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If you're looking for therapy to address childhood difficulties and current problems in relationships, schema therapy might be for you.
What is schema therapy?
Schema therapy is an evidence-based therapy developed to treat people with long-term patterns of problematic behavior, particularly those associated with various personality disorders. The therapy is influenced by cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) but also integrates elements from attachment theory, gestalt therapy and dynamic therapy, among others. Unlike traditional CBT, schema therapy has a greater focus on childhood experiences and the relationship between the therapist and the client.
The method was developed by psychologist Jeffrey Young, and is a further development of CBT adapted for the treatment of more prolonged and complex problems for which traditional CBT has not proved effective.
What set our therapist apart was her genuine empathy and personal insight. Not only did she possess a deep understanding of neurodiversity, but she also shared personal experiences that resonated with us, creating an instant connection and fostering a sense of trust!
Benedetta Osarenk
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Who can benefit from schema therapy?
Schema therapy can be helpful for different problem areas. These can include destructive relationship patterns, jealousy, fear of rejection and abandonment, trouble controlling emotions and impulses, feelings of emptiness or indifference, an insatiable need for affirmation, and recurrent shame and guilt.
Schema therapy is used to treat people with complex psychological problems, such as personality disorders, relationship problems, chronic depression and anxiety.
What is a schema?
A ‘schema’ is a concept in cognitive psychology that describes different patterns or beliefs you create through your experiences. They are a bit like internal maps. These beliefs about ourselves and the world around us are then the basis for how we act. Unmet emotional needs as a child are met with extreme distress that causes maladaptive beliefs and behaviors.
During treatment, people explore and understand their schemas and develop strategies to challenge and change them. Schema therapists have identified 18 different problematic schemas. The term ‘mode’ in schema therapy refers to specific psychological states that people enter when under extreme stress, such as acting like a child or a critical parent.
The basics of schema therapy are:
- Schemes: Schemes are deeply rooted and stable patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that develop during childhood and shape how an individual interprets and responds to the world. These schemas can be adaptive or maladaptive.
- Basic emotional needs: Schema therapy identifies basic emotional needs, called core needs, that each individual has. Examples of such needs include participation, autonomy and competence.
- Self: The therapy explores how a person’s self-image has been affected by early experiences and how this can lead to negative self-schemes and emotions.
- Parental Mode: Therapy includes the concept of “Parental Mode,” which describes inner voices and attitudes that a person internalizes from their parents and other authority figures.
- Changing schemas: The goal of schema therapy is to identify and change maladaptive schemas and promote the development of more adaptive ways of thinking, feeling, and acting.
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Treatment with schema therapy
An important part of schema therapy is that the client learns to identify and manage their own emotional needs and to develop better ways to meet their needs. It is a comprehensive treatment that focuses on changing the personality and the basic thought patterns inherited from childhood.
Schema therapy includes three treatment phases and is based on emotion-focused techniques, cognitive techniques and strategies to break behavioral patterns. It also includes relaxation training, emotion management and exposure. The therapist treats the individual with empathy, support, safety and warmth. Schema therapy can be conducted in individual therapy or in a group format. The length of treatment depends on the severity of the client’s problems and individual needs.
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12 common questions and answers about schema therapy
What is schema therapy?
Schema therapy is an evidence-based therapy developed to treat people with long-term patterns of problematic behavior.
What is a schema?
Schema is a concept in cognitive psychology that describes different patterns or beliefs you create through your experiences. They are a bit like internal maps.
How does a treatment with schema therapy work?
Schema therapy includes three treatment phases and is based on emotion-focused techniques, cognitive techniques and strategies to break behavioral patterns.
How long is a treatment with schema therapy?
The length of treatment depends on the severity of the client’s problems and individual needs. It is difficult to say exactly how long the treatment will be but often ranges from a few months to several years.
What tools and techniques are used in schema therapy?
The treatment uses cognitive techniques such as restructuring as well as psychoeducation, relaxation training, emotion management and exposure. An empathetic, supportive, safe, and warm relationship with the therapist is also central to schema therapy.
Who can be helped by schema therapy?
Schema therapy is used to treat people with complex psychological problems, such as personality disorders, relationship problems, chronic depression and anxiety.
What is the basis of schema therapy?
The therapy is influenced by cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) but also integrates ideas from attachment theory, gestalt therapy and dynamic therapy, among others.
Can I process my childhood with schema therapy?
Schema therapy is designed to treat difficult childhood experiences.
Can I get schema therapy through Lavendla?
Yes! We have several therapists who specialize in schema therapy. Browse our therapists’ online profiles to find someone who seems like a match.
What is a schema therapist?
A licensed psychologist or psychotherapist who has further training in schema therapy and is qualified to provide the treatment.
Where can I turn if I need help?
You can book a first appointment with one of our therapists here at Lavendla by using our simple online form. We make the hard things easier.
How does schema therapy work?
Here is a general overview of how schema therapy might work:
- Assessment visit: The therapist begins treatment with a thorough assessment to understand the client’s background, past experiences and current problems.
- Psychoeducation: The therapist introduces the client to basic schema therapy concepts and provides insight into how early experiences may have shaped maladaptive schemas.
- Schema identification: Together with the client, the therapist identifies maladaptive schemas and their impact on the client’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
- Exploring origins: The therapist helps the client explore and understand the origins of the problems, often by examining early childhood experiences and relationships.
- Change work: The therapist and client work together to challenge and change maladaptive schemas through cognitive and behavioral strategies. This may include challenging negative self-schemes and building more positive and adaptive ways of thinking about oneself and others.
- Using the “parent mode”: The therapist helps the client become aware of and change the inner voices and attitudes that come from the inner “parent mode,” which can be negative and self-critical.
- Strengthening adaptive schemas: The therapist supports the client in identifying and strengthening adaptive schemas and positive self-schemas.
- Implementation in reality: The client practices and implements the new insights and behavioral patterns in their daily life.
If you or someone close to you is looking for professional help, don’t hesitate to book a session with one of our qualified psychologists or therapists. We make the hard things easier.
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