Schema Therapy
As humans we all have core emotional needs that need to be met in childhood - the need for love and affection, sensible boundaries, the freedom to express how we feel and ask for what we need, the ability to play and be spontaneous, and a sense of self-identity. When these needs aren’t met, we can start interpreting life events and others' behaviours in unhealthy ways when we reach adulthood, and we may find ourselves stuck in negative patterns in an effort to get these core needs met - often without even realising that we’re doing it. As a result, we might have feelings of self-doubt, struggle with our sense of judgement or independence, have difficulties in relationships, isolate ourselves from others, or engage in harmful behaviour patterns.
In situations like these, schema therapy can be an effective tool that psychologists use to help people discover the origins of their unmet emotional needs, develop a greater sense of self-worth, nurture life-giving relationships, and cope with life’s challenges with newfound strength and resilience.
What Is Schema Therapy?
Schema Therapy is built upon the theory that when our core emotional needs are not fully met when we are a child, we can develop unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour as an adult, which in psychological terms are called maladaptive schemas. Schemas can be triggered when events happening in our current life resemble events from our past. For example, if we hold a schema that other people will not meet our needs, we may often find ourselves in relationships with people who are emotionally neglectful. Or, if we hold a schema that we are different or unaccepted in the world, we may inadvertently isolate ourselves from others.
Psychologists can use schema therapy to help you identify these unhelpful coping styles, and then work with you to process your emotions, find ways to ensure your emotional needs are met in healthy ways, and change harmful patterns of behaviour and ways of thinking.
Who Can Benefit From Schema Therapy?
Schema therapy is mainly used to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD), and can sometimes be used to treat other long-term difficulties that might not respond to other therapies, such as other personality disorders, eating disorders, criminal behaviours, substance abuse, relationship issues, anxiety, and chronic depression.
What Is The Evidence Behind Schema Therapy?
- Research shows that schema therapy is significantly more effective in treating borderline personality disorder than other therapy models. In one study, 70% of people with BPD who received schema therapy experienced a reduction in BPD symptoms, an improved ability to go to work and attend school, a reduction in thoughts of suicide, and a greater ability to reguate their emotions. After 3 years of treatment, nearly half of all participants showed so few symptoms that they no longer met the criteria for BPD.
- In another study, people who received schema therapy for BPD reported that it helped improve their self-understanding and gave them better awareness and management of their own emotional processes.
A to Z Psychology
Copyright © 2023 A to Z Psychology - All Rights Reserved.