Dr Otto Kernberg - The Series

Beyond food: understanding and treating eating disorders at their source with EMDR. In this webinar, Natalia Seijo, Clinical Psychologist, Psychotherapist, EMDR Europe trainer, and specialist in complex trauma, explores eating disorders beyond their behavioral aspects. Through her integrative approach, Natalia Seijo helps shed light on the hidden roots of eating disorders: • How to work beyond eating behaviors • Understanding the defense mechanisms that maintain the disorder • Exploring body image distortion

In this in-depth interview, Otto Kernberg reflects on how the DSM-5 conceptualizes the severity of personality disorders through disturbances in self-functioning and interpersonal relationships. He explores why narcissistic patients often struggle in therapy, particularly due to rigid self-perceptions and difficulties with dependency and vulnerability. Kernberg discusses contemporary treatment approaches that integrate cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic methods, with special attention to complex and chronic delusional patterns. Drawing on his background and early aspirations as a neurologist, he shares insights from psychiatry and underscores the lasting value of psychoanalytic training. The interview also touches on the personal and professional challenges therapists face when working with severe personality pathology, and the ongoing need for effective, well-founded treatments. Learning objectives: -Understand DSM-5’s dimensional view on personality disorder severity -Gain insight into therapeutic challenges with narcissistic patients -Explore integrative treatment approaches combining CBT and psychodynamic therapy -Reflect on the role of psychoanalytic training in modern psychiatry

In Understanding Healthy vs. Unhealthy Narcissism, Frank Yeomans demonstrates how healthy narcissistic traits support realistic self-esteem and genuine connection, whereas unhealthy narcissism can lead to isolation and relational blind spots. He highlights that the capacity for deep, reciprocal relationships is central to both assessment and treatment. Learning objectives - Recognize the distinction between healthy and unhealthy narcissistic features - Gain insight into how relational capacities support diagnostic understanding - Understand which dynamics emerge in therapy when partners express their dissatisfaction

Ad de Jongh presents the latest developments in EMDR therapy, explaining how working-memory taxation and targeted cognitive tasks reduce the emotional impact of traumatic memories. He also introduces innovative applications such as Blind-to-Therapist EMDR and the Flash-Forward protocol, supported by promising long-term results, even in clients with psychosis. Learning objectives - Understand how working-memory taxation enhances EMDR effectiveness - Learn how cognitive tasks support trauma processing - Get acquainted with Blind-to-Therapist EMDR - Understand the use of the Flash-Forward protocol - Gain insight into recent findings, including EMDR for psychosis

In this masterclass, Roberto Lewis-Fernández demonstrates how the Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) brings culture back into focus within the therapy room. He explores how stories of suffering are always embedded in family, history, community, and faith — and how understanding those layers deepens the therapeutic relationship. Learning objectives: - Gain insight into the theoretical background and structure of the Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) - Learn how cultural meaning influences clinical judgment and the therapeutic relationship - Recognize how to apply cultural formulation in assessment and clinical dialogue - Develop greater cultural sensitivity in listening to and interpreting patients’ experiences

In this video, Dickon Bevington introduces the concept of mentalizing and explains why a mentalizing stance is essential in mental health care. He discusses the AMBIT model, with particular attention to iterative learning and the complex challenges professionals face in their work. Dickon highlights the importance of understanding clients’ perspectives, as well as the impact of professional shame on the therapeutic process. In addition, he emphasizes how crucial teamwork is and how therapeutic practices can be adapted to individual needs, with specific attention to people on the autism spectrum.

