You know it takes more than diagnoses and techniques.
You're sitting across from your patient. Third session. Same issue. She rationally understands what's going on. She knows what she should change. But she doesn't do it.
Do you know this?
- The patient with anxiety disorder who doesn't feel safer despite exposure therapy
- The patient with depression who does all the behavioral activations – and still feels empty
- The client who has intellectually understood everything but can't find emotional access
- The moments when you realize: the classical methods don't reach deep enough
The problem isn't your competence.
The problem is that a level is missing.
The emotional self-competence level. Access to the neurobiological foundation where all change first becomes possible.
Why We Developed ESM
We are Susanne and Arne Salig. For over 10 years, we've worked therapeutically with people in crisis – in clinics, in psychiatric settings, in outpatient practice. And we've experienced the same thing again and again: patients who don't progress. Even though everything was done "right." patients who don't progress. Even though everything was done "right."
So we started researching. Testing. Refining. The result: The Emotion-Based Self-Competence Method (ESM). A method that stands on two neurobiological pillars:
- The Love-Fear Polarity – All human emotions and behaviors can be traced back to these two basic emotions
- The House of Self-Competence - a diagnostic and therapeutic model with 7 foundations of emotional self-competence
Over 1,000 patients treated with this method
Over 10 years of practical experience
Our referencebook will be published in January 2026 by Shaker Verlag
ESM is not just another technique. ESM is the missing level.
What ESM Changes in Your Therapeutic Work
Before
- You work with symptoms and behavioral patterns
- Your patients understand rationally but don't change sustainably
- You use various methods, but the integration is missing
- With complex cases, you hit your limits
After
- You work directly with the emotional foundation level
- You recognize WHY your patients don't progress – and have the interventions for it
- You integrate ESM into your existing approaches (CBT, psychodynamic, etc.)
- You have a clear diagnostic model for treatment planning
Concretely, this means:
✓ Faster results – because you're working at the right level
✓ Sustainable change – because emotional self-competence is the foundation
✓ Clarity in diagnostics – the House of Self-Competence shows you immediately where the patient stands
✓ Over 80 directly applicable interventions – for every self-competence dimension
Training for Therapists
Theoretical Foundations
The Neurobiology of the Love-Fear Polarity
Understand why all human emotions are based on love or fear and what this means for therapy.
The Self-Competence Model
7 dimensions of emotional self-competence: self-awareness, self-acceptance, self-forgiveness, self-responsibility, self-care, self-esteem, implementation.
Emotional regulation and dysregulation
The neurobiological mechanisms behind emotional (dys-)regulation.
12 Modules – Your Path to ESM Practitioner
Module 1: ESM Foundations
Introduction to the method, Love-Fear Polarity, self-competence model
Module 2: Self-Awareness (Foundations)
The basis of all change: learning to perceive and categorize emotions
Module 3: Self-Awareness – Who Am I Really?
Recognizing authentic identity vs. learned patterns
Module 4: Self-Acceptance
From self-criticism to self-acceptance – therapeutic interventions
Module 5: Self-Forgiveness
Therapeutically working with guilt, shame, remorse
Module 6: Self-Responsibility (with Self-Efficacy)
From victim to creator – strengthening responsibility and agency
Module 7: Self-Care (Foundations)
The therapeutic work with needs and boundaries
Module 8: Self-Care Top 3 – Stress Management
Understanding and regulating stress neurobiologically
Module 9: Self-Care Top 3 – Healthy Sleep
Treating sleep disorders through emotional self-competence
Module 10: Self-Care Top 3 – Setting Boundaries / Saying No
Setting boundaries as a therapeutic goal
Module 11: Self-Esteem (incl. Self-Love, Self-Assurance & Self-Confidence)
The complex work with the self-esteem system
Module 12: Implementation into Daily Life
From therapy room into daily life – sustainable integration
Practical Application
Over 80 therapeutic interventions
Directly applicable in your practice – for every dimension of the House of Self-Competence.
Case conceptualization with ESM
Learn to create treatment plans using the self-competence model.
Disorder-Specific Applications:
- Anxiety disorders and panic
- Depressive illnesses
- Trauma-related disorders
- Personality disorders
- Psychosomatic complaints
Integration into Existing Therapy Approaches
ESM complements your work whether CBT, psychodynamic, or other approaches.
Format & Support
350+ Pages of Course Material
All theoretical foundations, interventions, case examples
12 Live Calls (90 minutes each)
Direct exchange with certified ESM trainers, Q&A, supervision
80+ Interventions to Download
Worksheets, instructions, tools for your practice
Case Examples from Clinical Practice
Real cases, real solutions
Self-Study + Live Support
Learn flexibly, receive close guidance
Case conceptualization with ESM
Learn to create treatment plans using the self-competence model.
Your Bonus Content (Value: €500)
Professional Self-Competence Analysis Tool
Automated diagnostic tool with graphic evaluation – use it directly with your patients.
Self-Assessment for Therapists
Strengthen your OWN emotional self-competence – because only those who are competent themselves can lead others.
Deep-Dive Questionnaire
In-depth self-awareness diagnostics for complex cases.
After the Training
Your Certificate
After successful participation and passing the exam, you receive the
ESM Practitioner Certificate (application in therapeutic and medical settings)
Your Network
- Admission to the international ESM Practitioner directory (optional)
- Access to the ESM Practitioner community
- Exclusive continuing education and updates
- Optional recertification and supervision
Your Marketing
Position yourself as ESM-certified therapist
Use the ESM seal in your communication
Appear in the official ESM directory
Who Is This Training For?
✅ Licensed psychotherapists
✅ Physicians with psychotherapeutic orientation
✅ Psychologists in therapeutic practice
The training requires therapeutic foundational knowledge.
Your Investment: € 2.500 (plus VAT)
Start: March 2026 | Spots: Limited
We work with small groups to ensure intensive support. Maximum 20 participants.
Ready to Integrate ESM into Your Therapeutic Practice?
You have two options: Option 1: You register for the waitlist and reserve your spot without obligation. Option 2: Free consultation call if you still have questions.