Schema Therapy
What is it?
Schema therapy (ST) is an integrative and holistic approach that incorporates elements from several other therapeutic frameworks, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Psychoanalytic Therapy, Attachment Theory, experiential therapies.
Schema Therapy is a parts-of-self model that is inspired by and reflects spiritual beliefs of indigenous cultures and incorporates healing principles of collectivity, inter-dependence, storytelling and parts/states to self.
The approach as it is known now was introduced by Jeff Young in 1990 and has been developed and refined since then.
What are the benefits?
Schema therapy is considered an effective way of conceptualising and understanding a person’s experience within their personal, familial, social and historical contexts.
In ST, schemas are patterns of behaviours and thoughts that are mostly developed in childhood and are a representation of survival mechanisms to unmet emotional needs.
The goal of schema therapy is to help people recognise and understand their core emotional needs and support them in finding ways of meeting those needs adaptively; and to decrease the negative effects of their life experiences on their somas and cognitions.
How does it work?
ST focuses on exploration of person’s patterns(schemas), parts (modes) and coping styles to create a collaboration
and understanding between different parts, to learn new more generative ways of meeting their needs and to integrate the change and growth.
It is a relational and attachment-informed model that emphasises the relationship between the therapist and the participant and its potential to support their healing.
Schema Therapy is trauma-focused trauma informed
model. It uses experiential techniques to support people in processing and reframing their adverse life experiences and trauma memories, and to shift their negative core beliefs that may be attached to those experiences.
Schema Therapy appreciates and respects all aspects of human experience - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.
Who is it for?
This approach is known to be helpful in supporting people with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, histories of trauma and personality disorders (such as Borderline Personality Disorder/BPD).
It may be very useful when people encounter challenges in personal and professional relationships and repeat ineffective or 'problematic' behaviours in order to resolve a real or perceived threat.