Imagery Rescripting is a powerful therapeutic method for transforming the emotional meaning of traumatic memories. In this roleplay, a client recalls a painful childhood scene involving an intimidating stepfather. Under the therapist’s guidance, she re-enters the memory to face and change what once felt overwhelming. Through rescripting, the therapist offers support and compassion to the child version of the client, helping her reclaim control and rewrite her inner story. The session illustrates how imagery can bring healing to unresolved emotions and unmet needs from early life. Learning objectives: - Understand the key steps and rationale of Imagery Rescripting in Schema Therapy. - Observe how the therapist guides the client through confronting and transforming a traumatic memory. -Recognize the role of emotional attunement, safety, and compassionate reparenting in the rescripting process. - Learn how to balance structure and spontaneity when leading a client through emotionally charged imagery.

In this roleplay, the client takes the lead in rescripting her own painful memories. Using imagery, she revisits moments of conflict with her mother, expressing anger, sadness, and disappointment while exploring a deeper need for understanding and connection. Supported by the therapist, Tessa feels safe enough to engage with her younger self, reflect on her relationship with her mother, and express her wish for closeness. The session demonstrates how empowering clients to actively reshape their memories fosters healing and self-compassion. Learning objectives: - Observe how clients can take an active role in Imagery Rescripting. - Understand the therapist’s role in creating safety and encouraging emotional expression. - Recognize how anger and vulnerability coexist during rescripting. - Learn techniques to help clients integrate new emotional experiences into their self-narrative.

Trauma work can evoke intense emotions, and clients may sometimes dissociate during imagery exercises. This roleplay illustrates how therapists can recognize early signs of dissociation and use grounding techniques—such as tactile objects like a fleece blanket—to help clients stay connected to the present moment. When clients become overwhelmed, they can signal for help, allowing the therapist to intervene calmly and restore safety. The session highlights the importance of pacing, attunement, and maintaining a secure environment during trauma processing. Learning objectives: - Identify early signs of dissociation during Imagery Rescripting. - Learn practical grounding techniques to help clients stay present. - Understand how to re-establish safety without interrupting the therapeutic process. - Develop sensitivity to the client’s signals of overwhelm and readiness.

Aggression and threat can emerge vividly during imagery work. In this demonstration, the therapist models how to manage such situations safely and effectively. When the client imagines confronting an abusive stepfather, the therapist intervenes with a “magical” technique—symbolically neutralizing the aggressor to protect the child within the imagery. This approach helps the client experience safety, empowerment, and control within the rescripting process. The session offers a clear example of how creativity and structure combine in therapeutic imagination. Learning objectives: - Understand how to handle aggression or threat that arises in Imagery Rescripting. - Learn how symbolic or “magical” interventions can restore safety in the imagery. - Observe how to empower clients without reinforcing helplessness. - Recognize the therapeutic rationale behind creative imagery techniques.

In schema therapy we work with emotions, cognitions and behaviours, but only touch the subject of the body tangentially. However, many clients, particularly with complex histories, present with somatic symptoms. Sometimes client’s story is told more by the body than words. There may be modes that express themselves primarily somatically, sometimes the Vulnerable Child or Infant Mode is pre-verbal. Clinicians can feel quite stuck and at a loss when there is a need to go beyond words and client’s narrative, or where the client appears to be trapped in a strong coping or critic mode. This presentation will give a brief outline of integrating the body more directly in schema therapy work. It will address questions such as why we need to work with the body at all and look at the benefits as well as the risks. It will give a brief outline of the basic steps that can be taken to create a structure to work with the body, and also learn to access the body as a place of comfort, particularly where the body has been the site of trauma in the past. The aim of the presentation is to give clinicians ideas and confidence about bringing more body focus into their usual schema therapy interventions, and also use their own body as a place of guidance and resourcefulness.

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).

How can you stay truly connected with your teenager—especially during a stage when they seem to pull away? In this introduction to Hold Me Tight / Let Me Go, Barbara Veldt explores how Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) can help strengthen the bond between parents and teens. Developed in the US and further refined in Norway and the Netherlands, this program offers practical tools to navigate the challenges of adolescence—from identity pressures and mood swings to the growing need for independence. Through group sessions, home assignments, and family conversations, grounded in attachment theory, parents learn how to provide support and safety while giving their teenager space to grow. Suitable for all parents, including divorced or single parents.

