Professional Documents
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Therapy
Schema Therapy
Background Notes
Schema Therapy
These interactions are interpreted into painful beliefs and feelings the
child has about itself which it accepts without question
Schema Therapy
The result of being stuck in a life trap is that you maintain parts
of you emotionally functioning as a child.
Schema Therapy
Lifetraps Conitued
A life trap is created when a child puts together a set of memories,
emotions, bodily sensations and cognitions as a plan for adapting
to a familiar condition. This is a reaction to the experience of abuse,
abandonment, neglect or rejection by one or both parents.
This includes all the thoughts, feelings and behaviors that reinforce
the false beliefs. The person’s self and world view becomes a self
fulfilling prophecy.
Schema Therapy
Lifetraps Conitued
Life traps are perpetuated by three primary mechanisms:
Coping style:
The trap is painful so the ego develops another plan to adapt. This
is a coping mechanism that when acted upon reinforces the
trap.
Schema Therapy
Definition of a Schema
A broad, pervasive theme or pattern
Comprised of memories, bodily sensations,
emotions & cognitions
Regarding oneself and one's relationships with
others
Developed during childhood or adolescence,
and elaborated throughout one's lifetime
Dysfunctional to a significant degree
Schema Therapy
Definition of a Schema
A theme, not just a belief
Deeply entrenched patterns, central to one's
sense of self. Usually self-perpetuating.
Erupt when triggered by everyday events
relevant to the schema
Created by Toxic frustration of needs
Traumatization, victimization, mistreatment
Schema Therapy
The level of fulfillment of these core needs in your early childhood is the foundation for how
you function in life now.
5 Schema Domains
Schema Therapy
5 Schema Domains
Disconnection and rejection
Abandonment/instability
Mistrust/abuse
Emotional deprivation
Defectiveness/shame
Social isolation/alienation
Impaired autonomy and achievement
Dependency/incompetency
Vulnerability to harm and illness
Enmeshment/undeveloped self
Failure
Impaired limits
Entitlement/grandiosity
Lack of self-control/self-discipline
Othcr-directcdness
Subjugation
Self-sacrifice
Approval-seeking
Hypervigilance and inhibition
Negativity/pessimism
Emotional inhibition
Unrelenting standards
Punitiveness
Schema Therapy
3. Impaired Limits
People with impaired limits schemas have difficulty accepting normal
limits.
It is hard for them to remain calm and not cross the line,
They often lack the self-discipline to manage their day-to-day lives, studies, or
jobs appropriately.
People with the schema “entitlement/grandiosity” mainly feel entitled and tend
to self-aggrandize.
The schema “lack of self-control/self-discipline” is principally associated with
impaired discipline and delay of gratification.
These schemas are learnt by direct modeling and social learning. Often
patients were spoiled as children, or their parents were themselves spoiled in
their childhoods and/or had problems accepting normal limits.
These schemas can also develop when parents are too strict, when they inflict
too much discipline, and when limits are too narrow. In such situations, these
schemas develop as a kind of a rebellion against limits and discipline in
general.
Schema Therapy
4. Other-Directedness #1
People with other-directedness schemas typically put the
needs, wishes, and desires of others before their own. Most of
their efforts are directed towards meeting the needs of others.
Individuals with a strong “subjugation” schema always try to
adapt their behavior in a way which best accommodates the
ideas and needs of others.
In the schema “self-sacrifice,” the focus is more on an extreme
feeling of responsibility for solving everyone else’s problems;
typically feel that it is their job to make everybody feel good.
Schema “approval-seeking” have as a sole purpose pleasing
others; thus all their actions and efforts reflect that desire, rather
than their own wishes.
Schema Therapy
4. Other-Directedness #2
With regard to the biographical background and development
during childhood, these schemas are often secondary.
The primary schemas are often those from the domain
“disconnection and rejection”. I.e., schemas in the domain
“other-directedness” may have developed to cope with
schemas of disconnection and rejection..
