Schema Therapy
at Evolving Minds Counselling and Psychology
Schema Therapy is a structured, evidence based approach that supports people to understand and shift long-standing patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving that no longer serves them.
Schemas are mental frameworks we develop from early life experiences to make sense of ourselves, others, and the world around us. While many schemas are adaptive and support healthy functioning, others can become rigid or negative, particularly when formed in response to unmet emotional needs, trauma, or chronic stress. These unhelpful schemas can influence how we view ourselves, how we relate to others, and how we respond to challenges across our lives.
At Evolving Minds Counselling and Psychology in the Sutherland Shire, our clinicians use Schema Therapy to help clients understand how early experiences and unmet emotional needs influence recurring patterns in how they think, feel, and respond in relationships. Therapy offers a structured and supportive process to recognise unhelpful beliefs, reduce self-defeating behaviours, and build more flexible and fulfilling ways of relating to themself and others.
You might find yourself stuck in patterns such as avoidance, people-pleasing, emotional withdrawal, or perfectionistic behaviours. These patterns often stem from underlying beliefs such as “I must meet impossible standards to be accepted” or “My needs don’t matter.” Schema Therapy helps bring these beliefs into awareness and provides practical tools to challenge and change them within a supportive, respectful therapeutic relationship.
This approach is particularly effective when working with complex trauma, eating disorders, body dysmorphia, chronic depression and anxiety, self-criticism, and challenges in forming or maintaining close relationships.
Schema Therapy combines elements of cognitive, behavioural, and experiential techniques. Therapy may involve exploring childhood experiences, identifying recurring themes, the use of imagery, and the development of healthy coping strategies.
To speak with a member of our team, call (02) 8519 4197 or click the button below to request an appointment.