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.

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 roleplay, Dr. Leanne Campbell collaborates with Nina, a 43-year-old woman who recently lost a loved one and is struggling with an unresolved childhood trauma. Nina is experiencing a depressive episode that has lasted for six months and feels stuck, lonely, and isolated. In this first part of the session, Leanne focuses on building an emotional connection with Nina and guides her through the first phase of ‘The Tango,’ a process aimed at connecting with her feelings and inner experiences.

In this third session, Dr. Leanne Campbell wants to delve into Gus's experience of the previous session. They then explore together the energy that Gus would like to feel in his life. The goal is to help Gus let go of feelings of rejection and the belief that he is unlovable, allowing him to feel freer and more empowered.

Brain mechanisms for certainty, uncertainty and hope: a neuropsychoanalytic perspective In this presentation, Mark Solms describes the pivotal role that is played in memory and voluntary and involuntary actions by the processing of certainty and uncertainty regarding expectations. These memory and action mechanisms will be discussed in relation to brain mechanisms for emotion, with a special focus on hopeful expectations. Finally, these issues will be linked to the process of psychotherapy.

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.

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.

In this role-play, unconstructive silence emerges as a challenge in group therapy, prompting the therapist to intervene. As members begin to share their perspectives, underlying feelings of disconnection and distraction come to light. Tensions rise when conflicts surface, with some participants expressing frustration over being interrupted. The therapist facilitates open communication, guiding the group toward resolving conflicts and rebuilding engagement. The session highlights the importance of dialogue and mutual understanding in overcoming obstacles within group dynamics.

In this role-play Marjolein Koementas-de Vos demonstrates how to prepare a group for the start of group psychotherapy. The session highlights the therapeutic benefits of group work and outlines key rules such as commitment, regular attendance, and confidentiality, all essential for creating a safe environment. Group members are encouraged to share their experiences and offer feedback to one another. Common concerns about expressing personal feelings in a group setting are addressed. The group is introduced as an “emotional gym” — a place to work on interpersonal issues — with the facilitator supporting open and respectful dialogue.

The session begins with a warm welcome and the identification of a distressing mental image. This leads to an in-depth discussion about Carla’s emotional responses, including stress, anxiety, and feelings of powerlessness. The conversation also touches on her physical reactions — particularly a sense of tightness or disturbance in the chest. To help manage this tension, therapist Ad Kerkhof introduces grounding techniques such as the butterfly hug and counting backwards. These methods aim to support emotional regulation and prepare Carla for the next steps in treatment. The session concludes with a reflection on the progress made and a brief look ahead, ensuring that Carla feels supported and ready for what’s to come.

In this video, we see a fragment from an intake session between therapist Ad Kerkhof and patient Carla. The conversation focuses on identifying intrusive thoughts in the context of EMDR and suicide prevention. Ad Kerkhof carefully explores the nature of the intrusions — what form they take, when they occur, and what their content is. At the same time, he inquires about Carla’s current medication and how her depressive symptoms manifest. Central to the conversation is the question: what is Carla internally struggling with — which thoughts, feelings, or beliefs are fueling her sense of hopelessness?

In this role-play, Prof. Dr. Mark van der Gaag demonstrates the pie chart technique. With this well-known technique in CBT, you can help a client come up with more helpful alternative explanations for events.

The ABC-model is one of the most well-known techniques within CBT. In this video, Prof. Dr. Colin van der Heiden shows how to apply this technique, and help clients make a distinction between the actual events, thoughts about the events, the resulting feelings, and the behavior th.

