WORKSHOP ON “SCHEMA THERAPY”

A three-day International Workshop on “Schema Therapy”, was organized by the Salesian Psychological association (SPA) South Asia, on 14, 15, 16 January 2025, at Don Bosco Provincial House, Bangalore. The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Fr. Jose Thomas Koyickal SDB, the Provincial, in the presence of the Resource person, Jan Kossack, Fr. Shalbin Kalanchery SDB, the Vice Provincial, Fr. Joy Nedumparambil SDB, the Provincial Economer, Fr. Sebastian Kudackat SDB the Rector, Fr, Shiju Malayil SDB, the Province Secretary and Fr. Jino Kuzhithottiyil SDB, the Administrator.

The Workshop was coordinated by Dr. Fr. C.M. Joseph Cherukunnel SDB (President, SPA), Fr. Ajay D’Monte SDB (Secretary, SPA), Dr. Fr. Binu Scaria SDB (Treasurer, SPA) and Fr. N.K. George Nedumkallel SDB (SPA member). This workshop was organized as part of the many activities of the SPA, to commemorate its Silver Jubilee.

Thirty-two participants that included members of the Salesian Psychological Association (SPA), Conference of Catholic Psychologists of India (CCPI) and a few other Psychologists, from various parts of the country took part in the Workshop.

Jan Kossack, the Resource person is an advanced certified Schema Therapist from the Schema Therapy Institutes of New York and New Jersey by Jeffrey Young and Wendy Behary. Currently Jan Kossack offers trainings and supervision in Luxemburg, Spain, France, Switzerland and India. Jan Kossack is one of the two Directors of The Schema Therapy Academy by A. Hadinia and J. Kossck, Luxembourg.

The highlights of the workshop included the theory and conceptual framework of Schema Therapy,   the five core emotional needs of human beings, the basic concepts of the therapy, understanding the 18 schemas, imagery techniques including diagnostic imagery and imagery re-scripting, the identification and understanding of different modes within Schema Therapy. Apart from the theoretical sessions there were also video demonstrations and opportunities for the participants to have supervised practical sessions. The participants were also helped to understand their own schemas through the YSQ-L3, the Schema Questionnaire by Jeffrey Young,

The workshop concluded with the distribution of certificates by Jan Kossack to all the participants.  The insights gained from the workshop enabled the participants, to return to their destinations with the confidence of understanding the basics of Schema Therapy.

Dr. Fr. C.M. Joseph Cherukunnel SDB

(President, SPA)