Michiel van Vreeswijk. Audio. The Complexity of the Internal World: The Role of Schemas and the Importance of Emotion in Psychotherapy

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Michiel is a psychotherapist, psychologist and author who has written widely about Schema therapy. In this wide ranging conversation we discuss the importance of authenticity and emotion in therapeutic work. Here are five key points;

1. Peer supervision in therapy can sometimes focus too much on providing advice and techniques, rather than creating a space for therapists to share their vulnerabilities and connect authentically.

2. Many training programs in therapy emphasize techniques and attitudes, rather than teaching therapists how to connect with their own emotions and share them with clients. 3. The use of schemas and modes in therapy can become overly complex, with therapists feeling the need to label every aspect of a client's internal world. This can detract from the understanding of the complexity and individuality of each person's experiences.

4. Group therapy elements should be given more attention in research and practice, as they provide a mini society where individuals can explore and learn from the differences and dynamics within the group.

5. Therapists need to prioritize self-care and listen to their own minds and bodies. This includes recognizing signs of detachment, cynicism, and loss of interest, and taking them seriously to prevent burnout.

Michiel van Vreeswijk, MSc is clinical psychologist and CEO of G-Kracht Mental Health Care Institute, The Netherlands. He is a certified supervisor and personal therapist in cognitive behavioral therapy (VGCt; Dutch CBT society), certified supervisor schematherapy individual and group schema therapy (ISST, Dutch society of ST) and specialist group therapy (Dutch society of group psychotherapie: NVGP). Michiel gives regularly schema therapy workshops/supervision/ personal therapy in the Netherlands and worldwide. He is (co-) author/ editor of several schema books/ chapters/ articles and is a researcher in schema group therapy.