​Schema Therapy is particularly effective for individuals with long-standing emotional difficulties, such as personality disorders, chronic depression, and anxiety. Schema Therapy integrates elements from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), attachment theory, and emotion-focused therapy, making it a comprehensive approach to understanding and changing deeply ingrained patterns in thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.

Schemas are skewed or maladaptive beliefs that a person holds about themselves or the world around them. These beliefs are generally formed in childhood and are often the result of key emotional needs that were consistently unmet.

Some common schemas include :

• Abandonment - The belief that loved ones will leave you.

• Defectiveness/Shame - The belief that there is something fundamentally wrong with you.

• Emotional Deprivation: The belief or expectation that your own emotional needs will not be met.

People develop strategies to cope with these unhelpful schemas, which can provide temporary relief but often result in poorer outcomes, both mentally and physically.

Examples include:

• Avoidance: Steering clear of situations that trigger painful emotions.

• Overcompensation: Acting in an overly confident or controlling manner to mask feelings of inadequacy.

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The goal of Schema Therapy is to replace unhealthy, maladaptive coping modes with healthy alternatives. This is usually referred to as your 'Healthy Adult'. 

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The Healthy Adult represents the part of an individual that is rational, nurturing, and capable of making wise decisions. Understanding this role is essential for the therapeutic process.

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The Healthy Adult serves as a guiding force in Schema Therapy, helping clients navigate their emotional landscape and challenge the influence of maladaptive schemas. By fostering self-awareness, emotional regulation, nurturing, and growth, the Healthy Adult empowers clients to become more resilient and capable of leading fulfilling lives.

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