Journal of Psychology & Psychotherapy
Open Access

Working with schema therapy to make significant therapeutic breakthroughs for forensic patients in a service for men with a diagnosis of severe personality disorder: Recognizing the frozen child and strategies to thaw hi

Joint Event on 3^rd International Conference on Forensic Psychology & Criminology & 3^rd International Congress on Addictive Behavior and Dual Diagnosis

August 16-17, 2018 | Stockholm, Sweden

Jacqui Saradjian & Asad Ul Lah

Clinical and Forensic Psychologist,
1-2-3 Working Together, UK

Keynote: J Psychol Psychother

Abstract :

Purpose: Schema therapy has gone through various adaptations, including the identification of various schema modes. This workshop suggests there may be a further dissociative mode, the �??frozen child�?? mode, which is active for some patients, particularly those that have experienced extreme childhood trauma. Methodology: The workshop is based on a participant observer case study including the personal reflections of a forensic patient who completed a treatment program which includes schema therapy. This is backed up by various clinical case studies in which this concept has been used therapeutically. Findings: The proposed mode, �??frozen child�?�, is supported by theoretical indicators in the literature. It is proposed that patients develop this mode as a protective strategy and that unless recognized and worked with, can prevent successful completion of therapy. Using this concept, therapeutically has led to significant therapeutic progress with those patients. Research Limitations/Implications: Based on a single case study, this concept is presented as a hypothesis that requires validation as the use of the case study makes generalization difficult. Nevertheless, supported by the clinical case studies it raises many interesting issues for consideration and discussion. Practical Implications: It is suggested that if validated, this may be one of the blocks therapists have previously encountered that has led to the view that people with severe personality disorder are untreatable. Suggestions are made as to how patients with this mode, if validated, can be treated with recommendations as to the most appropriate processes to potentiate such therapy. This will be discussed with regard to several clinical cases, including any cases brought by those attending the workshop. Originality/Value: The suggestion of this potential new schema mode is based on service user initiative, arising from a collaborative enterprise between service user and clinician, as recommended in recent government policies. The workshop will give a unique opportunity to have dialogue with an ex-offender who has completed the UK offender with personality disorder pathway from high security to the community and, having genuinely changed, is now able to articulate the process of that engagement and change and what had previously stopped him and his peers from genuinely engaging with psychological services, along with a highly-experienced therapist who has written and delivered these programs with outstanding results.

Biography :

Jacqui Saradjian is a Consultant Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, formerly the Clinical Director of The Fens Offenders with Personality Disorder Pathway Service and who is currently working with adolescent offenders. She has worked effectively for over 25 years with offenders, creating program with a strong evidence base from which has had excellent outcomes. She has presented her work nationally in the UK and internationally in Europe, Canada and in the USA.

E-mail: jsaradj@aol.com