With Joy Oonk

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 schema therapy we work with emotions, cognitions and behaviours, but only touch the subject of the body tangentially. However, many clients, particularly with complex histories, present with somatic symptoms. Sometimes client’s story is told more by the body than words. There may be modes that express themselves primarily somatically, sometimes the Vulnerable Child or Infant Mode is pre-verbal. Clinicians can feel quite stuck and at a loss when there is a need to go beyond words and client’s narrative, or where the client appears to be trapped in a strong coping or critic mode. This presentation will give a brief outline of integrating the body more directly in schema therapy work. It will address questions such as why we need to work with the body at all and look at the benefits as well as the risks. It will give a brief outline of the basic steps that can be taken to create a structure to work with the body, and also learn to access the body as a place of comfort, particularly where the body has been the site of trauma in the past. The aim of the presentation is to give clinicians ideas and confidence about bringing more body focus into their usual schema therapy interventions, and also use their own body as a place of guidance and resourcefulness.

Rachel Rogers discusses the mental health challenges faced by first responders, including high rates of PTSD and burnout. She emphasizes the need for intensive trauma therapy and accessible support, highlighting barriers like stigma and unpredictable work schedules. The importance of therapeutic relationships and addressing non-responders in therapy is also explored, focusing on how genuine connections can enhance client engagement and treatment outcomes.

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.

In the second session with Marcel, Les Greenberg continues the Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) demonstration. In the previous session, they explored Marcel's relationship with his mother, but today, Marcel considers discussing his father. When he holds back, Marcel also reflects on his physical reactions, noting that he grinds his teeth at night. His father was a quiet man but prone to sudden bursts of anger.

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.

With Arjan Videler

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

In this masterclass, you'll gain insight into some of the most innovative and unusual techniques used in psychotherapy today. Drawing on his extensive experience as a clinician and researcher, Dr. Akhtar will guide you through a range of interventions designed to help you better connect with your clients and achieve lasting change. From psychodrama and bibliotherapy to music and dance therapy, this masterclass covers a wide range of approaches that you can use to engage with clients and help them overcome their challenges.

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

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 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 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 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.

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 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.

In this roleplay, the client takes the lead in rescripting her own painful memories. Using imagery, she revisits moments of conflict with her mother, expressing anger, sadness, and disappointment while exploring a deeper need for understanding and connection. Supported by the therapist, Tessa feels safe enough to engage with her younger self, reflect on her relationship with her mother, and express her wish for closeness. The session demonstrates how empowering clients to actively reshape their memories fosters healing and self-compassion. Learning objectives: - Observe how clients can take an active role in Imagery Rescripting. - Understand the therapist’s role in creating safety and encouraging emotional expression. - Recognize how anger and vulnerability coexist during rescripting. - Learn techniques to help clients integrate new emotional experiences into their self-narrative.

Imagery Rescripting is a powerful therapeutic method for transforming the emotional meaning of traumatic memories. In this roleplay, a client recalls a painful childhood scene involving an intimidating stepfather. Under the therapist’s guidance, she re-enters the memory to face and change what once felt overwhelming. Through rescripting, the therapist offers support and compassion to the child version of the client, helping her reclaim control and rewrite her inner story. The session illustrates how imagery can bring healing to unresolved emotions and unmet needs from early life. Learning objectives: - Understand the key steps and rationale of Imagery Rescripting in Schema Therapy. - Observe how the therapist guides the client through confronting and transforming a traumatic memory. -Recognize the role of emotional attunement, safety, and compassionate reparenting in the rescripting process. - Learn how to balance structure and spontaneity when leading a client through emotionally charged imagery.

Trauma work can evoke intense emotions, and clients may sometimes dissociate during imagery exercises. This roleplay illustrates how therapists can recognize early signs of dissociation and use grounding techniques—such as tactile objects like a fleece blanket—to help clients stay connected to the present moment. When clients become overwhelmed, they can signal for help, allowing the therapist to intervene calmly and restore safety. The session highlights the importance of pacing, attunement, and maintaining a secure environment during trauma processing. Learning objectives: - Identify early signs of dissociation during Imagery Rescripting. - Learn practical grounding techniques to help clients stay present. - Understand how to re-establish safety without interrupting the therapeutic process. - Develop sensitivity to the client’s signals of overwhelm and readiness.

