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Want more information about our other treatments and our treatment approach? Then check out these pages to learn more about the different types of therapy U-center offers.
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Schematherapy
What is schema therapy? What does it look like? And could it be something for me? The main goal of this form of psychotherapy is for you to change negative schemas or thought patterns into positive ones. This helps you overcome persistent feelings of depression and anxiety.
Who is schema therapy for?
Scientific studies show that schema therapy is an effective form of psychotherapy to treat various mental health conditions. These include depression, anxiety, trauma (PTSD), personality disorders and addictions.
American psychiatrist Aaron Beck wrote about schemas back in the late 1970s. He was one of the founders of cognitive therapy. In the early 1990s, his student Jeffrey Young developed schema therapy on this basis.
Young developed the therapy for personality problems, such as dependency, compulsiveness or antisocial behavior. These are often related to trauma, neglect or major adversity. Also, personality problems often lead to other psychological disorders, such as depression, anxiety or addiction. Thus, schema therapy helps with multiple psychological disorders at the same time(comorbidity). U-center is an expert in this.
What is schema therapy?
With schema therapy, you discover the schemas or patterns in how you see and experience yourself, others and your environment. Those schemas determine your emotions, thoughts, behavior and relationships. Sometimes in such a way that you develop mental health problems because of them. Once you understand what you are doing and why? Then you can begin to change the adverse schemas.
Changing unhealthy schedules
In schema therapy, a schema is the way you organize your thoughts and feelings about a situation. In which category do you place your thoughts and feelings, for example? And what connections do you make between them? Every person uses schemas: otherwise the world would be a big chaos to you. Suppose you see a barrier going down and a bridge going up. Then you know: a boat is coming. Such a schedule starts automatically when the situation arises. Very convenient. But some schedules get in your way.
For example, do you believe that you are inferior? Then you often seek confirmation for that thought. For example, you bring down your positive attributes. Or you might choose a partner who constantly criticizes you. This is how you get into unhealthy states of mind or modes. With schema therapy, you change the unhealthy schemas behind this.
From automatic to conscious
Unhealthy schemas often form early in your life. Did your upbringing or environment not sufficiently meet your normal basic needs, such as feeling safe and belonging? Then you adapted your thinking patterns to this emotional deficit. This can lead to depression, anxiety, panic attacks, addictions, insomnia and other psychological problems later in life.
Often you are not aware of your schedules: they work automatically. Sometimes they are also hidden for a long time. Until a situation comes along that brings them to the surface. Suppose you lose a parent at a young age. Then the feeling "everyone will eventually leave me" can surface in all its intensity during a divorce. This is how many mental disorders arise. You are already vulnerable to something, and with that comes stress "from outside.
With schema therapy, you learn to detect these kinds of unconscious thought patterns. To look at them critically. And to change them into schemas that do make sense to you.
Schematherapy Schemes and Modi
Schematherapy addresses eighteen unhealthy schemas (thought patterns). One or more of these often play a role in developing a mental disorder. For example, "don't let me down," "I don't belong," or "I can't do it alone. When such a schema becomes active, you enter one of twenty modes (states of mind). For example, that of perfectionist over-controller, attention and recognition seeker, or angry child.
These are the adverse schemas and modes on which schema therapy focuses:
1. Emotional neglect - 'I never get what I need'
2. Abandonment/instability - 'Don't let me down'
3. Distrust/abuse - "I can't trust you.
4. Social isolation/alienation - 'I don't belong'
5. Inferiority/shame - 'I am not worth anything'
6. Failure - "I feel like such a failure.
7. Dependence/incompetence - 'I can't do it alone'
8. Vulnerability to illness and danger - 'A disaster could happen at any moment'
9. Entanglement/clutter - 'I feel empty without you'
10. Appropriating rights - 'I am entitled to get everything I want'
11. Lack of self-control/self-discipline - "I have no control over my emotions and impulses.
12. Submission - 'If I don't adapt, something swings'
13. Self-sacrifice - 'I always do it your way'
14. Seeking approval and recognition - 'Others must appreciate me'
15. Emotional inhibition - 'I have to control myself'
16. Compassionate standards/overly critical - 'It's never good enough'
17. Negativity and pessimism - 'There are always problems'
18. Punitive attitude - 'Those who make mistakes should be punished'
1. Vulnerable child - anxious, desperate, sad and inferior
2. Angry or furious child - Intense frustration
3. Raging child - Loss of control
4. Impulsive child - Selfishness and uncontrolledness
5. Undisciplined child - Unwilling and contrary
6. Willless compliant - pent-up anger
7. Detached protector - Disengaged feelings
8. Angry protector - Keeping others at bay with angry attitude
9. Detached self-susser - Seeking distraction in addiction
10. Perfectionist overcontroller - Compulsive controller and hard worker
11. Distrustful overcontroller - Controlling others extremely.
12. Attention and recognition seeker - Theatrical behavior
13. Self-glorifying - Blowing yourself up and belittling others.
14. Bully and attack - Getting ahead of others with bullying, intimidating or attacking
15. Deception and manipulation - Doing anything to avoid punishment or gain an advantage
16. Predator - Taking out 'Dangerous' others in a ruthless way
17. Punishing parent - Punishing yourself harshly for mistakes.
18. Demanding parent - Imposing perfection on yourself.
19. Healthy adult - Positive and nuanced thoughts and feelings, meaningful goals and healthy relationships
20. Happy child - Free, loved and contented
More explanation of schedules and modes? View the Society for Schematherapy's "Overview of Schedules and Modes.
How does schema therapy work?
With schema therapy, a psychologist helps you discover unhealthy patterns (modes) in your life. And to examine how they arose and why they keep recurring (schemas). You summarize the conclusions in a mode model: a diagram with drawings and arrows. This forms the basis for treatment goals and exercises. With it, you learn to think, act and feel differently, so that you fulfill your needs in a healthier way.
So schema therapy is based on the idea that you can change unhealthy thinking patterns or schemas. Many of them include thinking errors, such as generalizations (making something general) or black-and-white thoughts. For example, "I'm not invited to this party, so I'll never be invited. Or, "No one finds me interesting. It is also possible to rewrite experiences in your mind. This is because your brain does not see a difference between fantasy and fact in this process.
Schematherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and psychoanalysis
Schematherapy includes exercises from cognitive behavioral therapy. In that therapy, you scrutinize your negative thoughts and redirect them to positive ones. You also tackle your fears step by step.
In addition to cognitive techniques and behavioral therapy, schema therapy consists of exercises from psychoanalysis. Here the emphasis is on reliving. Think of drama, music and relaxation exercises. These help you gain insight into your deepest thoughts and emotions. Schemas are intertwined with your thinking, behavior and feelings. Therefore, schema therapy focuses on all three areas.
Treatment with schema therapy
Schematherapy comes in different forms: one-on-one, in a group or both. There are also different exercises, such as the multi-chair technique and visual therapy. In the multi-chair technique, there are several chairs in a room. Each chair represents a different side of yourself. When you switch chairs, you empathize with that side. For each chair, you then practice different ways of thinking, acting and feeling.
Imagination exercises focus on "rewriting your story. For example, you go back in your mind to a situation in which you would have liked to feel safe and secure. The psychologist responds warmly and lovingly, as an ideal parent would. This way you still gain the experience that would have helped you in this situation. That often helps you after all. So breaking patterns and changing them, you practice with the therapist and possibly groupmates. And most importantly, you put it into practice at home.