Schema Therapy
18 SCHEMAS
Schema Therapy
18 SCHEMAS
1. ABANDONMENT / INSTABILITY (AB)
The perceived instability or unreliability of those available for support and
connection. Involves the sense that significant others will not be able to
continue providing emotional support, connection, strength, or practical
protection because they are emotionally unstable and unpredictable (e.g.,
angry outbursts), unreliable, or erratically present; because they will die
imminently; or because they will abandon the patient in favor of someone
better.
18 SCHEMAS
3. EMOTIONAL DEPRIVATION (ED)
Expectation that one's desire for a normal degree of
emotional support will not be adequately met by
others. The three major forms of deprivation are:
A. Deprivation of Nurturance: Absence of
attention, affection, warmth, or companionship.
B. Deprivation of Empathy: Absence of
understanding, listening, self-disclosure, or
mutual sharing of feelings from others.
C. Deprivation of Protection: Absence of
strength, direction, or guidance from others.
Schema Therapy
18 SCHEMAS
4. DEFECTIVENESS / SHAME (DS)
The feeling that one is defective, bad, unwanted, inferior, or invalid in important
respects; or that one would be unlovable to significant others if exposed. May involve
hypersensitivity to criticism, rejection, and blame; self-consciousness, comparisons, and
insecurity around others; or a sense of shame regarding one's perceived flaws. These
flaws may be private (e.g., selfishness, angry impulses, unacceptable sexual desires) or
public (e.g., undesirable physical appearance, social awkwardness).
18 SCHEMAS
6. DEPENDENCE / INCOMPETENCE (DI)
Belief that one is unable to handle one's everyday responsibilities in a competent
manner, without considerable help from others (e.g., take care of oneself, solve daily
problems, exercise good judgment, tackle new tasks, make good decisions). Often
presents as helplessness.
18 SCHEMAS
8. ENMESHMENT / UNDEVELOPED SELF (EM)
Excessive emotional involvement and closeness with
one or more significant others (often parents), at the
expense of full individuation or normal social
development. Often involves the belief that at least
one of the enmeshed individuals cannot survive or
be happy without the constant support of the other.
May also include feelings of being smothered by, or
fused with, others OR insufficient individual identity.
Often experienced as a feeling of emptiness and
floundering, having no direction, or in extreme cases
questioning one's existence.
Schema Therapy
18 SCHEMAS
9. FAILURE TO ACHIEVE (FA)
The belief that one has failed, will inevitably fail, or is fundamentally inadequate
relative to one's peers, in areas of achievement (school, career, sports, etc.).
Often involves beliefs that one is stupid, inept, untalented, ignorant, lower in
status, less successful than others, etc.
Schema Therapy
Impaired limits
18 SCHEMAS
10. ENTITLEMENT / GRANDIOSITY (ET)
The belief that one is superior to other people; entitled to special
rights and privileges; or not bound by the rules of reciprocity that
guide normal social interaction. Often involves insistence that one
should be able to do or have whatever one wants, regardless of
what is realistic, what others consider reasonable, or the cost to
others; OR an exaggerated focus on superiority (e.g., being
among the most successful, famous, wealthy) -- in order to
achieve power or control (not primarily for attention or approval).
Sometimes includes excessive competitiveness toward, or
domination of, others: asserting one's power, forcing one's point of
view, or controlling the behavior of others in line with one's own
desires---without empathy or concern for others' needs or feelings.
Schema Therapy
Impaired limits
18 SCHEMAS
11. INSUFFICIENT SELF-CONTROL / SELF-DISCIPLINE (IS)
18 SCHEMAS
12. SUBJUGATION (SB)
Excessive surrendering of control to others because one feels coerced - -
usually to avoid anger, retaliation, or abandonment. The two major forms of
subjugation are:
A. Subjugation of Needs: Suppression of one's preferences, decisions,
and desires.
B. Subjugation of Emotions: Suppression of emotional expression,
especially anger.
Usually involves the perception that one's own desires, opinions, and
feelings are not valid or important to others. Frequently presents as
excessive compliance, combined with hypersensitivity to feeling trapped.
Generally leads to a build up of anger, manifested in maladaptive
symptoms (e.g., passive-aggressive behavior, uncontrolled outbursts of
temper, psychosomatic symptoms, withdrawal of affection, "acting out",
substance abuse).
