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- T12: Fortifying the Therapy Relationship with Challenging Patients
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Fortifying the Therapy Relationship when Dealing with Narcissism, Enmeshment, and Other Challenging Patients (T12) -- Virtual & In-Person by Wendy Behary & Jeff Conway |
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Abstract: This pre-conference workshop will be grounded in an understanding, both conceptually and practically, of the essential value of the therapy relationship in schema therapy; not only as a means for creating a safe refuge for connection, empathy, trust, and openness, but also as a context in which schemas and schema modes can become triggered and expeditiously addressed. Activated events in the therapy relationship can serve as microcosmic representations of the patient’s real-life experiences outside the treatment room; interactions that occur with significant and important others, as well as with self. This dynamic, which calls upon us to maintain a sturdy narrator and a healthy adult posture, can serve as a powerful opportunity for schema investigation and schema healing; providing a gateway to real-time awareness of the underlying pain and suffering that prompts mode shifts. The therapy relationship, chock full of dual activations for both patient and therapist, allows for opportunities for the therapist to appreciate and report on the resonant “as if” experience they imagine others may feel; those engaged in various forms of relationship with our patient. The use of transparency and self-disclosure can act as a helpful guide for our patients to sense, see, feel, and ultimately, transform their critical, demanding, punitive, and maladaptive modes into healthy and adaptive ones. In our many years of experience, we find this phenomenon is especially true when dealing with some of our most challenging patients, for example, those with rigid narcissistic modes and/or deeply ingrained core schemas like enmeshment and mistrust/abuse. As we empathically (and courageously) attend to what is happening between us in the therapy relationship, schemas and modes can be identified and tracked, imagery can be bridged from this stance, and a trusting attachment can be solidified. In so doing, we build a sturdier foundation by which we might better utilize the many robust schema therapy experiential exercises, improve collaboration and fortify a better limited reparenting bond… leading to effective treatment outcomes. About the Presenters:Wendy Behary, LCSW With 25+ years of professional experience and advanced level certifications, Wendy Behary is the founder and director of The Cognitive Therapy Center of New Jersey and The Schema Therapy Institutes of NJ-NYC-DC. She has been treating clients, training professionals and supervising psychotherapists for more than 20 years. Wendy was on the faculty of the Cognitive Therapy Center and Schema Therapy Institute of New York (until the Institutes merged in 2012), where she trained and worked with Dr. Jeffrey Young since 1989. She is a founding fellow and consulting supervisor for The Academy of Cognitive Therapy (Aaron T. Beck’s Institute). Wendy served as the President of the Executive Board of the International Society of Schema Therapy (ISST) from 2010-2014 and served as the Training and Certification Coordinator for the ISST Executive Board from 2008-2010. She is currently the chair of the Schema Therapy Development Programs Sub-Committee for the ISST. Wendy Behary has co-authored several chapters and articles on Schema Therapy and Cognitive Therapy. She is the author of an international bestselling book, "Disarming the Narcissist...” translated in 15 languages. The Third Edition was released on October 1, 2021. Wendy has a specialty in treating narcissists and the people who live with and deal with them. As an author and an expert on the subject of narcissism, she is a contributing chapter author of several chapters on schema therapy for narcissism for professional readers. She lectures both nationally and internationally to professional and general audiences on schema therapy, narcissism, interpersonal relationships, anger, and dealing with difficult people. She receives consistent high praise for her clear and articulate teaching style and her ability to bring the therapy to life through dramatic demonstrations of client interactions in the treatment room. Her work industry business speaking engagements focus on interpersonal conflict resolution. Her private practice is primarily devoted to treating narcissists, partners/people dealing with them, and couples experiencing relationship problems. Jeff Conway Jeff Conway, MS, LCSW is the current President of the International Society of Schema Therapy (ISST). He is a founding member of the ISST and has served in several roles for the ISST since its foundation. His previous Executive Board position was Training Coordinator from 2018-2020. He continues to be a Schema Therapy Trainer and Supervisor and has cultivated a training niche for understanding and effectively treating the Enmeshment and Undeveloped Self Schema. He has written about this schema and provided several workshops and supervision groups on this topic throughout the world. Jeff is also a founding member of The NY Center for Emotion Focused Therapy and is trained in Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), an innovative couple’s therapy model, based on Attachment Theory. He is also a Certified Couples Schema Therapy Trainer and Supervisor and just completed a new online ST Couples Training Program in March of 2022. Other areas of training and experience include the treatment of early childhood trauma, and Object Relations Theory and Group Therapy Models. He resides in New York City where he has a private practice, working with individuals, couples, and groups. |