Online Workshop 3

Wednesday 7 May: 9.30am - 12.45pm

Adapting Schema Therapy for the Treatment of personality disorders in older adults: beyond therapeutic nihilism

Arjan Videler Tilburg University. the Netherlands

For a long time, therapeutic nihilism prevailed in the treatment of personality disorders in older adults. Over the past decade, several studies were conducted into treatment of personality disorders in older people, mainly from a CBT framework. Schema therapy has been found to be feasible and effective in later life. Positive schemas seem to be an important vehicle of change. 

This workshop will introduce participants to the basic principles and adaptations of schema therapy and STEPSS for older adults. Participants will feel more confident treating older adults with personality disorders in their clinical practice and learn how it is adapted.

Key learning objectives

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Describe the evidence base and adaptations of schema therapy and STEPSS in older adults.
• Understand how schema therapy and STEPSS achieve therapeutic effects in older adults.
• Be aware of agist beliefs they themselves and their patients hold that interferes with a therapeutic outcome.

Arjan Videler is a cognitive behavioural psychotherapist and researcher. He is endowed professor ‘Psychotherapy in older adults’ at Tranzo, Tilburg University.

Ekiz, E., van Alphen, S.P.J., Melssen, A.M.E.L., Ouwens, M.A., & Videler, A.C. (2024). Adapting Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving for older adults with personality disorder: a Dutch Delphi study. Clinical Psychologist, 8(1), 62–69.

Ekiz, E., Videler, A.C., Ouwens, M., & Van Alphen, S.P.J. (2023). Systems training for emotional predictability and problem solving in older adults with personality disorders: A pilot study. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 51(1), 105-109.

Videler, A.C., van Royen, R.J.J., Legra, M.J.H., & Ouwens, M.A. (2020). Positive schemas in older adults: Clinical implications and research suggestions. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 48(4), 481–491.

Khasho, D.A., van Alphen, S.P.J., Ouwens, M.A., Arntz, A., Heijnen-Kohl, S.M.J., & Videler, A.C. (2023). The effectiveness of individual schema therapy in older adults with borderline personality disorder: A multiple-baseline case series design. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 30(6), 1313–1323.