Schema Therapy
Othcr-directcdness
18 SCHEMAS
13. SELF-SACRIFICE (SS)
18 SCHEMAS
14. APPROVAL-SEEKING / RECOGNITION-SEEKING (AS)
Excessive emphasis on gaining approval, recognition, or attention
from other people, or fitting in, at the expense of developing a
secure and true sense of self. One's sense of esteem is dependent
primarily on the reactions of others rather than on one's own
natural inclinations. Sometimes includes an overemphasis on
status, appearance, social acceptance, money, or achievement
-- as means of gaining approval, admiration, or attention (not
primarily for power or control). Frequently results in major life
decisions that are inauthentic or unsatisfying; or in hypersensitivity
to rejection.
Schema Therapy
18 SCHEMAS
15. NEGATIVITY / PESSIMISM (NP)
A pervasive, lifelong focus on the negative aspects of life (pain,
death, loss, disappointment, conflict, guilt, resentment, unsolved
problems, potential mistakes, betrayal, things that could go
wrong, etc.) while minimizing or neglecting the positive or
optimistic aspects. Usually includes an exaggerated expectation--
in a wide range of work, financial, or interpersonal situations -- that
things will eventually go seriously wrong, or that aspects of one's
life that seem to be going well will ultimately fall apart. Usually
involves an inordinate fear of making mistakes that might lead to:
financial collapse, loss, humiliation, or being trapped in a bad
situation. Because potential negative outcomes are exaggerated,
these patients are frequently characterized by chronic worry,
vigilance, complaining, or indecision.
Schema Therapy
18 SCHEMAS
17. UNRELENTING STANDARDS / HYPERCRITICALNESS (US)
The underlying belief that one must strive to meet very high internalized
standards of behavior and performance, usually to avoid criticism. Typically
results in feelings of pressure or difficulty slowing down; and in
hypercriticalness toward oneself and others. Must involve significant
impairment in: pleasure, relaxation, health, self-esteem, sense of
accomplishment, or satisfying relationships.
18 SCHEMAS
16. EMOTIONAL INHIBITION (EI)
The excessive inhibition of spontaneous action, feeling, or communication --
usually to avoid disapproval by others, feelings of shame, or losing control of
one's impulses. The most common areas of inhibition involve: (a) inhibition of
anger & aggression; (b) inhibition of positive impulses (e.g., joy, affection,
sexual excitement, play); (c) difficulty expressing vulnerability or
communicating freely about one's feelings, needs, etc.; or (d) excessive
emphasis on rationality while disregarding emotions.
Schema Therapy
18 SCHEMAS
18. PUNITIVENESS (PU)
The belief that people should be harshly punished for
making mistakes. Involves the tendency to be angry,
intolerant, punitive, and impatient with those people
(including oneself) who do not meet one's
expectations or standards.
Usually includes difficulty forgiving mistakes in oneself
or others, because of a reluctance to consider
extenuating circumstances, allow for human
imperfection, or empathize with feelings.
Schema Therapy
Coping Styles
Schema Therapy
The coping style of each child depends on their unique temperament and
the life trap it is reacting to.
For example, the life trap that you are inherently defective can have three
different coping mechanisms for different situations at different stages of life.
You can look for critical partners and friends, you can avoid getting close to
others or you can have a superior attitude towards others. All these coping
mechanism help suppress the more painful belief of being defective
Schema Therapy
Compliant Surrenderer:
Acts in a passive, subservient, submissive,
reassurance-seeking, or self-deprecating way
towards others out of fear of conflict or rejection.
There are three types of schema avoidance: cognitive, emotional and behavioral.
Cognitive avoidance refers to efforts that people make not to think about upsetting
events. These efforts may be either voluntary or automatic. People may voluntarily choose
not to focus on an aspect of their personality or an event, which they find disturbing.
There are also unconscious processes which help people to shut out information which
would be too upsetting to confront. People often forget particularly painful events.
