Weinberg gave at the beginning of the process group, adjusted to the online component by focusing on reporting body sensations.

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.

Lauren Aron, a psychotherapist specializing in eating disorders, discusses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and its application in treating conditions like anorexia nervosa. She shares insights on dietary guidance, emphasizing portion control and meal frequency. The session includes a case study and highlights the importance of psychoeducation, addressing body image issues, and developing long-term recovery strategies. Safety in therapy and the need for structured treatment plans are also emphasized.

This e-learning is based on a webinar by prof. dr. Sue Johnson and Karin Wagenaar. During this e-learning, you will learn more about guiding Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) in an online setting. The speakers will give a solid foundation of theory and practical examples which you can use in your own therapy.

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.

In this third phase of the Tango, the therapist adopts a less directive, more supportive role. Dr. Leanne Campbell assists Nina in consolidating her insights and celebrates the progress she has made. The goal is to guide Nina in embracing her growth and firmly anchoring the positive changes so that she can carry them into her daily life.

In this session, Dr. Leanne Campbell delves deeper into the third phase of the Tango, emphasizing the importance of dealing with grief and loss in the context of trauma. She discusses how these themes are approached in EFIT and highlights how growth is an ongoing process. Nina is encouraged not only to process her loss but also to embrace the journey toward personal development and resilience, which are central to EFIT.

Emotionally focused family therapy (EFT) strengthens family relationships by enhancing attachment between parents and children. It follows three stages: increasing parental responsiveness, helping children express vulnerability, and consolidating changes. The EFT Tango, a structured method, guides therapists in processing emotions and initiating new conversations. Emotions play a key role in communication, highlighting the importance of parents expressing their feelings to support their children effectively.

Gail Palmer sits down with families to explore the complexities of their relationships. Conversations touch on bringing family members closer, parental hopes for their children, and the role of trust and communication. Language preferences and emotional expression are discussed, while children share their feelings of connection and parents reflect on their involvement. Through shared experiences and suggested family activities, the importance of quality time and a supportive environment becomes clear, fostering stronger bonds and a sense of security.

A family shares their experiences in therapy, addressing issues like depression and video game addiction. Gail Palmer explores the parents' relationship and attachment history, while family members express their feelings about dynamics, emphasizing fun and fairness. They discuss communication challenges and the need for emotional support. The therapy aims to foster understanding, improve relationships, and create a supportive environment for open discussions about emotions.