Have you heard a doctor or therapist recommend Schema Therapy but you don’t know what it is? Here’s our go-to guide.
What is Schema Therapy?
Schema therapy, developed by Dr. Jeffery Young PhD, is a therapy that targets pervasive and long-standing self-beliefs and unhelpful behaviours that developed in childhood and become increasingly entrenched with age.
What are some examples of Schemas?
- Abandonment/Rejection Schema: A pervasive fear that important people will leave or reject you. This can result in trust issues, keeping people at a distance, or needing constant reassurance that you’re loved.
- Defectiveness Schema: An enduring belief that deep down you are unworthy, inferior, or unlovable, resulting in self-blame and an excessive fear of criticism.
- Self-Sacrifice Schema: A pattern of helping others at the expense of your own needs, excessive guilt and feelings of selfishness, and an inability to prioritise self-care (even when unwell).
- Unrelenting High Standards Schema: A belief that you must strive to meet very high standards to avoid criticism. This can result in chronic anxiety, a sense of impending failure, perfectionistic behaviours, and a harsh internal critic.
How does Schema Therapy help?
Schema Therapy targets the origins of these unhelpful beliefs and replaces them with a healthy sense of self. Have you ever felt like a part of you rationally knows something is false, but another part of you still feels it is true (e.g., ‘I know I have friends who love me, but I still feel unlikeable’)? If so, Schema Therapy might be for you. For a short-term problem Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Solution-Focussed Therapy is usually recommended, however, for these long-standing and pervasive self-beliefs and behavioural patterns, Schema Therapy can be more effective.
How do I access Schema Therapy?
Discuss this option with your GP who can write a Mental Health Care Plan referral, allowing you to access a Medicare rebate for your first 10 sessions of each year. Foresight’s principal psychologists, Amy Burton and Andreea Heriseanu, as well as Morag Paterson (counselling psychologist), have completed formal training in Schema Therapy and engage in regular Schema-focussed supervision and professional development.
If you’re looking for a Sydney Schema Psychologist, don’t hesitate to give us a call today at our Ultimo Psychology Clinic. Foresight Psychology Ultimo: 02 8380 8855 / info@foresightpsychology.com