Behavioral avoidance. People often act in such a way as to avoid situations that trigger
schemas, and thus avoid psychological pain. For instance, a woman with a Failure schema
might avoid taking a difficult new job which would be very good for her. By avoiding the
challenging situation, she avoids any pain, such as intense anxiety, which could be generated
by the schema.
Schema Therapy
Avoidance:-Detached protector
Withdraws psychologically from the pain of
the schemas by emotionally detaching. The
patient shuts off all emotions, disconnects
from others and rejects their help, and
functions in an almost robotic manner. May
remain quite functional
Schema Therapy
Overcompensation Coping
Style
Schema overcompensation. The individual behaves in a
manner which appears to be the opposite of what the
schema suggests in order to avoid triggering the schema. On
the surface, it may appear that the overcompensators are
behaving in a healthy manner, by standing up for
themselves.
Overcompensation:-Attention
and approval seeker
Tries
to get other people's attention and
approval by extravagant, inappropriate
and exaggerated behaviour. Usually
compensates for underlying loneliness.
Schema Therapy
Overcompensation:- Self-aggrandiser
Behaves in an entitled, competitive, grandiose,
abusive, or status-seeking way in order to have
whatever they want. They are almost completely
self-absorbed, and show little empathy for the
needs or feelings of others.
Overcompensation:- Overcontroller:
Attempts to protect self from a perceived or real
threat by focusing attention, ruminating, and
exercising extreme control.
Schema Modes
Schema Therapy
Schema Modes
A “schema mode” is defined as a current
emotional state which is associated with a given
schema.
Schema modes can either change frequently or
be very persistent.
In patients with many different schemas and
intense schema modes, it is often much easier to
address these modes than to refer to the schemas
behind them.
Schema modes are divided into modes
associated with mostly negative emotions and
modes used to cope with these emotions.
Schema Therapy
Schema Modes
“Those schemas, coping responses, or
healthy reactions that are currently active
for an individual”
Schema Modes
1. Child Modes
Child modes are associated with intense
negative emotions such as rage, sadness, and
abandonment.
They resemble the concept of the “inner child,”
which is used in many therapies
A patient with a mistrust/abuse schema, for
example, may feel threatened and at the
mercy of others when they are in the abused
child mode
Schema Therapy
Child Modes
Schema Therapy
Child Modes
Dysfunctional Parent
Modes
Schema Therapy
Parent Modes
Punitive Parent:
The internalized voice of the parent, criticizing
and punishing the patient. They become
angry with themselves and feel that they
deserve punishment for having or showing
normal
Demanding Parent
Continually pushes and pressures the child to
meet excessively high standards.
Feels that the`right` way to be is to be perfect
or achieve at a very high level, to keep
everything in order, to strive for high status, to
be humble, to put other needs before one's
own or to be efficient Or avoid wasting time.
The person feels that it is wrong to express
feelings or to act spontaneously
Schema Therapy
Healthy Adult
This mode performs appropriate adult
functions such as obtaining information,
evaluating, problem-solving, working,
parenting. Takes responsibility for choices
and actions, and makes and
keeps to commitments. In a balanced way,
pursues activities that are likely to be
fulfilling in work,
intimate and social relationships, sporting,
cultural and service-related activities.
Schema Therapy
Schema Triggers
Schema Therapy
Schema Triggering
Schemas may lie dormant until triggered by
particular events or situations. For example, in
relationships, a critical or dismissive remark from a
friend or intimate partner may trigger schemas
associated with rejection, abandonment, or abuse.
Hearing about an accident or misfortune may trigger
a schema associated with lack of safety or security.
Schema Triggering
Activation of a schema that is usually dormant can trigger
a sudden rush of intense and confusing feelings. Other
schemas present themselves less intensely. However, once
a schema is active, it strongly shapes our patterns of
perception, interpretation, feeling and behaviour. When
faced with a threat, there are three characteristic patterns
of response which are found in humans and animals.
These are the three Fs: flight, fight and freeze. Thus, if an
animal is attacked by a predator it can try to escape
(flight), try to fight back (fight), or go limp and play dead
(freeze). These three kinds of response can be seen in the
way people respond to cope with the triggering of
schemas.
