Summerschool 2026

In 2025, the Dutch Institute for Schema Therapy, organized its second in person summer school and that has been a huge success; 20+ people from all over the world traveled to Utrecht for a inspiring, pleasurable and fun week of schema therapy. In 2026, we will organize yet another edition of an in-person Summer School from 6-10 July in Utrecht, the Netherlands. You’re invited to join us in a week full of interesting topics in schema therapy. The topic of this new edition will be ‘Schema therapy for the Cluster C personality disorders, Treatment of the avoidant-, dependent-, and the obsessive-compulsive patients’

In outpatient mental health care, clients with dependent, avoidant, or compulsive personality disorders (cluster C) constitute the largest group within personality disorders. Although schema therapy has been proven effective for this target group (Bamelis et al., 2014), many training courses and publications focus primarily on borderline personality disorder or other externalizing problems.

However, treating cluster C problems requires a different therapeutic approach. Therapists often encounter stubborn, rigid coping modes in these clients: avoidance, subassertiveness, and perfectionism are deeply rooted and regularly reinforced positively in their environment. As a result, change does not come naturally—even when there is a safe therapeutic relationship.

Furthermore, the needs underlying cluster C problems differ fundamentally from those underlying borderline problems. This requires an adapted therapeutic relationship and techniques such as limited reparenting. The use of methods such as imaginary rescripting, cognitive interventions, and behavioral experiments also requires adaptation to the pace, structure, and specific vulnerability pattern of this target group.

In the summerschool 2026, you will learn:

How to conceptualize cluster C issues in terms of basic needs, schemas, and modes;
What the pitfalls are in contact with dependent, avoidant, and compulsive clients—and how to deal with them effectively;
How to adapt existing schema therapy techniques for this target group in order to achieve lasting results.
This knowledge is essential for therapists who work with one of the most common, yet most subtle forms of personality problems. Be inspired by current insights and practical tools, and deepen your expertise in an area where there is much to be gained – for you and your client.

We want to make sure this week provides you a safe environment in which you can feel connected and validated in the process of both learning and enjoying a playful and pleasurable time in the group. To ensure that you will have a great time, we will offer a social program full of fun activities, ranging from dinner to a boat trip, a city walk and karaoke.

Presenters

Besides Remco van der Wijngaart, there will be guest speakers with specific scientific or clinical knowledge. Last editions, we were proud that the following speakers have presented during the during the summer school:

Dr. Julie Krans, assistant professor in clinical psychology and associate director of the Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University; senior researcher at Pro Persona Overwaal centre for anxiety, OCD and PTSD; guest professor in clinical psychology at the KU Leuven; trained CBT therapist (VVGT); co-founder of the International consortium on Imagery rescripting and senior author of a review study on the effectiveness of Schema Therapy in treating anxiety disorders, OCD and PTSD.
Elsa van den Broek, schema therapist and drama therapist. Known as ’Lucy’ from the production ‘Schema therapy, working with modes’, Elsa is an expert in bringing emotion and felt experiences into the therapy room.
There will be a social program open for those who like to enjoy the beautiful city of Utrecht with each other. Extra (reasonable!) costs will be charged for participation in this social program.

This is a preliminary program, definitive program will be presented in January 2026

Day 1: Dependent Personality disorder

Monday, July 6: 11am-4.45pm CET

• Introduction to Cluster C study
• Complpiant Surrender Mode and chairwork in the initial phase of treatment
• Punitive Mode and imagery rescripting
• Expressing anger and rage

Day 2: Avoidant Personality Disorder

Tuesday, July 7: 10am-4.45pm CET

• Avoidant Coping mode-Empathic Confrontation at the start of therapy
• Guilt-inducing mode – Imagery rescripting in the initial phase of therapy
• Vulnerable Child Mode – Pushing self-expression and expressing needs

Day 3: Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

Wednesday, July 8: 10am-4.45pm CET

• Demanding mode – Chairwork in the initial phase of therapy
• Fighting different antagonists
• Happy Child Mode

Day 4: Healthy Adult Mode

Thursday, July 9: 10am-4.45pm CET

• Middle phase of therapy
• Identifying the Healthy Adult
• Strengthening Healthy Adult
• Chairwork and the 3 steps
• Final phase of therapy: how to stop?

