Sydney, NSW
Monday 4 November, 2024
I am pleased to share that I will be one of the invited speakers for the 2024 Connect Mini Conference in Sydney. I will be presenting on “Integrating Culture into Schema Therapy Practice.”
Schema therapy has primarily been examined within Western populations, yet it holds potential for broader cultural applications. Current research highlights a universality in schemas and modes, however, challenges can be encountered when converting theory into practice if cultural nuances are not considered. For instance, the Healthy Adult mode is often
based on the idea of a democratic and egalitarian value system. However, when working with clients of non-Western background (e.g. first or second generation Australians, international students, diaspora clients) there may be a cultural clash whereby the clinician’s assumptions of what is considered “healthy” may contrast with the client’s own beliefs and may lead to misattunement and disengagement.
This presentation will explore the intersection of schema therapy principles with cultural values, emphasising the need for culturally responsive frameworks in clinical practice. We will explore how culture can shape schemas and modes, as well as potential issues arising when culture is not factored into schema therapy formulation and practice.
You can attend the conference in-person in Sydney OR online as the event will be streamed live (recordings are available for 12 months).
