
Hybrid Conference In Cairo and Online
March 17-18-19 : 2022
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It‘s Time for a Schema Therapy Conference!

Dr. Christoph Fuhrhans
President of
the Schema Therapy Conference

Dr. Mona Rakhawy
President of
the Schema Therapy Conference
Surrounded by the flowing Nile, and within the boundaries of the vibrant city that embraces the ancient and modern worlds, we are pleased to hold the First International Conference for the Arabic Speaking Countries titled “Schema Therapy in Orient and Occident – From Challenges to Opportunities.”
Under special support of the International Society for Schema Therapy ISST, this conference will enable you to learn, discuss and experience schema therapy skills and techniques. It will include a broad range of updated knowledge about schema therapy from different perspectives, with a special emphasis on its practice within two different cultures, the orient, and the occident. Due to Corona imponderability, the event is planned in a hybrid format: some presentations will be held online, many of the in-persons events will be shared with online participants, and hybridity will be used to facilitate specific single events.
This international meeting will assemble the world’s distinguished experts in the expanding field of Schema Therapy. It will also include leaders in psychotherapy as well as eminent specialists in the Orient-Occident topics. Participants will learn to be mindful, acknowledge cultural sensitivities, and assess the adaptability of Schema Therapy to different society structures and family traditions. Interested schema therapists, psychotherapists and experts in the orient-occident subject can click here to submit their abstract. Mental health professionals, as well as individuals working in the field of personal and human development are welcomed to attend. The pre-conference workshops will be of value for those who would like to learn the basic knowledge and skills of Schema Therapy or to deepen their existing experiences/knowledge within an active pleasurable/delightful atmosphere.
Our objective is to broaden together the scope of application of ST in the world and to enrich the ST experience in both orient and occident regions.
Looking forward to a memorable event,
Christoph Fuhrhans and Mona Rakhawy
Honorary Presidents

Dr. Yehia Rakhawy

Dr. Jorge Burmeister
About schema therapy in the Arab Region
Schema Therapy is developing in new countries and expanding along different cultures and traditions all over the world.
The community of Schema Therapy trainees in the Arab world is rapidly growing. Since 2018 in Palestine (organized by PABCT) and 2020 in Egypt, there has been a growing interest in Schema Therapy in the Arab world. This has been facilitated by the Schema Therapy Institute East Switzerland (ISTOS) that delivers Schema Therapy training in the region, under the umbrella of the Rakhawy Institute for Training and Research (RITR), the entity that takes care of this process and this conference.
This journey has been accompanied by work, enthusiasm, and fruitful cultural exchanges. We have encountered many challenges and learning opportunities that were invested within a cultural world that is not only proud of its own history but also looking for innovative methods in the field of psychotherapy. The commitment to organizing in a Regional Schema Therapy Committee, primarily as a recommendation of the ISST Executive Board, was made clear to each of us. Our aim is to build together an overall constructive view of the globalized human world that is currently subject to fundamental changes of its structure/existence.
Our deepest gratitude goes to Dr. Jorge Burmeister, the Honorary President of the Congress who initiated the first connection between Palestine, Egypt and Switzerland, and made us able to continue a journey that comprises different countries and embraces contextual diversities!
Welcome From The ISST President
Conference Goals
- On this Conference we will present a broad range of updated basic knowledge for participants interested in learning about Schema Therapy and making first – or deepening – experiences in pre-conference workshops and basic presentations.
- On the other hand we are confronted with an increasing need of discussing and listening to cultural sensitivities in the Arab world. How far (and how far not) can or should the Schema Therapy model be adapted to different society structures and family traditions, who are nonetheless, as overall in the globalized world, currently undergoing a fundamental change of structures and habits themselves.
- To our great honor psychotherapy and Schema Therapy “celebrities” as well as specialists in our Orient-Occident topics already agreed to present at the conference.
Keynote Speakers

Wendy Behary

Alp Karaosmanoglu

Refaat Mahfouz
Refaat Mahfouz, MD, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry, Minia University, Egypt. Honorary President and Chair of Integrative Group Therapy Section (EAGT), Certified Group Therapist (AGPA).

Eckhard Roediger
born 1959, neurologist, psychiatrist and psychotherapist. Trained in psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Formerly Director of a Psychosomatic Department of a clinic in Berlin (GER), since 2007 working in Private Practice and Director of the Schema TherapyT raining Center in Frankfurt (GER). Member of the ISST Board since 2008, Past-President and now honorary member.