# Feasibility of online group schema therapy: A preliminary study with therapists in training for future application in borderline personality disorder

## TL;DR

This study tested the feasibility of online group schema therapy for therapists in training, showing it could be a promising approach for treating borderline personality disorder.

## Contribution

The study provides preliminary evidence for the feasibility of video-conferencing group schema therapy for non-patient populations.

## Key findings

- VC-GST showed high usability and strong client satisfaction with a 4% drop-out rate.
- Participants demonstrated improved adaptive schemas and reduced maladaptive schemas.
- Findings support further research into VC-GST for borderline personality disorder patients.

## Abstract

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is the most prevalent personality disorder and can significantly impair patients' functioning. Evidence-based treatments exist, but can be inaccessible due to various limitations. Internet-delivered treatment could potentially increase accessibility and scalability. Before investigating patients, we planned a pilot-test of video-conferencing group schema therapy (VC-GST) as self-therapy for therapists in training.

This study aimed to assess the feasibility of VC-GST for therapists in training. We hypothesised VC-GST to be a feasible intervention.

An uncontrolled pre-post-test feasibility study was conducted on a group of 24 therapists in training and analysed via one-sample and paired-samples t-tests. Feasibility was assessed through system usability, client satisfaction, group cohesion, working alliance, and drop-out rates. Furthermore, the effect of the VC-GST intervention on the participants' functioning, patterns, and personality traits was evaluated.

VC-GST showed high usability and strong client satisfaction, with marked improvement in group cohesion and working alliance, and a drop-out rate of 4 %. Additionally, participants showed an increase in adaptive and decrease in maladaptive schemas.

This study demonstrates that VC-GST could be a feasible intervention for therapists in training, warranting further research into VC-GST for a clinical population of BPD patients.

•Feasibility study of video-conferencing schema therapy with therapists in training•VC-GST led to improvements in ADP-IV personality traits, schemas, and coping modes.•VC-GST is a feasible internet-delivered intervention for non-patient populations.•Findings support further research into VC-GST for borderline personality disorder.

Feasibility study of video-conferencing schema therapy with therapists in training

VC-GST led to improvements in ADP-IV personality traits, schemas, and coping modes.

VC-GST is a feasible internet-delivered intervention for non-patient populations.

Findings support further research into VC-GST for borderline personality disorder.