About Schema Therapy
The Schema Therapy Institutes of NJ-NYC and DC offer consultation, evaluation and psychotherapy, and professional training and supervision to clinicians who are interested in learning and/or becoming certified in schema therapy.
If you are interested in scheduling a consultation/evaluation session, attending a lecture, or obtaining supervision, please click on “Contact” or you can reach Wendy’s assistant (Lauren Kaplow) at (973) 218-1776 x808
What is Schema Therapy?
Schema therapy is an innovative psychotherapy developed by Dr. Jeffrey Young for personality disorders, chronic depression, and other difficult individual and couples problems. Schema therapy integrates elements of cognitive therapy, behavior therapy, object relations, and gestalt therapy into one unified, systematic approach to treatment. Schema therapy has also been effectively integrated with mindfulness, interpersonal neurobiology, ACT, DBT, EMDR, and EFT.
Defining Schemas
and Coping Modes
The most basic concept in Schema Therapy is an Early Maladaptive Schema. We define schemas as: “broad, pervasive themes regarding oneself and one’s relationship with others, developed during childhood and elaborated throughout one’s lifetime, and dysfunctional to a significant degree.” (see: www.schematherapy.com)
Schemas develop in childhood from an interplay between the child’s innate temperament, and the child’s ongoing damaging experiences with parents, siblings, or peers. Because they begin early in life, schemas become familiar and thus comfortable. We distort our view of the events in our lives in order to maintain the validity of our schemas. Schemas may remain dormant until they are activated by situations relevant to that particular schema.
Schema Modes are the moment-to-moment emotional states and coping responses that we all experience. Often our coping modes are triggered by life situations that we are oversensitive to (our “emotional buttons”). Many of these modes lead us to overreact to situations, or to act in ways that end up hurting us.
Goals in Treatment
The goals of Schema Therapy are: to help clients break free from self-defeating patterns and coping styles and thus get back in touch with their core feelings. By learning how to identify and heal their early schemas and adopting healthy coping strategies, they achieve less schema triggering, a reduction in emotional intensity, and more rapid recovery. Eventually they are able to achieve their personal goals and get their emotional needs met in everyday life.
For more information and elaboration please go to: www.schematherapy.com
For Therapists
Schema Therapy Online Community
This online community is a powerful way to stay in touch with other schema therapists around the globe, on a regular basis; to be part of the ever-growing ST community. It is a place to share your ideas and have all of your questions answered, by Wendy and Joan. Whether you are new to ST or an experienced schema therapist we will support your continued learning and help you to stay current on latest developments in ST…from the comfort of your home or office.
Learn Together
Join Our Community
Loving, Leaving, Living With… The Narcissist In Your Life
With Wendy Behary, International Expert on Narcissism and Author of the Best Selling Book, Disarming the Narcissist. This supportive online community is designed for anyone who is currently involved with or still struggling with the leftover residue of being involved with a narcissist. Whether you are trying to effectively engage, trying to leave, or have already ended the relationship and are dealing with the difficult aftermath, or you’re simply not sure what to do… this is for you.
Schema Therapy Training Institute
10 videos, 3 1/2 hours of educational vidoes to improve your practice. This video series is grounded in an understanding, both conceptually and practically, of the essential value of the therapy relationship in schema therapy; not only as a means for creating a safe refuge for connection, empathy, trust, and openness, but also as a context in which schemas and schema modes can become triggered and expeditiously addressed.
Reclaiming Resilience
Healing from Betrayal Trauma
Within our virtual sanctuary dedicated to Betrayal Trauma, we recognize the profound impact that betrayal can have on an individual and their relationships. Our purpose is to cultivate a secure and empathic space, fostering healing, connection, and a sturdy self while navigating the challenges of betrayal.