Day 5: Science and drama
Friday, July 10: 10am-3pm CET

Scientific Update (possibly presented by Julie Krans)
Drama techniques (possibly presented by Elsa van den Broek)
Closing ceremony

Day 1: Monday, July 6: 6.00pm CET
City tour towards beautiful restaurant for dinner.

Last years, Natalie van Oort, schema therapist and drama therapist, associated with the Dutch Institute for Schema Therapy, guided us through her home city Utrecht. Via some of the most beautiful sites of the city, participants will arrive at a beautiful restaurant and enjoy dinner and drinks. Hopefully Natalie will be able to offer you this guided tour again in 2026!

Day 2: Tuesday, July 7: 5.30pm CET
Boat trip through the canals with drinks and snacks

A cruise through the canals of Utrecht is the perfect way to experience the beautiful city and historic architecture of the city. During this 1,5 hrs trip, snacks and drinks will be served.

Day 3: Thursday, July 9: 7.00pm CET
Dinner at the restaurant ‘Silk road’

Dinner at the restaurant ‘Silk Road’. The name refers to the ancient trade route, a network of caravan routes through Central Asia, along which trade was conducted between China and eastern Asia on the one hand and the Middle East and the Mediterranean on the other. The dishes served come from Central Asia. The chefs of the restaurant use family recipes from people who come from there.

Day 4: Thursday, July 10: 10.00pm CET
Karaoke bar The Duke of Tokyo

After dinner you can go wild with other participants and sing your lungs out in this legendary karaoke bar.

Day 5: Friday, July 10: 3pm-4.30pm CET
Farewell drink

A last drink to celebrate life and a great week spent together!

Knowledge

By the end of the course, you will have refreshed your knowledge of the most important characteristic elements of schema therapy (the concepts, therapeutic relationship of Limited Reparenting, and the application of cognitive, emotion-focused, and behavioral techniques). You will also have gained insight into how to apply these elements in the treatment of Cluster C disorders.

Skills

At the end of the course, you will be able to apply these characteristic elements at least to a sufficient level in the treatment of clients with Cluster C personality problems. You will also be sufficiently able to apply specific methods and techniques for the treatment of Cluster C disorders, such as ‘contaminating the chair with emotions’, dealing with feelings of guilt, stimulating anger, self-expression and spontaneity, and play.

Therapists who work with clients with Cluster C personality disorders and/or persistent mood and anxiety disorders and who already have some basic knowledge and experience with schema therapy (preferably in combination with supervision or participation in an intervision group).

This 25 hrs training course can count as an advanced training for the certification within the Dutch Association for Schema therapy (Vereniging voor Schematherapie, VSt).

This 25 hrs training course can also count as an advanced training part in the certification process for the International Society for Schema Therapy (ISST)

Brockman, R., Simpson, S., Hayes, C., Van der Wijngaart, R., & Smout, M. (2023). Cambridge Guide to Schema Therapy (Cambridge Guides to the Psychological Therapies). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/9781108918145

Van der Wijngaart, R. (2021) Imagery Rescripting rescripting, theory and practice. Pavilion Publishing Company

Van der Wijngaart, R. (2023) Chairwork, theory and practice. Pavilion Publishing Company

Van der Wijngaart, R., Van Genderen, H. (2024) Schema therapy for cluster C personality disorders. Treatment of the Dependent-, Avoidant-, and Obsessive-Compulsive patients. Pavilion Publishing Company ltd.

• €1300 for 5 days
• Lunch, coffee and tea included
• Overnight stay not included
• Social program offered separately