This experiential and highly anticipated course will deepen learners’ understanding and practice of the powerful evidence-based approach called Imagery Rescripting (ImRs), a dynamic therapeutic technique that has recently been shown to be effective for PTSD-like symptoms arising from childhood trauma (IREM Study. Katrina Boterhoven de Haan. PhD.2022). In this international, multi-centred, clinical trial, ImRs was compared with EMDR. Researchers found no significant differences between these therapies for childhood trauma; both were found to be effective.

With very few exceptions, schools of psychotherapy recognise the centrality and importance of helping a client to construct a ‘Healing Narrative’ although it may not be explicitly stated. To construct a narrative that ‘heals’ we have to connect with emotion, to ‘feel it’ as healing is not just a matter of thoughts and words - Imagery Rescripting seems to do this particularly well and then facilitates a corrective emotional experience.

This course will cover assessment, contraindications, psychometric measures and a comprehensive introduction to Imagery Rescripting. It will also show you how to work effectively work with ImRs challenges and problems and explore and experience the application of the protocol to special client groups including working with dissociation. Please note: Because of the experiential nature of the course, places are limited to 8 persons.

Course Aims:

• Comprehensive introduction to Imagery rescripting
• Understand the origins of ImRs from Schema Therapy and awareness of recent developments
• ImRs as a stand-alone treatment for PTSD-like symptoms arising from childhood trauma.
• Use of assessment methods; recognising contraindications, understanding and implementing psychometric measures.
• A fully immersive experiential skills practice.
• Studying ImRs challenges and issues.
• Working with video in client work.
• Application of Imagery Rescripting to special client groups.
• ImRs and Dissociation

Facilitator: Steve Sharkey

Steve is a UKCP registered psychotherapist and former NHS Consultant Adult Psychotherapist (retired). Steve continues to practice on a private basis a day a week and teach. He has a special interest in personality disorder - he completed a post graduate training in forensic psychotherapy in the NHS and is a former executive council member of the International Association for Forensic Psychotherapy.

He has completed the internationally recognised trainings in both individual and group Schema Therapy. He has had over seventy hours videoed supervised practice on imagery techniques with Dr Alessandro Carmelita, Past President of the Italian Society for Schema Therapy and inventor of Mindful Interbeing Mirror Therapy approach.

Entry requirements

Candidates must be a qualified and practising counsellor or psychotherapist.

Assessment

Through video case study, in-class exercises and learning journals.

Dates & Times 2024-25

Six Saturdays, 9am - 4pm. Class dates will be:

2024: 28th September, 12th October, 26th October, 30th November

2025: 18th January, 8th February

Fees

£1295.00 for all tuition, supervision and registration.
A deposit of £295 will be required before starting the course. Payment options following the initial deposit:
- We are happy to spread the remaining fees over 5 monthly payments of £200 each
- You can pay the remaining course fee in full
- If a third party organisation is paying your fees we will need a purchase order number from them and full payment must be made before the start of the course

How to apply

Click the Apply for Course button below to complete our online application form. If you need any further information before applying, please use the Got Questions button.