Schema therapy is an integrative approach that combines elements from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), attachment theory, emotion-focused therapy and gestalt therapy. Schema therapy involves four main components:
1. Assessment: Your therapist will use various methods to assess your schemas, such as questionnaires, interviews, imagery exercises and behavioral experiments. You will also explore your life history and identify the origins of your schemas.
2. Cognitive: Your therapist will help you identify and challenge the distorted thoughts and beliefs that stem from your schemas, such as overgeneralizations, catastrophizing or mind-reading. You will also learn to replace them with more balanced and rational thoughts that reflect reality.
3. Experiential: Your therapist will use techniques such as imagery rescripting, chair work and role-playing to help you access and process the emotions associated with your schemas. You will also learn to reframe your past experiences in a more compassionate and empowering way, and to create new positive memories that counteract your schemas.
4. Behavioral: Your therapist will help you change the maladaptive behaviors that result from your schemas, such as avoidance, procrastination or self-sabotage. You will also learn to practice new behaviors that are consistent with your healthy adult mode, which is the part of you that is confident, competent and capable.
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