Mindfulness and Schema Therapy

Mindfulness and Schema Therapy presents an eight-session + two follow up sessions protocol for schema mindfulness for therapists and their patients.

• Represents the first book to integrate the theory of schema therapy with the techniques of mindfulness
• Enhances schema therapy with techniques drawn from mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) - a unique integration of two of the most popular treatment approaches in clinical psychology today.
• Merges two of the hottest topics in contemporary clinical psychology and psychotherapy
• Offers a practical guide for training and practice, with detailed coverage of theory followed by dedicated sections for therapists and patients
• Features a variety of exercises enabling readers to immediately implement the protocol
• Written by authors with expertise and experience in both schema therapy and mindfulness
• Includes a Foreword by Mark Williams, renowned for his contribution to the development of MBCT

About the Authors vii

Foreword ix

Acknowledgments xii

Part I Theoretical Background 1

1 Introduction 3

2 Schema Therapy 6

3 Mindfulness 14

Part II Training Manual 45

4 Framework 47

5 (Contra)indications 50

6 Training 53

Session 1—Schemas, Modes, and Mindfulness Training 62

Session 2—Mindfulness of Your Environment 64

Session 3—Mindful Breathing 66

Session 4—Mindfulness of Schema Coping 66

Session 5—Allowing and Accepting What is 68

Session 6—Schemas: Fact or Fiction? 68

Session 7— Caring for Yourself through the Healthy Adult and the Happy Child 69

Session 8—The Future 70

Follow-up Sessions 71

Follow-up Session 1 72

Follow-up Session 2 73

7 Pitfalls 74

8 Conclusion 83

Appendix II-A: Test Result Example 85

Appendix II-B: Mindfulness and Schema Therapy Handout 87

Appendix II-C: Schema and Modes Worksheet 98

Part III Participant Workbook 99

9 Participant Workbook 101

Session 1—Schemas, Modes, and Mindfulness Training 102

Session 2—Mindfulness of Your Environment 114

Session 3—Mindful Breathing 120

Session 4—Mindfulness of Schema Coping 126

Session 5—Allowing and Accepting What is 135

Session 6—Schemas: Fact or Fiction? 143

Session 7— Caring For Yourself Through the Healthy Adult and the Happy Child 150

Session 8—The Future 161

Follow-up Session 1 169

Follow-up Session 2 174

Appendix III-A: Homework Sheet—Everyday Mindfulness 181

Appendix III-B: Homework Sheet—Five-Facet M Questionnaire 183

Appendix III-C: Homework Sheet—Cultivating Schema Mindfulness 186

Appendix III-D: Homework Sheet—Writing a Summary 188

Appendix III-E: Schema Coping Questionnaire 190

Part IV List of Audio Files 193

Bibliography 195

Index 204

Michiel van Vreeswijk is a clinical psychologist, cognitive-behavioral therapist, certifi ed supervisor in schema therapy, and co-director at G-kracht mental health care institute.

Jenny Broersen is a mental health care psychologist and psychotherapist, and a supervisor in cognitive-behavior therapy and schema therapy. She teaches postdoctoral courses in schema therapy and cognitive-behavior therapy.

Ger Schurink is a mental health care psychologist, psychotherapist, cognitive-behavioral therapist and certifi ed supervisor in cognitive-behavior therapy. He runs a private practice in The Netherlands and is a trainer in MBCT.

"This book makes a major contribution to the development of schema therapy by introducing a 'third wave' perspective, supporting the function of the Healthy Adult through mindfulness exercises. After a brief but comprehensive introduction to conceptual underpinnings, a well-structured group program is described that sets a clear course for therapist and patient. Both get specific instructions, including audio files and tracking sheets to support the exercises. A big step forward!" Dr. Eckhard Roediger, Director, Institute for Schema Therapy Frankfurt (IST-F)

Schema therapy is now fi rmly established as an effective treatment for borderline personality disorder, and new applications are constantly being explored. Among the most promising is schema mindfulness, an approach that integrates schema therapy with techniques of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Mindfulness and Schema Therapy presents an innovative protocol for schema mindfulness with eight sessions and two follow-up sessions. Structured in three section–theoretical background, therapist's guide and participant workbook–Mindfulness and Schema Therapy explores how mindfulness can be used to better understand schema-triggered responses and how patients can learn to respond in more healthy ways toward themselves and others. Innovatively combining theory, research, and practical guidance, Mindfulness and Schema Therapy represents an invaluable resource for therapists and patients seeking the very latest developments in schema therapy.