SFT presentation at Bergen Conference

On November 16, 2011, Prof. David Bernstein presented initial findings from the Dutch national study of Schema Therapy for forensic patients at the Second International Conference on the Treatment of Psychopathy in Bergen, Norway.  This multicenter, randomized clinical trial, which began in 2007, compares the effectiveness of Schema Therapy to usual forensic treatment for male patients with Antisocial, Borderline, Narcissistic, or Paranoid Personality Disorder.  Eight of the 14 forensic hospitals (“TBS clinics”) in The Netherlands are taking part in the study: the Rooyse Wissel (Venray and Maastricht), van der Hoeven (Utrecht), Oostvaarders (Almere), Mesdag (Groningen), Veldzicht (Balkbrug), Kijvelanden (Portugaal), and Assen (Assen).  The preliminary results in the first 30 patients to complete the 3-year study suggest that Schema Therapy is a promising treatment for forensic patients with personality disorders, including some psychopathic patients.  

You can view a film of Prof. Bernstein’s presentation (32 minutes in length) on the congress’s website

The EFP has supported and helped to guide this project since its inception.  The study is financially supported by the EFP, the 8 participating clinics, the Dutch Ministry of Justice, and Maastricht University’s Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.