Lesson 1Early-phase strategies (engagement, assessment feedback, motivational work, safety planning)This part outlines early-phase tasks in a short protocol, including engagement, building alliances, giving assessment feedback, boosting motivation, and safety planning, with focus on ambivalence, shame, and culturally sensitive communication.
Structuring the first two to three sessionsDelivering collaborative assessment feedbackMotivational interviewing for ambivalence and shameSuicide, self-harm, and violence safety planningBuilding a strong working alliance quicklyLesson 2Emotion regulation modules from DBT and ACT: distress tolerance, emotion regulation skills, acceptance and values workThis part combines DBT and ACT emotion regulation modules, covering distress tolerance, emotion regulation skills, acceptance, and values clarification, customised for high-functioning clients facing intense emotions and rigid control.
Functional analysis of emotion dysregulation patternsDistress tolerance skills for acute crisesEmotion regulation skills for everyday triggersAcceptance and defusion for difficult thoughtsValues clarification and committed action planningLesson 3Leveraging client strengths (high cognition, motivation, perfectionism) and preventing perfectionism-driven dropoutThis part emphasises using client strengths like high cognition, motivation, and perfectionism, while stopping perfectionism-related dropout via expectation handling, alliance fixes, and flexible, compassionate standards.
Mapping strengths and vulnerabilities of perfectionismUsing cognitive strengths in formulation and skillsSetting realistic expectations for change and paceAddressing all-or-nothing engagement patternsRepairing alliance ruptures linked to self-criticismLesson 4Middle-phase strategies: schema therapy techniques (mode work, limited reparenting, imagery rescripting) for core schemasThis part shows schema therapy middle-phase techniques for core schemas, including mode work, limited reparenting, and imagery rescripting, fitted to a short 12–16 session setup while keeping depth and emotional effect.
Identifying core schemas and modes collaborativelyPsychoeducation on modes and coping stylesLimited reparenting within professional boundariesImagery rescripting for formative memoriesIntegrating schema work with CBT and interpersonalLesson 5Late-phase strategies: relapse prevention, consolidation of new relational patterns, and maintenance planningThis part describes late-phase strategies for relapse prevention, solidifying new relational patterns, and maintenance planning, including booster sessions, self-monitoring plans, and readying for expected high-risk situations.
Reviewing gains and consolidating key skillsRelapse prevention mapping and risk scenariosStrengthening new relational and identity narrativesDesigning maintenance and booster session plansCreating self-monitoring and coping plansLesson 6Middle-phase strategies: CBT techniques (cognitive restructuring, behavioral experiments, exposure) targeted to impostor/perfectionism anxietyThis part concentrates on CBT-based middle-phase strategies for impostor and perfectionism-driven anxiety, including cognitive restructuring, behavioural experiments, graded exposure, and behavioural activation suited to high-achieving clients.
Case conceptualization of impostor and perfectionism cyclesCognitive restructuring of self-criticism and doubtDesigning behavioral experiments in performance domainsExposure to feared evaluation and imperfectionBehavioral activation to counter avoidance patternsLesson 7Tailoring session-by-session structure for a 12–16 session timeline with decision points for extensionThis part explains structuring a 12–16 session protocol, including session-by-session planning, decision points for extending or reducing intensity, and balancing depth with time limits and service needs.
Macro-planning across early, middle, late phasesSession-by-session micro-structure templatesDecision points for extension or step-down careMonitoring progress to guide protocol adjustmentsDocumentation to support flexible planningLesson 8Translating formulation to goals: selecting measurable treatment goals for anxiety, emotion regulation, and relationship patternsThis part explains turning an individual case formulation into specific, measurable treatment goals for anxiety, emotion regulation, and relationship patterns, making sure goals are realistic, prioritised, and jointly agreed.
Deriving goals from core maintaining mechanismsPrioritizing problems within limited session dosesOperationalizing goals into measurable indicatorsCollaborative goal negotiation and expectation settingAligning goals with client values and identityLesson 9Adaptations for dropout risk and alcohol use: motivational interviewing, harm reduction, brief CBT for substance-related triggersThis part tackles adaptations for dropout risk and alcohol use, blending motivational interviewing, harm reduction, and short CBT for substance triggers within the 12–16 session structure without disrupting main goals.
Screening for alcohol use and dropout indicatorsMotivational interviewing for substance ambivalenceHarm reduction planning and safer use strategiesBrief CBT for craving and trigger managementCoordinating with external supports and referralsLesson 10Middle-phase strategies: attachment-focused and interpersonal techniques (mentalization, interpersonal restructuring, corrective relational experiences)This part covers attachment-focused and interpersonal middle-phase strategies, including mentalisation, interpersonal restructuring, and corrective relational experiences, to change rigid relational patterns and improve reflective functioning.
Assessing attachment style and interpersonal cyclesEnhancing mentalization under emotional stressInterpersonal feedback and communication coachingUsing the therapeutic relationship as a laboratoryDesigning in-session corrective relational experiences
