Schema Therapy

Schema Therapy was developed by Dr. Jeffrey E. Young to help treat personality disorders and other chronic disorders. The term “schema” is used to describe a pattern of thoughts and/or behaviour, a framework for how individuals interpret and view information, and their relation to the world and other people around them. Schemas can be adaptive or maladaptive, and are formed early on in a person’s life. Schema Therapy has been described as integrating cognitive behavioural therapy, psychoanalytic object relations, attachment Theory, and Gestalt therapy. Schema therapy helps clients to identify and address early maladaptive schemas. These have been described by Dr. Young as, “self-defeating life patterns of perception, emotion, and physical sensation” and addressing these help clients to utilise successful coping styles and meet their basic emotional needs.