Schema Therapy in Sydney and Online
Schema Therapy at Head in the Clouds
At Head in the Clouds, our clinicians offer schema therapy, an evidence-based approach for long-standing emotional and relationship patterns. Schema therapy was developed by Dr Jeffrey Young to help people whose difficulties had not fully shifted with standard CBT. It brings together elements of CBT, attachment theory, experiential and emotion-focused therapies.
Our clinicians often integrate schema therapy with EMDR and parts work, particularly when current difficulties are rooted in childhood experiences.
What is schema therapy?
As children, we all have core emotional needs: safety, connection, acceptance, autonomy, and the freedom to express our feelings and play. When these needs are not consistently met, we develop deep beliefs about ourselves and others, called schemas. Examples include "I am not good enough", "People will leave me" or "My needs do not matter".
Schemas often made sense at the time and helped us cope. In adulthood, however, they can be triggered by everyday situations and lead to intense emotions and repeating patterns, such as people-pleasing, self-criticism, avoidance, or choosing relationships that feel familiar but painful.
Schema therapy also works with "modes": the emotional states and parts of ourselves that take over when a schema is triggered. These include vulnerable child parts, harsh inner critic parts, and the protective coping parts that shut down, comply or fight back. The aim is to strengthen a "healthy adult" part that can meet our own needs and respond to life more flexibly.
Schema therapists available now for sessions in our Surry Hills and Newtown clinics, or online via telehealth
What can schema therapy help with?
Schema therapy may be helpful for:
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Long-standing relationship difficulties and repeating patterns
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Low self-worth, shame and harsh self-criticism
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Chronic or recurring depression and anxiety
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Effects of childhood emotional neglect, criticism or trauma, including complex PTSD
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Intense or rapidly changing emotions, fear of abandonment, and an unstable sense of self
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Difficulties that have not shifted with other therapies
How does schema therapy work?
Schema therapy usually begins with a thorough assessment. You and your therapist explore your history, current difficulties and the patterns that keep repeating. Together you develop a shared map of your schemas and modes, which guides the rest of therapy.
Therapy then combines several types of work:
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Experiential techniques, such as imagery rescripting and chair work, which work with painful memories and inner parts at an emotional level, not only through talking.
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Cognitive work to recognise schemas as they are triggered and to question long-held beliefs.
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Behavioural pattern-breaking to practise new ways of responding in relationships and daily life.
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The therapeutic relationship itself, in which your therapist offers a safe, caring and consistent relationship that helps meet needs that were missed earlier in life, within appropriate professional boundaries.
Is there evidence for schema therapy?
Yes. Schema therapy is supported by a growing body of research, including randomised controlled trials. The strongest evidence is for people who experience intense and rapidly changing emotions, unstable relationships, fear of abandonment and an unstable sense of self. There is also promising research for chronic depression, anxiety and other long-standing emotional and relationship difficulties.
Frequently asked questions about schema therapy
How is schema therapy different from CBT?
CBT usually focuses on current thoughts and behaviours. Schema therapy also explores where these patterns began, and it uses experiential techniques and the therapeutic relationship to create change at an emotional level. Many people find it helpful when they understand their patterns intellectually but still feel stuck in them.
How many sessions will I need?
Schema therapy is often a medium- to longer-term therapy, because it addresses patterns that have developed over many years. The length of therapy depends on your goals and history. Your therapist will discuss what to expect early in treatment.
Can schema therapy be done online?
Yes. Schema therapy can be offered in person at our Surry Hills and Newtown clinics or via telehealth.
Why choose Head in the Clouds?
Located in Surry Hills and Newtown, Head in the Clouds provides a welcoming environment for you to access effective treatment.
Our team of experienced and friendly clinical psychologists specialises in using schema therapy to help individuals overcome depression and transform their mental well-being. We offer both in-person sessions at our conveniently located clinic and telehealth appointments for your flexibility.