Schema Therapy

Schema Therapy is an integrative evidence based psychological intervention that is effective in treating a range of chronic problems including depression, PTSD, childhood trauma and personality disorders.

What are schemas and how do they develop?

Schemas are negative feelings and beliefs about oneself, others and the world, and develop during childhood when core emotional needs are not met. Core emotional needs can include the need for secure attachment with other people, the need for safety and predictability, for autonomy and a sense of identity, for acceptance and empathy, the need for freedom of expression and the need to have fun and play. If some or all of these core emotional needs are not met (e.g. due to difficult childhood experiences) then individuals develop and often accept rigid schemas without question. These can include themes such as “I am not good enough”, “I am unlovable” and “people will leave me”. To cope with these unpleasant thoughts and feelings, individuals often engage in maladaptive forms of coping which can result in significant dysfunction in a person’s life such as problematic relationships and difficulties regulating emotions.

What is Schema Therapy?

Schema Therapy is an integrative evidence based psychological intervention that is effective in treating a range of chronic problems including depression, PTSD, childhood trauma and personality disorders. Schema therapy uses elements from a variety of therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Psychoanalytic Therapy, object relations therapy and gestalt therapy with an aim of teaching individuals how to meet their emotional needs in a healthy positive way without needing to engage in maladaptive coping strategies which cause distress. Schema Therapy utilises a combination of cognitive, experiential (i.e. imagery rescripting, chair-work) and behavioural strategies to help an individual break these unhelpful patterns and meet their emotional needs in a healthy way.

Who might benefit from Schema Therapy?

Schemas develop over the course of their lifetime and can be hard to change. For this reason, Schema Therapy often has a longer term treatment focus, particularly with more severe or chronic issues. Schema therapy is particularly well suited to individuals with chronic problems regulating their emotions, and behaviour, and/or those with long standing problems relating to other people. For this reason, schema therapy is particularly effective for people presenting with diagnoses or features of personality disorders, childhood trauma or chronic depression and anxiety. Indeed, Schema Therapy is often provided to individuals who have failed to respond to other therapies as it targets many of the barriers that may hamper progress with standard treatment approaches (i.e. extreme avoidance or detachment).

 Contact us.

  • For general information or enquiries please use the form above or contact us at:

    e: reception@arunapsychology.net

    t: 0413 875 340

    f: (03) 8513 6269

  • 59 Simpson Street
    Northcote
    Melbourne
    VIC, 3070
    Australia

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    Life Line: 13 11 14

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  • Aruna psychology is not a crisis service. If you require additional support outside of your scheduled appointments other options include:

    Attend the emergency department of your nearest hospital

    Contact your GP

    Contact your local crisis assessment team