What Is Schema Therapy?
Schema Therapy is an advanced form of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) developed by Dr Jeffery Young (PhD) at Columbia University. Schema therapy is designed to help people with long term vulnerabilities and emotional difficulties as well as struggles within ourselves and relationships. Schema Therapy has been seen to be helpful in anxiety disorders, eating disorders, Post Trauma Stress related Disorders (PTSD), Complex Trauma, Substance Abuse issues, Depression and Personality related vulnerabilities such as Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)/traits.
Schema Therapy conceptualises a variety of ‘schemas’ or ‘life traps’ which reflect patterns of thoughts, feelings and behavioural responses, which might reoccur and / or have particularly prominent roles as barriers for a healthy life. A schema therapist helps the client identify their schemas, such as Mistrust, Defectiveness, Self-sacrifice, Unrelenting Standards etc. Schema therapy also helps identify and manage different modes of unhelpful functioning and coping, such as Vulnerable Child, Compliant Surrenderer, Detached protector, Punitive Parent, etc.
The goals of therapy is to help an individual spend more time in their healthy adult mode, where they can self-nurture, self-validate and replace maladaptive coping mechanisms with more adaptive ones. This can overlap and be complementary with ACT and CBT skills. A shared outcome of treatment would offer greater positive responses such as taking responsibility for and committing to healthier choices and actions.
You can read more about Schema Therapy here: