The Schema Therapy Cetrer Tirana is pleased to announce the 2026 Schema Therapy Training Program in Albania. For participants who will complete all aspects of the training, the program will lead to either Standard or Advanced Certification through the International Society for Schema Therapy (ISST; www.isstonline.com).
The center is established to provide quality schema therapy training to mental health practitioners, and to promote research on schema theory and treatment that fulfill the International Society’s (ISST) Guidelines. A highly experienced faculty of supervisors (with extensive experience in schema therapy) will assists the Training Director, overseeing the practice exercises and providing supervision. Our program is conducted in cooperation with other approved certified schema therapy training programs in the region.
Schema Therapy Training Program in Albania is designed in alignment with ISST certification standards (2018). It provides a comprehensive integration of theory, experiential learning, and supervised clinical practice. The program aims to develop competencies in conceptualization, therapeutic relationship, and intervention using Schema Therapy in the individual therapy modality.
- Develop a deep understanding of schema theory, modes, and coping styles
- Build competency in case conceptualization
- Strengthen therapeutic relationship skills (limited reparenting, empathic confrontation)
- Apply cognitive, experiential, and behavioral techniques
- Work effectively with personality disorders and complex clinical cases
The program consists of structured modules combining:
- Didactic teaching
- Role-play and experiential exercises
- Case-based learning
- Supervision and feedback
Focuses on schema theory, emotional needs, assessment tools, and formulation.
Includes: schemas, modes, coping styles, developmental origins, and treatment planning.
Hours: 9 didactic, 5 experiential
Focuses on limited reparenting, empathic confrontation, and managing therapist schemas.
Includes work on countertransference and use of self-disclosure.
Hours: 3 didactic, 3 experiential
Covers cognitive, experiential, and behavioral interventions.
Includes imagery rescripting, chair work, mode dialogues, and behavioral change.
Hours: 10 didactic, 6 experiential
Application of schema therapy to personality disorders and Axis I conditions.
Includes BPD, NPD, Cluster C, PTSD, OCD, eating disorders, and addiction.
Hours: 6 didactic, 4 experiential
The program uses interactive and experiential teaching methods including:
- Lectures and theoretical input
- Live demonstrations
- Structured role-plays
- Group discussions and feedback
- Case presentations
Lead Trainer: Ermal Azisllari, Trainer and Superviser in individual Schema Therapy.
Supervisors:
- Tijana Mirovic, Trainer and Supervisor in individual Schema Therapy
- Christina Vallianatou, Trainer and Supervisor in individual Schema Therapy
- Elvis Popaj, Supervisor in individual Schema Therapy
- Aleksandra Mitrovic, Supervisor in individual Schema Therapy
- Elisaveta Sekulovska, Supervisor in individual Schema Therapy
- Skerdi Zahaj, Advanced Individual Schema therapist, Supervisor under supervision in individual Schema Therapy
All supervisors are ISST advanced-certified and meet supervision standards.
Participants will receive structured supervision through a network of national and international ISST-certified supervisors. Supervision supports skill development, case conceptualization, and preparation for certification.
Trainees who want supervision may choose to receive 20 or 40 hours of individual case supervision, on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Regular supervision will provide an opportunity for intensive, individualized feedback and mentoring, tailored to each candidate’s specific needs. Supervision will include case conceptualization, treatment planning, practicing specific techniques, and, on a limited basis, some sessions can be devoted to helping candidates heal their own schemas that may be interfering with treatment. A few sessions will be devoted to discussion of the supervisor’s feedback and ratings of recorded patient sessions submitted by the candidate.
Ratings of Patient Therapy Sessions Candidates who want certification will be required to submit video or audio recordings, or transcripts, of therapy sessions on a regular basis (about every 6-8 sessions) throughout the program. Supervisors will rate each session using the STCRS (Schema Therapist Competency Rating Scale) and will provide detailed feedback during regularly scheduled supervision sessions.
Core literature includes:
Young et al. (2003), Arntz & Jacob (2013), Farrell & Shaw (2014, 2018), Behary (2013), and others relevant to Schema Therapy.
The program is open to qualified mental health professionals.
Selection is based on transparent criteria and available capacity.
Arntz, A., & Jacob, G. (2013). Schema Therapy in Practice.West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Behary, W. T. (2013). Disarming the Narcissist. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications.
Farrell, J. M., & Shaw, I. A. (2018). Experiencing Schema Therapy from the Inside Out. A Self-Practice / Self-Reflection Workbook for Therapists. New York, London: The Guilford Press.
Farrell, J. M., Reese, N., & Shaw, I. A. (2014). The Schema Therapy Clinician’s Guide. West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Heath, G. & Startup; H (Eds.). Creative Methods in Schema Therapy – Advances and Innovation in Clinical Practic London & New York: Routledge.
Jacob, G., van Genderen, H., & Seebauer, L. (2015). Breaking negative thinking patterns. A Schema Therapy Self-Help and Support Book. West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
van Vreeswijk, M. & Broersen, J. (Eds). (2012). The Wiley Blackwell handbook of Schema Therapy.West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Young, J. E, Klosko, J. S., & Weishaar, M. E. (2003). Schema Therapy: A Practitioner’s Guide. New York: The Guilford Press.
Young, J. E, & Klosko, J. S. (1994). Reinventing Your Life. New York: Penguin.