According to ISST requirements for certification as a schema therapist (individual) (Version 2.0) all candidates must submit recorded therapy sessions for evaluation by an independent rater — an ISST Certified Supervisor with no prior professional or personal relationship with the candidate.
Standard level: One recording demonstrating emotion-focused techniques (imagery rescripting or mode dialogues (in chairs) for change) with a patient appropriate for Schema Mode work. Minimum average score of 4.0 on both the STCRS and STCCRS, and minimum score of 4.0 on items 6 (where applicable), 7–9, and 11 of the STCRS.
Advanced level: Two recordings from two different patients, rated by two different raters. One session must feature a patient with a personality disorder. The two sessions must demonstrate different emotion-focused techniques for change (one imagery rescripting, one mode dialogues (in chairs)), and must together show competence with both avoidant/surrender modes and overcompensating modes. Specifically, one recording should address a client presenting with avoidant or surrender modes, while the other should address a client with an overcompensating mode. Competence with these modes does not need to be the central focus of the session, but it must be clearly visible — for instance, through the therapist actively identifying and naming the modes. All relevant modes must be thoroughly described in the Case Conceptualisation and specified on the certification application form. Minimum average score of 4.5 on both the STCRS and STCCRS. Beyond the required minimum averages, candidates must also achieve individual item scores of no less than 4.0 on items 6 (where applicable), 7–9, and 11 of the STCRS.
Recordings must be continuous and complete, between 45 and 60 minutes, and accompanied by a completed Case Conceptualization form and Session Recording Background and Information Summary Form. Video recording is strongly preferred, though audio is acceptable.
Once a recording is submitted to an independent rater, it cannot be sent to a different rater for re-evaluation if it fails to meet the required scores. Candidates who wish to contest a rating may contact the ISST Certification Coordinator to arrange a second independent review. The final result will be the average of the two ratings.
While a recording itself can only be submitted once, the accompanying Case Conceptualisation may be revised and resubmitted to the same rater if the recording meets the STCRS requirements but the conceptualisation does not. In such cases, the rater may indicate areas for improvement and allow the candidate to resubmit.
A session recording that was used for Standard certification can also be reused for Advanced certification. It can count as one of the two required rated sessions, but only if it meets all advanced-level criteria – including scoring at least 4.5 on both the STCRS and the STCCRS.
An independent rater is defined as an ISST Certified Supervisor or Trainer who has had no involvement in the candidate’s training program — whether as a director, supervisor, or trainer in didactic or role-play components — and who has no existing professional or personal relationship with the candidate. Where this definition cannot be fully met due to geographic or contextual constraints (such as a country with only one training program, a very limited pool of certified supervisors, or forensic settings that restrict the removal of recordings), candidates may apply for an exemption by writing to the ISST Training Coordinator. This policy exists to prevent any potential bias arising from overlapping roles. Before requesting such an exemption, candidates are strongly encouraged to search the ISST website for an independent rater who speaks their language and is based outside their country’s training context.
Reference:
(2021) ISST requirements for certification as a schema therapist (individual) (Version 2.0). https://schematherapysociety.org