Our thoughts, beliefs, and perceptions shape our identity, influencing how we think, interact with others and navigate the world. They define our sense of self, shaping our values and the way we experience life. They hold the power to guide our decisions, yet at times, they can be counterproductive – or even self-destructive.
In these instances, conventional therapy might not help. This is where the schema therapy model can help. Schema therapy uses the concept of core schemas to address the unmet emotional needs of people struggling with psychological issues.
This relatively new type of therapy is based on schemas, a collection of patterns and social constructs that shape our thoughts, beliefs, and concepts about ourselves and those around us.
But how does schema therapy work? How can it help you? In this blog, we explore these questions and more.
What Is Schema Therapy?
Schema therapy, also known as schema-focused cognitive therapy, is an integrative therapeutic approach blending various elements of cognitive, behavioural, attachment, psychodynamic, and gestalt models.
Psychologist Dr Jeffery E. Young developed this integrative therapeutic concept in the 1990s. While this therapy was initially only limited to treating chronic DSM AXIS I disorders and personality disorders, experts soon realised the potential of the schema therapy model. They recommended its application in treating complex, long-term issues, including depression, anxiety, relationship troubles and personality difficulties that are resistant to conventional treatment and prone to relapses.
The goal of schema therapy and its experiential techniques is to convert unhelpful ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving and replace them with healthier and more productive thought and belief patterns.
What Are Schemas and How Does Schema Therapy Work?
Schemas are long-standing patterns or themes relating to thinking and behaviour that you have been using for a while. These ideas and ways of thinking start very early in life and affect our personalities, emotions, memories, perceptions, interactions, and more. Jeffery Young identified 18 different types of schemas.
Schemas and Maladaptive Coping
Every child requires certain basic, core needs while growing up. These include love, safety, nurturing, attention, autonomy, praise, acceptance, empathy, protection and guidance, and validation of needs and feelings. When these needs are not met in childhood, maladaptive schemas are formed. These schemas can develop later in life, often resulting in heightened vulnerability, a pessimistic outlook, and fears of abandonment.
Specific thinking patterns, feelings and behaviors intensify maladaptive schemas. People who struggle with these schemas often develop coping mechanisms to deal with the unpleasant feelings associated with a schema.
Schema Mode Model
Schema modes refer to switching between states of mind. The four types of schema modes include child modes, critic modes, maladaptive coping modes, and healthy adult modes. During schema therapy sessions, therapists use modes to understand unhealthy thoughts and behaviour patterns.
How Does Schema Therapy Work?
Simply put, schema therapy helps you understand why you behave the way you do, allowing you to get in touch with your feelings and attain emotional relief. This therapy is designed to change the negative patterns and beliefs you have lived with for a long time. It also allows you to learn practical and active ways to make better choices for your future self.
The 4 main types of schema modes are:
- Child Modes
- Critic Modes
- Maladaptive Coping Modes
- Healthy Adult Mode
During therapy, the goal is to strengthen the “Healthy Adult Mode” so it can guide and heal the other modes, creating lasting change.
What to Expect in Schema Therapy
The schema therapy approach helps you deal with issues in the long term. The model involves three key stages: assessment, change and behavioural pattern-breaking. Here’s how this would look in a typical session with me:
Assessment
Assessment takes place in the initial sessions, during which I, as your schema therapist, get to know you better. During our interactions, I will use various techniques, including questionnaires, discussions and interviews, to identify and understand what your schemas are, how they developed in childhood and how they affect you.
Change
In this phase, I use schema therapy experiential techniques, such as chair work and imagery work, to help you reframe your past experiences, overcome your maladaptive schemas and further shift your focus towards embracing change for the better.
Pattern Breaking
In the concluding sessions, we will focus on breaking negative patterns and transforming your behaviour. My schema therapy works to reinstall your confidence in your abilities.
Heal Through Schema Therapy with Me, Dr McPhee
Schema therapy can be powerful in tapping into the thought and behaviour patterns you’ve unknowingly developed in childhood, resulting in anxiety, depression, anger management issues, low self-esteem, relationship problems, and other related mental health challenges.
Traditional therapies can be limiting in their ability to help, potentially leaving you with the weight of being labelled with a personality disorder. Instead, the schema therapy model opens the door for understanding and change by clearly identifying the patterns responsible.
I am Dr Sonney Gullu-McPhee, a clinical psychologist with a doctorate in clinical psychology. I have extensive training and experience in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Schema Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Emotion Focused Therapy. As your therapist, I can guide you in changing long-held patterns, allowing you to get a hold back of your life.
Reach out to me for a 15-minute free consultation by call, email or by filling out a form.