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”.

In this case conceptualisation, Prof. Dr. Ad de Jonge and Laurian Hafkemeijer go over Lisanne's background, complaints and traumatic memories. Ad and Laurian make an inventory of the traumatic memories and place them in a hierarchy of how disturbing these memories are for her currently.

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 second session of the Trauma Tapes, Ruud Jongedijk draws the lifeline from birth to the present with Victoria in which both stones (traumas) and flowers (beautiful memories) have a place. At the end of the session they make a picture of this lifeline together. -Dutch with English subtitles-

Femke has PTSD and experiences difficulties with target selection.

Beyond food: understanding and treating eating disorders at their source with EMDR. In this webinar, Natalia Seijo, Clinical Psychologist, Psychotherapist, EMDR Europe trainer, and specialist in complex trauma, explores eating disorders beyond their behavioral aspects. Through her integrative approach, Natalia Seijo helps shed light on the hidden roots of eating disorders: • How to work beyond eating behaviors • Understanding the defense mechanisms that maintain the disorder • Exploring body image distortion

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 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.

Prof. Ad de Jongh looks back on his sessions with Victoria in this director's cut. Ad shows exactly what he does, explaining his choices during the sessions. Ad de Jongh also talks about the similarities and differences between EMDR and EMDR 2.0, and the importance of working memory theory in the latter.

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 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 first session of the Trauma Tapes, Prof. Dr. Berthold Gersons meets Victoria and her partner. He explains to them what PTSD is and how it has changed her view of herself, others and the world. -Dutch with English subtitles-

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.

In this session, psychotherapy unfolds through the classical technique of free association. The patient is encouraged to speak freely, allowing thoughts, feelings, and memories to surface without censorship. What emerges is a landscape shaped by fear of criticism, relational tension, and uncertainty about intimacy and parenting. The therapist listens closely, tracing emotional undercurrents beneath the narrative. Particular attention is given to the patient’s sensitivity to judgment and how this fear shapes interactions in close relationships. Themes of vulnerability, attachment, and self-doubt gradually take form. Through careful guidance, the therapist supports open emotional expression while addressing underlying conflicts. The session concludes with a reflective moment, highlighting both the patient’s fears and the unfolding therapeutic journey toward greater self-understanding.

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 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 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 video, Sarah Walker answers the five most frequently asked questions about Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP). She shares her insights and experience, offering practical answers to common questions from therapists and clients, such as: - How do you get patients to actually connect to their feelings? - How can you tell the difference between an intellectual defense and a projective defense? - How do you regulate a patient's anxiety in a therapy session? - How do you stop becoming educational in therapy? - How do you manage yourself as a therapist during a therapy session?

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.

This e-learning is based on a webinar by prof. dr. Anthony Bateman and dr. Dawn Bales. They talk in depth about Mentalization Based Treatment, the basic principles of MBT and how this approach can be applied in an online setting.

In this demonstration, Marjolein Koementas systematically builds a learning-focused conversation with supervisee Kadir. The session begins with a brief check-in, followed by an inventory of the supervisee’s learning questions. Each question is then refined, the corresponding learning domain is identified, and together they work toward formulating a concrete outcome question. This video illustrates how a supervisor can bring structure to a learning conversation and thereby deepen the supervisee’s learning process.

Marjolein Koementas and Niek Perquin present a structured supervision framework for mental health professionals, based on a practical and theoretical model. The learning domains and learning interventions within the model are functionally connected, and the presenters offer a clear explanation of how to apply the model in everyday practice.

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 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 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.

Hanneke Schaap provides an introduction to the scientific basis of the role of religion and meaning in the treatment of psychological issues. Additionally, she offers clear guidelines for religion and meaning-sensitive treatment.

