Schema Therapy - New York Psychotherapy

If you’re looking to uncover the themes driving the negative patterns in your life, Schema Therapy may be right for you.

An oil painting of a tree with falling leaves representing unresolved childhood trauma that can be healed through Schema Therapy at Balanced Mind New York.

What is Schema Therapy?

Schema Therapy is a unified framework comprised of conceptual & technical elements from cognitive behavioral therapy, Gestalt, attachment theory, and object relations. It was specifically developed for those with deep-seated core beliefs (or “schemas”) who tended to relapse their symptomatology following traditional cognitive behavioral treatment.

You can heal your schemas. While we may always have the painful memories of our childhood, Schema Therapy works with the neuroplasticity of our brain to re-wire the way we think about what happened to us in a healthier (and more truthful) way.

schema examples



Shutting down during an disagreement

because you don’t expect to be understood.



Feeling like an imposter

and compensating by overperforming or overworking.



Seeking acceptance from others

at the expense of living true to your self-identity.

Swirling colors representing unresolved childhood trauma that can be healed through Schema Therapy at Balanced Mind New York.

A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF SCHEMA THERAPY

Schema Therapy has four main concepts:

(1) early maladaptive schemas
(2) schema domains
(3) schema modes
(4) coping styles

Early maladaptive schemas are core beliefs we act out on throughout our lives.

Our unmet needs in childhood show up in adulthood as negative life patterns. There are 18 schemas, each reflecting a specific emotional need that wasn’t met in childhood.

Schema domains are how schemas are categorized. These categories reflect the unmet need from which a schema develops. There are five schema domains: (1) Connection, (2) Mutuality, (3) Reciprocity, (4) Flow, and (5) Autonomy

Schema modes are emotional states and coping styles we enter into when our schemas are triggered. Our schema modes lead us to under-react or over-react to situations that end up with feeling deprived and alienate us from loved ones

Coping styles are the ways in which we act out on our schemas that ultimately perpetuate the maladaptive belief. We either surrender to the schema, overcompensate/fight back against it, or avoid triggering situations altogether. We typically have a dominant style for every schema, but it is rare not to express all three coping styles for each schema in some situations.

How Schema Therapy New York Works

Schema requires a deep and trusting bond between you and your therapist. This is unique to traditional CBT and 4th wave therapy models that prioritize learning practical skills over healing the relational wounds that created your negative patterns. After assessing your schemas, the therapist may use the following techniques:

1. Limited reparenting: the corrective experience of the therapeutic relationship serves to provide the emotional needs that went unfulfilled during childhood.

2. Imagery re-scripting: focusing on assisting individuals in re-experiencing and then “re-scripting” distressing or traumatic memories with a more constructive perspective.

3. Chair work: Role-playing exercises where the patient speaks to important people in their life

4. Mode work: substituting negative coping modes with positive, adaptive alternatives.

5. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): behavior modification using methods such as questioning schemas, gradual exposure to fears until they become less intimidating, and cultivating mindfulness to allow emotions to flow through the body rather than avoiding them.

Oil painting of a path through trees toward the sun

The Goal of Schema Therapy New York

Schema Therapy helps you meet your core emotional needs in order to break free of negative life patterns that inhibit growth and frustrate the pursuit of your goals.

In doing so, you are replacing maladaptive schemas and modes with healthy, adaptive schemas and modes.

If you want to get comfortable being uncomfortable, consider Schema Therapy to step into your healthy adult self.

COMMON QUESTIONS

What is the difference between schema therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy?

Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on restructuring negative beliefs (schemas) by way of testing them against reality and substituting them with more accurate thoughts. Schema focuses on healing relational wounds by ways of a corrective relationship with the therapist.

Is schema good for anxiety?

We conceptualize anxiety and other symptoms of psychological distress as the byproducts of early maladaptive schemas. Research has consistently demonstrated a significant efficacy of the treatment of anxiety by schema therapy.

How long will Schema Therapy take?

It depends on your particular needs and goals, but clients typically find resolution of their deep-seated schemas after a year.

Additional resources

https://schematherapysociety.org/Schema-Therapy

Understanding Schema Therapy

References:
Dadomo H, Grecucci A, Giardini I, Ugolini E, Carmelita A, Panzeri M. Schema therapy for emotional dysregulation: theoretical implication and clinical applications. Front Psychol. 2016;7. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01987
Young, Jeffrey E; Klosko, Janet S; Weishaar, Marjorie E (2003). Schema therapy: a practitioner’s guide. New York: Guilford Press. ISBN 9781593853723. OCLC 51053419.
Young, Jeffrey E; Klosko, Janet S (1993). Reinventing your life: the breakthrough program to end negative behavior… and feel great again. New York: Plume. ISBN 9780452272040. OCLC 29563850.

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