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| Training Coordinator Rita Younan I am pleased to serve as the new Training Coordinator and I can be contacted here. |
Joan Farrell is Coordinator for Training and Certification on the ISST Executive Board | Certification Coordinator Cristina Sterie
New Time Limits for applying for the ISST Certification Dear Members of the ISST Community, The Executive Board has approved new rules regarding the time limits for applying for the ISST Certification. New rules clarify the process of determining the deadlines for submission of applications and make it easier and more convenient to use.
ISST Certification Coordinator You can find the new rules here: https://schematherapysociety.org/Certification 
Discussion of the current academic requirement to train for Schema Therapy Certification The ISST Executive Board has spent a few months discussing the issue of whether our current academic requirement of a Master's degree or higher was a good fit for some of the countries our members represent. We were made aware that in some places (e.g., the UK, Australia) certificate programs exist that are equivalent to the traditional Master's degree. We asked the Training Program directors to give us feedback on this issue. Here is a summary of their comments: 1. In general most agree that an exception could be made for the master degree requirement if national guidelines allow for psychotherapists with certifications other than a master or PhD degree to be recognized as psychotherapists. This seems to apply particularly to the UK and Australia.It was suggested that the academic degree requirement not be removed, rather that we add a possible "second" route”, which meets the country's standard. 2. Keep the licensing requirement: “the candidate should be licensed or recognized by governmental bodies to practice psychotherapy in their countries” a. Specify which bodies in a country qualify to give this recognition. 3. Most training directors want to add a clinical experience requirement of at least 2 years, particularly for Advanced level certification 4. Have different requirements for Standard and Advanced levels – those who do not fully meet the academic requirement currently in place can apply for standard level certification. The newly approved Aux certification is not a solution for this group of applicants as it specifically states that it is for non-psychotherapists. 5. Do not add a “Basic diploma” as it will confuse the public and could be misused as well as affecting the ST “brand” negatively The EB discussed this feedback and attempted a compromise between openness to qualified psychotherapists and requirements that would match the complexity of the ST model and maintain its integrity. This led to a description of the procedure for evaluating applications not meeting the current academic requirement. Procedure: Exceptions to the Masters degree or higher academic requirement to begin training in Schema Therapy In countries where a Masters degree is not the only route to the approved practice of psychotherapy, exceptions to the Masters degree requirement to apply for ST training will be based upon the practice of that country. Recommendations for the requirements to be met for exceptions in each country where this issue applies will be made by consensus of the ISST Approved Training Program Directors of that country. The requirements for an exception to apply for Standard level certification only may also be specified. The ISST Executive Board will evaluate and approve the final requirements. In this way a standard practice for making exceptions can be established and all applicants treated in the same manner. In the event that an ISST member applicant disagrees with denial of an exception the appeal process outlined for certification issues will be followed. This process can be found on the ISST website. Approved 10-3-15 ISST Executive Board Meeting Requests for exceptions should be emailed to the T&C Coordinator. |