With Arjan Videler

In this session, Jonathan and therapist Chris Lee explore sleep disturbances and the role of REM sleep, as well as the introduction of EMDR therapy to support emotional healing. The conversation emphasizes the importance of love, affection, and learning to recognize and respond to one’s own needs. Jonathan reflects on his childhood experiences and the early assumption of parental responsibilities. The session also introduces relaxation techniques as a way to regulate the nervous system and support therapeutic progress. Together, they explore how memory processing through EMDR and other therapeutic methods can help address emotional challenges and foster personal growth and healing.

In this third session, Elisabeth delves deeper with Willemijn into one chosen trauma, one stone from her lifeline. Elisabeth refers to this as a "mountain tour," where she is the tour guide and Willemijn leads her along the path towards the trauma. Through asking questions, they navigate the entire path towards the trauma. This process may bring about a lot of fear, but it signifies that Willemijn is on the right path.

Patricia Resick points out statistics indicating that Amsterdam is one of the safest cities in Europe. However, the patient still feels unsafe. She thoroughly guides the patient through the 'stuck points' in his thought patterns with determination and persistence.

In this mid-stage session of therapy, Anne enters the therapy in a furious. The therapist recognizes this as the Angry Child mode salvage with accumulated hurt from her past. The corrective collective experience is now not to limit the but within safe limits that allow the boostness to express itself, eventually calming Anne down. The therapist then guides Anne through an imagery exercise. At the end of the session, Anne is more in her healthy adult mode.

The rule of thumb in DBT is that after +- 60% of the client's treatment you start preparing for the end of the therapy. There is no step-by-step plan for this, and the preparation involves more than arranging aftercare. Above all, it requires alertness and ‘reading between the lines’. For many clients, the approaching end of intensive immersion therapy evokes intense emotions. And if, like Anne, they have a developmental history that includes mobile relationships with sudden abandonment, then they have developed few skills to deal with that. You can see that Roland responds with care, validates and uses didactic strategies to teach Anne what goodbyes can entail. Meanwhile, radical acceptance and anticipation play a crucial role, and of course a watertight relapse prevention plan.

In this session you will be introduced to the structure of individual therapy in DBT. It starts with mindfulness. After that, the agenda is determined based on how someone is there and diary card data. If life-threatening, therapy-impaired, quality-of-life-reducing behavior is involved, a similar chain analysis is performed. In that analysis, vulnerability factors, triggering events, fundamental links, problem behavior and consequences are determined. This makes it clear what the client could do to ensure that 'problem behavior' (in this case pushing away, withdrawing, drinking alcohol) decreases and is replaced by skills (in this case making conscious choices, asking for help, anticipating, distraction, self-consolation). This behavior is immediately practiced and reinforced with coaching feedback. The session with summarizing, making agreements and strengthening commitment. We see many interventions aimed at change. In addition to chain analysis, providing solutions, behavioral exercises, reinforcement and commitment support also provide additional exposure and cognitive modification of the revue. Roland's communication style is direct and at times unorthodox. However, this is balanced with validation, reciprocity and humour. This variety keeps the tension bearable and creates a flow in the session.

In this 20th session, Anne enters the therapy room angry. Nel shows how she deals with Anne's anger: she looks along with Anne's perception of the other, or, in other words, what the patient 'makes' of the practitioner. The first intervention is 'looking along' with the patient in how she sees the practitioner and naming that 'dyad' of subject (the patient) - object (the practitioner) and the connecting affect (anger, hurt). You can see that Anne feels understood in this 'negative transference' and becomes calmer. Later, Nel connects this negative dyad with the repelled dyad, namely the desire to get it right with the practitioner (interpretation): "you are so angry because you actually needed me so much". This connects the negative dyad with underlying the positive one and leads to more integration (the goal of TFP).

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.

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.

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.

With Esther Haaijema, Wendy Weijts and Valentyna Parobii