Schema Therapy

Schema Therapy is a powerful and integrative approach that helps people understand and shift longstanding emotional patterns that began early in life. It’s particularly helpful if you find yourself stuck in the same painful cycles – in relationships, at work, or in how you feel about yourself – even when you’ve tried to change. Schema Therapy integrates concepts from cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), attachment theory, and experiential techniques, offering a comprehensive and holistic path to long-lasting emotional well-being.

Unlike some short-term therapies that focus on surface-level symptoms, Schema Therapy gets to the root of the issue by identifying deeply held beliefs and emotional themes (called “schemas”) that developed during childhood or adolescence. These schemas can affect how you see yourself, others, and the world – often outside of conscious awareness.

At MyLife Psychologists, our clinicians use Schema Therapy to help you make sense of where these patterns come from, how they’re being triggered in the present, and how to shift them in a compassionate, sustainable way.

Schemas are long-standing, core patterns or themes that shape the way we interpret experiences and relate to others. They’re often based on unmet emotional needs in childhood — such as not feeling safe, valued, loved, or understood.

Some common schemas include:

These schemas can drive behaviours and emotional responses that keep you feeling stuck or distressed – even when your life looks ‘fine’ on the outside.

Schema Therapy helps you:

Your psychologist will use a combination of techniques – including talk therapy, experiential exercises, and imagery work – tailored to your unique needs and pace. Schema Therapy is a structured approach that provides both insight and practical tools for change, helping you to build a more stable and fulfilling sense of self.

Schema Therapy is particularly effective when longstanding patterns seem to be getting in the way of living the life you want. Many people come to Schema Therapy after recognising that the same emotional struggles, behaviours, or relationship issues keep resurfacing – even after other forms of therapy. Schema Therapy been shown to be effective for a wide variety of mental health conditions and psychological challenges, including:

If you often feel unworthy, flawed, or not “good enough,” you may be carrying a core belief that something is fundamentally wrong with you. These deep feelings can stem from early experiences of criticism, neglect, or rejection. Schema Therapy helps you understand where these beliefs came from and begin to develop a more balanced and self-compassionate view of yourself.

When difficult emotions feel constant or overwhelming, it can be a sign that early schemas are being triggered in your current life. For example, feeling abandoned or unsupported in childhood may lead to anxiety in adult relationships. Schema Therapy helps identify these emotional triggers and gives you tools to manage distress more effectively – while addressing the underlying cause.

Do you keep ending up in similar relationships – feeling let down, unappreciated, or anxious – despite your best efforts? Schema Therapy can help you understand the patterns that may be playing out, such as people-pleasing, avoiding intimacy, or attracting unavailable partners. Once you recognise the schema behind the pattern, you can learn new ways to relate and connect with others.

Even if you don’t identify with the word “trauma,” growing up without consistent emotional support can have long-lasting effects. Schema Therapy is particularly effective for individuals who had critical, unpredictable, neglectful, or emotionally unavailable caregivers. It provides a structured yet compassionate way to process those experiences and meet the emotional needs that were missed.

Many people have internal voices that constantly tell them to work harder, be better, or never make mistakes. While these patterns might help with achievement, they often come at the cost of mental health and self-worth. Schema Therapy helps you soften these inner demands and develop healthier, more flexible ways of relating to yourself.

If you find yourself overwhelmed by emotions or responding intensely in certain situations – perhaps with anger, withdrawal, or anxiety — Schema Therapy can help make sense of what’s happening beneath the surface. These reactions often reflect different “modes” (parts of self) that developed as coping strategies. Therapy helps you recognise these modes and regain a sense of control.