ABOUT THE SAFEPATH INSTITUTE
Mission Statement
The SafePath Institute promotes the development and dissemination of SafePath, an evidence-based method that trains teams to work with challenging clients in more humane and psychologically-informed ways. SafePath gives people a common language, understanding, and vision that creates healthier lives, institutions, and communities. We support institutions such as psychiatric and forensic hospitals, prisons, addiction centers, youth residences, schools, nursing facilities, community-based programs, and parole, probation, and child protective services. We empower professionals to create working environments that are safe and promote the growth and well-being of clients and staff. We support the safe and productive integration of people with mental illness, addiction, and personality and behavior problems into the community. The SafePath Institute is an independent institute not affiliated with other organizations.
The Development of SafePath
SafePath was founded in 2011 by Dr. David Bernstein, formerly Professor of Forensic Psychotherapy at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. While conducting research in Dutch forensic hospitals, he noticed that the professional staff responsible for the day-to-day management of clients often received only minimal training in psychological interventions. He developed SafePath, which combines the principles of Schema Therapy, an evidence-based therapy for personality disorders, and Positive Psychology, to empower professionals to work together more effectively in complex, challenging environments. Over the next ten years, he trained dozens of teams in forensic and mental health settings in the Netherlands, developing an engaging and playful approach that uses images (‘the iModes’) to teach teams how to work with extreme emotional states and behaviors.
In 2018, Dr. Bernstein created the “train-the-trainers” program, which accredits professionals to become SafePath trainers/coaches, providing training and coaching teams within their organizations. In 2020, SafePath moved online to meet growing demand worldwide. We now accredit SafePath trainer/coaches through our 28-hour, online train-the-trainers courses in English and Dutch. We provide consultation to organizations; ongoing support to our train-the-trainers graduates via advanced training courses and supervision; and certification and opportunities for further growth and development for the professional staff who take SafePath training courses within their organizations.
The SafePath Institute is a CRKBO-registered organization, which allows us to offer our courses free of VAT. In addition, our courses are also accredited by the Stichting Kwaliteitsregister Jeugd (SKJ). The SKJ accredits courses that contribute to the professional development of SKJ-registered professionals. For the completion of the Train-the-Trainers course, 28 SKJ-registration points are awarded.
SafePath Around the World
SafePath is being implemented in many organizations and, increasingly, in different countries. In the Netherlands, where it has been used for more than ten years, SafePath has been successfully implemented in all five forensic youth facilities (“RJJI’s”), including two special treatment units (“ITA’s”) for the most treatment-resistant youth patients. It has also been implemented in closed residential youth care (“OGH Stichting”), forensic hospitals (“FPC de Rooyse Wissel”), addiction centers (“de Hoop GGz”), prisons (“PI Veenhuizen”), and child protective services (“Bureau Jeugdzorg Zuid Limburg”). As our train-the-trainers program has moved online, our certified trainer/coaches have been leading the implementation of SafePath on forensic psychiatric wards in Belgium (“Sint Kamillus”) and Israel (“Mazor Hospital”), and in prison facilities at Correctional Services in New South Wales, Australia. Contact us to add your institution and country to our growing list! You can contact us through this link.
Research
We are committed to ongoing research testing the effectiveness of the SafePath method and implementation model. Our first study of SafePath (van Wijjk-Herbrink et al., 2019) showed that two teams trained in SafePath functioned better, produced a better ward climate, and had less need for severe, physical interventions, compared to two “care-as-usual” teams in a residential facility for youth with externalizing behavior problems. We are currently conducting research on SafePath in other populations and settings, and welcome proposals for collaborative studies.
The Ralph and Janice Bernstein Scholarship
The Ralph and Janice Bernstein Scholarship provides free tuition for qualified candidates who are motivated to become SafePath trainers/coaches but lack the financial resources to do so. We are especially interested in funding individuals representing organizations in under-served communities and countries, where SafePath can have a positive societal impact. To apply for the scholarship, please complete this form.
“My mother, Janice Bernstein, was a civil rights leader and educator, who believed that every person has the ability to make a difference. My father, Ralph Bernstein, was an electronics engineer, who used the methods of science to build things that work. My vision for SafePath combines their qualities: developing scientifically-proven methods that make a difference in people’s lives.”