Schema Therapy
Schema Therapy
Therapists\Clients
Schema Therapy
Pattern-Identification
Focused Life History Interview
Link presenting problems to life pattern
Find emotional links
Discuss patient’s memories from
childhood
Link to current problems when possible
Link parenting behaviors with specific
schemas
Schema Therapy
Techniques
Techniques
for tackling Schemas can be
broken down into four categories:
Emotive,
Interpersonal
Cognitive
Behavioral
Schema Therapy
Emotive Technique
Emotive techniques encourage clients to experience and express the
emotional aspects of their problem. One way this is done is by having clients
close their eyes and imagine they are having a conversation with the person
to whom the emotion is directed. They are then encouraged to express
the emotions as completely as possible in the imaginary dialogue.
One woman whose core schema was Emotional Deprivation had several
such sessions in which she had an opportunity to express her anger at
her parents for not being there enough for her emotionally.
Each time she expressed these feelings, she was able to distance herself
further from the schema. She was able to see that her parents had their
own problems which kept them from providing her with adequate
nurturance, and that she was not always destined to be deprived.
Or they may write a letter to the other person, which they have no intention of
mailing, so that they can express their feelings without inhibition.
Schema Therapy
Interpersonal Technique
Interpersonal techniques highlight the client’s interactions with other people
so that the role of the schemas can be exposed. One way is by focusing on
the relationship with
the therapist.
They then feel resentment towards the therapist which they display indirectly.
This may lead to a useful exploration of other instances in which the client
complies with others and later resents it, and how they might better cope at
those times.
Schema Therapy
Cognitive Technique
Cognitive techniques are those in which the schema-driven
cognitive distortions are challenged. As in short-term cognitive
therapy, the dysfunctional thoughts are identified and the
evidence for and against them is considered. Then new thoughts
and beliefs are substituted. These techniques help the client see
alternative ways to view situations.
Cognitive technique
After having several of these dialogues the client and therapist can
then construct a flashcard for the client, which contains a concise
statement of the evidence against the
schema.
Behavioral Technique
Behavioral techniques are those in which the therapist assists the client in changing
long-term behavior patterns, so that schema surrender behaviors are reduced and
healthy coping responses are strengthened.
One behavioral strategy is to help clients choose partners who are appropriate for them
and capable of engaging in healthy relationships. Clients with the Emotional
Deprivation schema tend to choose partners who are not emotionally giving. A
therapist working with such clients would help them through the process of evaluating and
selecting new partners.
Then the client gets an opportunity to practice the new behaviors, and to get
feedback from the therapist before changing the behavior in real life situations.
Schema Therapy
SUMMARY
Schema Therapy
Summary
Life traps are unhealthy beliefs that served as adaptations to early painful circumstances in
childhood. These mental traps were created when emotional core needs were not met
appropriately.
These are formed so early in life that they are taken as accurate and truthful ways of seeing
one self and the world.
They consist of broad themes, repeating patterns regarding yourself and your relationship to
life, these are dysfunctional in nature and they keep repeating.
When a person chooses and commits to become increasingly more self aware they realize
their traps and that they arefalse. People notice that they are not inherently defective,
worthless, incompetent failures etc.
As long as a person keeps their life traps as true and accurate representations of themselves
and the world they will not be able to change, heal and become a greater potential of
themselves. This is understandable since the trap was taught to the child through a long
process of indoctrination. (set of beliefs)
Schema Therapy
Summary 2
Once a trap is formed a coping style is also created to avoid experiencing the emotional
pain inside the trap.
The coping styles are many and eventually they group into the familiar sense of self a person
identifies with.
These include all familiar thoughts, emotions, behaviors, kinds of people and circumstances
that they know how to deal with.
The aim of therapy is first of all to introduce psychological awareness of the traps and the
coping styles.
Then add an elaborate understanding of the history that created the trap and the
development of attention and observation skills.
These are necessary to interrupt the automatic trap- the automatic adaptation and the
automatic behavior.
The work to free your awareness from life traps demands committed discipline, skillful support
and an unwavering love for life in its fullest potential