Schema Focused Therapy

Schema therapy is an integrative approach that aims to treat personality disorders and other mental health concerns. In schema therapy, individuals work with a therapist to understand unhelpful patterns of thinking, called schemas. Examples of schemas could include “I’m not good enough” or “I’m unlovable”. Schema therapy relies on the idea that we develop negative schemas during our childhood when our emotional needs are not met. Then, these schemas can affect us throughout our lives and contribute to problematic behaviours if not addressed. Schema therapy can help to identify maladaptive life patterns and deep rooted emotional themes, build resilience, and enable the strong parts of your personality. Some of the core needs from childhood that may be addressed in schema therapy is: 

• A sense of safety and being securely attached to caregivers 
• A sense of self-identity and autonomy 
• The freedom to express needs and feelings 
• The ability to play and be spontaneous 
• Safe and age appropriate limits and boundaries