The Crisi Wartegg System (CWS) is a new methodology for using the WDCT that rigorously scores and interprets the drawings of the clients. Psychologists in Italy, Japan, Scandinavia, South America and, more recently, in the United States frequently use the CWS in psychological assessments. It is also a selection tool of the Italian military. An English manual for the method, including a broad overview of reliability and validity research, was published in 2018.
The CWS complete training consists of 4 levels, of which the last one is optional (i.e., not required for certification):
Level 1 — Learn administration and basics of the test; upon completion you will be able to administer, score the test and make the computations.
Level 2 — Review basic interpretation of calculated indices and scores.
Level 3 — Learn interpretation and clinical conceptualization.
Level 4 (5 days) — (OPTIONAL) Integrate the Wartegg with other measures (e.g., MMPI, PAI, Rorschach) through case consultations. This training is a good way to improve competence and prepare for the certification exam.
Certification is attained after passing a certification exam involving a CWS administration, a test of coding reliability and a test of accuracy of interpretation. These three steps are reviewed by the Italian Institute of Wartegg (IIW: Istituto Italiano Wartegg).
LEVEL 1 (3 days)
Introduction to the Crisi Wartegg System: A New Methodology for the Clinical Use of the Wartegg Drawing Completion Test
Objectives for Level 1. By the end of Level 1, participants will be able to:
Apply personal experience of test completion to clinical work with clients, predicting client reactions, behaviors, and performance
Discuss the history of the WDCT as a performance-based personality assessment
Summarize the empirical and conceptual foundations of the CWS and its potential applications in clinical research and
List the steps required for proper administration of the CWS according to standardized administration
Score the major variables of the
Make CWS computations.
Prerequisite Training. This is an introductory level workshop, open to psychologists and graduate students training to be psychologists. Participants need no previous experience with the CWS, but previous knowledge of other performance-based personality tests will be useful.
LEVEL 2 (4 days)
Diagnostic Meaning and Basic Interpretation
Objectives for Level 2. By the end of Level 2, participants will be able to:
Understand and interpret the diagnostic meaning of the major calculated indices of the WDCT, including the Order of Sequence and Analysis of Sequence 1 and
Identify and interpret the Wartegg Index of Psychopathology (WIP) placement for administered protocols.
Compare client scores to normative data as a basis of clinical interpretation, identifying personality traits, strengths, and
Identify similarities and differences between the US normative sample and the Italian normative sample (understanding cultural factors involved)
Prerequisite Training. The training is open to mental health professionals and graduate students training to be mental health professionals. Attendees must have completed the CWS Level 1 workshop, or have studied independently or consulted with IIW experts.
Level 3 (5 days)
Intermediate Interpretation and Case Conceptualization
The Level 3 workshop focuses on intermediate interpretation and diagnostic meaning of the various indices, percentages, and ratios reviewed and scored during Level 1 and 2 workshops. Interpretation focuses on integration of indices into a client-centered conceptualization, detailing the client’s functioning in the domains of cognitive abilities, reality testing, available energy, affect regulation, and interpersonal skills. Use of the Wartegg as it relates to the Collaborative/ Therapeutic Assessment practice of Extended Inquiry is further examined. Case studies are utilized to apply knowledge throughout the training sequence.
Objectives for Level 3. By the end of this Level 3, participants will be able to:
Demonstrate understanding of the clinical relationship and interactions between CWS indexes and ratios through presentation and discussion of clinical
Interpret information provided in the CWS clinical software to develop person-centered understanding of the client
Identify the specific CWS indexes and ratios relevant to clinical understanding of client’s functioning in cognitive, affective, and interpersonal
Understand potential therapeutic value of CWS administration as intervention, using C/T Extended Inquiry approach to further develop insight and hypotheses.
Prerequisite Training. The training is open to mental health professionals and graduate students training to be mental health professionals. Level 3 participants must have completed the CWS Level 1 and 2 workshops or have studied independently or consulted with IIW experts.
LEVEL 1
Introduction to the Crisi Wartegg System: A New Methodology for the Clinical Use of the Wartegg Drawing Completion Test
4 Online Meetings (each 3h & 30’)
Objectives for Level 1. By the end of Level 1, participants will be able to:
Apply personal experience of test completion to clinical work with clients, predicting client reactions, behaviors, and performance
Discuss the history of the WDCT as a performance-based personality assessment
Summarize the empirical and conceptual foundations of the CWS and its potential applications in clinical research and
List the steps required for proper administration of the CWS according to standardized administration
Score the major variables of the
Make CWS computations.
Prerequisite Training. This is an introductory level workshop, open to psychologists and graduate students training to be psychologists. Participants need no previous experience with the CWS, but previous knowledge of other performance-based personality tests will be useful.
LEVEL 2
Diagnostic Meaning and Basic Interpretation
4 Online Meetings (each 3h & 30’)
Objectives for Level 2. By the end of Level 2, participants will be able to:
Understand and interpret the diagnostic meaning of the major calculated indices of the WDCT, including the Order of Sequence and Analysis of Sequence 1 and
Identify and interpret the Wartegg Index of Psychopathology (WIP) placement for administered protocols.
Compare client scores to normative data as a basis of clinical interpretation, identifying personality traits, strengths, and
Identify similarities and differences between the US normative sample and the Italian normative sample (understanding cultural factors involved).
Prerequisite Training. The training is open to mental health professionals and graduate students training to be mental health professionals. Attendees must have completed the CWS Level 1 workshop, or have studied independently or consulted with IIW experts.
Level 3
Intermediate Interpretation and Case Conceptualization
5 Online Meetings (each 3h & 30’)
The Level 3 workshop focuses on intermediate interpretation and diagnostic meaning of the various indices, percentages, and ratios reviewed and scored during Level 1 and 2 workshops. Interpretation focuses on integration of indices into a client-centered conceptualization, detailing the client’s functioning in the domains of cognitive abilities, reality testing, available energy, affect regulation, and interpersonal skills. Use of the Wartegg as it relates to the Collaborative/ Therapeutic Assessment practice of Extended Inquiry is further examined. Case studies are utilized to apply knowledge throughout the training sequence.
Objectives for Level 3. By the end of this Level 3, participants will be able to:
Demonstrate understanding of the clinical relationship and interactions between CWS indexes and ratios through presentation and discussion of clinical
Interpret information provided in the CWS clinical software to develop person-centered understanding of the client
Identify the specific CWS indexes and ratios relevant to clinical understanding of client’s functioning in cognitive, affective, and interpersonal
Understand potential therapeutic value of CWS administration as intervention, using C/T Extended Inquiry approach to further develop insight and hypotheses.
Prerequisite Training. The training is open to mental health professionals and graduate students training to be mental health professionals. Level 3 participants must have completed the CWS Level 1 and 2 workshops or have studied independently or consulted with IIW experts.
