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Schema Therapy was developed by Dr. Jeffrey Young in the early 1990s, and blends elements of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), attachment theory, psychodynamic concepts, and experiential techniques. It is particularly effective for treating personality disorders, chronic depression, and complex psychological issues that have not responded well to other therapeutic modalities. By addressing deep-seated patterns of thinking and behaviour, Schema Therapy targets ingrained patterns that often arise from childhood experiences. Schema therapy focuses on identifying and resolving maladaptive schemas, which are deeply ingrained patterns of thought and behaviour that originate in childhood and can negatively impact mental health and relationships.
Schema Therapy is effective for various complex mental health issues, aiming for deep and lasting changes in individuals’ mental health and overall quality of life. If you’re looking to better understand and work on long-standing patterns in your life, Schema Therapy might be the treatment for you! At Cova, we have a number of Melbourne psychologists who specialise in this therapeutic approach. The following page provides information about Schema Therapy and how it works… Schema Therapy in Melbourne is available with specialized therapists who can help address deep-seated mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and personality disorders.
Schemas are pervasive, self-defeating life patterns that begin early in life and are built upon throughout one’s lifetime. Schemas tend to form a lens with which we view and understand the world around us. Because of this lens, we may emotionally react or respond to the world in certain or similar ways, and as a result these responses or situations may repeat, contributing to various mental health conditions.
Even though schemas persist once they are formed, they are not always in our awareness, usually, they operate in subtle ways. However, when a schema is triggered by our internal or external world, our thoughts and feelings may be dominated by these schemas. These schemas can create or exacerbate mental health challenges, making it crucial to address them through therapeutic interventions.
For a full list and description of the 18 schemas explored in schema therapy: http://www.schematherapy.com/id73.htm
In schema therapy, the therapist first helps the client to identify and understand the schemas influencing their perception, emotional states, and behaviours. As part of this process, the therapist and the client will explore the origins of the clients’ unmet needs where their schemas may have been learned.
Following this, the therapist then aims to help the client recognise how they react to their schemas when they are triggered. Clients learn how to respond to their schemas in ways that are healing, self-enhancing, and meeting one’s emotional needs. This involves learning how to manage the thoughts, urges, and behaviours that are triggered by a schema, whilst moving towards more healthy and helpful ways of relating to oneself and others. This is explored experientially within the therapy room, but may also be worked on outside of appointments as “homework” in between sessions.
In Schema Therapy, it’s believed that unmet core emotional needs in childhood contribute to the development of maladaptive schemas. It is theorised that the 5 basic emotional needs are:
Secure Attachment: The need for safety, stability, nurturance, and acceptance. Children need to feel secure, loved, and accepted by their caregivers to develop a strong sense of trust and security.
Autonomy, Competence, and Identity: The need for independence, to feel competent, and to develop a sense of self. Children need to be encouraged to explore, learn, and make their own decisions to build confidence and figure out who they are.
Freedom to Express Valid Needs and Emotions: The need to express feelings and needs openly. Children should feel free to express their emotions and have their feelings validated and respected by their caregivers.
Spontaneity and Play: The need for play, fun, and spontaneity. Engaging in playful activities and having opportunities for joy and creativity are crucial for a child’s emotional development and well-being.
Realistic Limits and Self-Control: The need for appropriate boundaries and self-discipline. Children require guidance in developing self-control, understanding limits, and learning to manage impulses and behaviours in a healthy way.
When these emotional needs are unmet or not met well enough, maladaptive schemas can develop, leading to difficulties in emotional regulation, relationships, and overall psychological well-being in adulthood. Unmet emotional needs in childhood can also lead to anxiety disorders.
Schema Therapy is particularly effective in treating chronic mental health issues, including borderline personality disorder, by addressing the maladaptive schemas developed in childhood.
In Schema Therapy, as well as schemas, we also will explore modes. Schema therapists use a compassionate and validating approach to help clients reparent themselves and address a variety of psychological issues through tailored sessions. A schema therapist plays a crucial role in helping clients understand and manage their schema modes. Schema modes are the moment-to-moment emotional states and coping responses that we all experience. These modes are parts of our personality that can shift rapidly in response to different situations.
Each mode encompasses a particular set of schemas and coping styles that become activated under specific conditions, often as a way of dealing with distressing emotions or unmet needs. Cognitive behavioural therapy techniques are often integrated into Schema Therapy to address maladaptive schemas, altering negative thought patterns and enhancing the overall therapeutic approach.
Schema modes can be broadly categorized into four groups:
Child Modes: These modes represent the childlike parts of ourselves. These modes tend to reflect the unmet emotional needs from childhood, so often our schemas are most activated in these modes. Child modes include:
Impulsive/Undisciplined Child: Acting out, seeking immediate gratification, and struggling with self-control.
Surrendering: For example, being submissive, people-pleasing, and overly accommodating to avoid conflict or abandonment.
Avoiding: For example, emotionally detaching, numbing with addictions, or actively avoiding to protect oneself from pain.
Over-Compensating: For example, overcompensating for feelings of inadequacy or vulnerability by being controlling, perfectionistic, aggressive, or over-achieving.
Critical Mode: Internal critic that is harsh, punitive, and self-blaming.
Demanding Mode: Sets excessively high standards, expects perfection, and is critical of failure.
The therapeutic process in Schema Therapy involves identifying and understanding the different schemas and modes, recognizing when and why they are activated, and developing healthier ways to think and respond. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can play a significant role in fostering emotional resilience and addressing various mental health issues. Key steps include:
Overall, Schema Therapy is an integrative approach that aims to address the roots of person’s psychological distress. By integrating psychodynamic therapy with Schema Therapy, clients can try to break free from unhelpful patterns, improve emotional regulation, and build healthier relationships. The primary goal of Schema Therapy is to help clients actually meet their core emotional needs in adulthood in more adaptive and fulfilling ways, leading to lasting psychological change and well-being. Through this process, clients can achieve emotional healing and a more fulfilling life, improving their overall quality of life and relationships.
If you found this page helpful, you might also like our blog post which explores the 18 different schemas of Schema Therapy.
At Cova Psychology we provide treatment through a trauma informed lens, and many of our psychologists are trained in Schema Therapy. The psychologists at Cova also receive ongoing specialised Schema Therapy supervision and training. We are passionate about this form of therapy and have seen first hand how transformative and healing it can be.
If you’re looking for Melbourne schema therapy options, the psychologists at Cova Psychology can specifically tailored treatment to you in order to address a range of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and personality disorders.
We provide Schema therapy in person at our Melbourne CBD Clinic to anywhere in Australia via telehealth.
If you’d like more information about Schema therapy or would like to book an Schema therapist at Cova Psychology, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly reception team.
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Let’s discuss your needs and match you with the right Melbourne psychologist.
Let’s discuss your needs and match you with the right Melbourne psychologist
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