– Dr. David Bernstein, CEO, SafePath Institute
“Janice and Ralph Bernstein, 1950,
looking towards their future.”
MISSION STATEMENT
Mission Statement
The SafePath Institute promotes the development and dissemination of SafePath, an evidence-based method that trains teams to work with challenging clients in more humane and psychologically-informed ways. SafePath gives people a common language, understanding, and vision that creates healthier lives, institutions, and communities. We support institutions such as psychiatric and forensic hospitals, prisons, addiction centers, youth residences, schools, nursing facilities, community-based programs, and parole, probation, and child protective services. We empower professionals to create working environments that are safe and promote the growth and wellbeing of clients and staff. We support the safe and productive integration of people with mental illness, addiction, and personality and behavior problems into the community. The SafePath Institute is an independent institute not affiliated with other organizations.
The Development of SafePath
SafePath was founded in 2011 by Dr. David Bernstein, formerly Professor of Forensic Psychotherapy at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. While conducting research in Dutch forensic hospitals, he noticed that the professional staff responsible for the day-to-day management of clients often received only minimal training in psychological interventions. He developed SafePath, which combines the principles of Schema Therapy, an evidence-based therapy for personality disorders, and Positive Psychology, to empower professionals to work together more effectively in complex, challenging environments. Over the next ten years, he trained dozens of teams in forensic and mental health settings in the Netherlands, developing an engaging and playful approach that uses images (“the iModes”) to teach teams how to work with extreme emotional states and behaviors.
In 2018, Dr. Bernstein created the “train-the-trainers” program, which accredits professionals to become SafePath trainer/coaches, providing training and coaching teams within their organizations. In 2020, SafePath moved online to meet growing demand worldwide. We now accredit SafePath trainer/coaches through our 28-hour, online train-the-trainers courses in English and Dutch. We provide consultation to organizations; ongoing support to our train-the-trainers graduates via advanced trainings and supervision; and certification and opportunities for further growth and development for the professional staff who take SafePath trainings within their organizations.
SafePath Around the World
SafePath is being implemented in many organizations and, increasingly, in different countries. In the Netherlands, where it has been used for more than ten years, SafePath has been successfully implemented in all five forensic youth facilities (“RJJis”), including two special treatment units (“ITAs”) for the most treatment-resistant youth patients. It has also been implemented in closed residential youth care (“OGH Stichting”), forensic hospitals (“FPC de Rooyse Wissel”), addiction centers (“de Hoop GGz”), prisons (“PI Veenhuizen”), and child protective services (“Bureau Jeugdzorg Zuid Limburg”). As our train-the-trainers program has moved online, our certified trainer/coaches have been leading the implementation of SafePath on forensic psychiatric wards in Belgium (“Sint Kamillus”) and Israel (“Mazor Hospital”), and in prison facilities at Correctional Services in New South Wales, Australia. Contact us to add your institution and country to our growing list! <add link> add button!
Research
We are committed to ongoing research testing the effectiveness of the SafePath method and implementation model. Our first study of SafePath (van Wijjk-Herbrink et al., 2019) showed that two teams trained in SafePath functioned better, produced a better ward climate, and had less need for severe, physical interventions, compared to two “care-as-usual” teams in a residential facility for youth with externalizing behavior problems. We are currently conducting research on SafePath in other populations and settings, and welcome proposals for collaborative studies.
The Ralph and Janice Bernstein Scholarship
The Ralph and Janice Bernstein Scholarship provides free tuition for qualified candidates who are motivated to become SafePath trainers/coaches but lack the financial resources to do so. We are especially interested in funding individuals representing organizations in under-served communities and countries, where SafePath can have a positive societal impact. To apply for the scholarship, please complete this form.
“My mother, Janice Bernstein, was a civil rights leader and educator, who believed that every person has the ability to make a difference. My father, Ralph Bernstein, was an electronics engineer, who used the methods of science to build things that work. My vision for SafePath combines their qualities: developing scientifically-proven methods that make a difference in people’s lives.”
– Dr. David Bernstein, CEO, SafePath Institute