Schema Therapy
Schema therapy is a form of psychotherapy designed to help people identify and change deep-rooted, problematic patterns (schemas). These schemas often develop in childhood and influence behavior and thinking in adulthood. The main goal is to strengthen the "Healthy Adult" mode to manage harmful schemas and find healthy ways to satisfy core needs.
1. Schemas
Deep-rooted patterns of memories, emotions, and beliefs formed by repeated negative experiences.
2. Modes (States)
Different states or roles a person can take on. They reflect different schemas and influence our behavior and emotions.
3. Vulnerable Child
A child mode in which one feels alone, hurt, frightened, or unloved.
4. Angry & Impulsive Child
Feels angry and frustrated because needs weren't met, or seeks immediate gratification while struggling to follow rules.
5. Happy Child
A positive child mode: One feels safe, secure, loved, and satisfied when all core needs are met.
6. Punitive Parent
An internalized mode that harshly and relentlessly criticizes and punishes oneself or others.
7. Demanding Parent
Has extremely high expectations, applies constant pressure, and demands absolute perfection.
8. Coping: Surrender
Gives in to avoid conflict at all costs, completely ignoring their own personal needs.
9. Coping: Avoidance
Flees from painful feelings or situations, often through emotional detachment, distraction, or numbing.
10. Coping: Overcompensation
Tries to cover up inner weaknesses through extreme behavior such as arrogance, aggression, or controlling tendencies.
11. The Healthy Adult
Solves problems, cares for oneself properly, and balances the other modes. Strengthening this mode is the goal of the therapy.