Schema therapy is a therapeutic modality that focuses on schemas: maladaptive ways of thinking that developed in early childhood. The aim of schema therapy is to help the client understand the specific belief system that causes the client to think, feel, and act the way that they do. In this training, you will learn the basics of schema therapy and why it is such a powerful tool for helping clients undo self-destructive patterns and create a new, healthy relationship with themselves.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- Discuss the framework of schema therapy
- Identify how maladaptive belief systems are categorized in schema therapy
- Differentiate between various schemas
- Express how working with schemas can benefit a client
Syllabus:
Objective #1: Foundations of Schema Therapy
- Understand schema therapy as a model integrating cognitive, experiential, behavioral, and attachment theory
- Recognize schemas as deeply rooted belief systems formed in childhood
- Explore the goals of schema therapy: emotional need awareness, memory processing, and internal reparenting
- Learn how schemas shape self-talk, relational patterns, and worldview
Objective #2: Early Maladaptive Schemas
- Identify the 18 maladaptive schemas first outlined by Dr. Jeffrey Young
- Review the six unmet core emotional needs that lead to schema development
- Understand how schemas form from childhood adversity, temperament, and overcompensation
- Use tools like the Young Schema Questionnaire to explore schema patterns
Objective #3: Schema Categories and Examples
- Explore common schemas including Emotional Deprivation, Abandonment, Mistrust/Abuse, Defectiveness/Shame
- Examine themes such as Social Isolation, Dependence, Vulnerability, Enmeshment, Failure
- Understand relational and behavioral schemas like Subjugation, Self-Sacrifice, Approval-Seeking
- Review performance-based and punitive schemas including Unrelenting Standards, Entitlement, Insufficient Self-Control, Punitiveness
Objective #4: Coping Styles and Modes
- Explore the three primary coping styles: Surrender, Avoidance, and Overcompensation
- Identify how temperament and environment shape schema responses
- Learn about coping modes and how they influence client behavior and therapeutic engagement
- Differentiate between Maladaptive Parent Modes, Child Modes, Coping Modes, and the Healthy Adult Mode
Objective #5: Therapeutic Interventions and Healing Strategies
- Cultivate awareness of current schema activation and identify associated triggers
- Strengthen the Healthy Adult Mode as a source of self-compassion and wise guidance
- Practice key strategies: chair work, guided imagery, limited reparenting, and imagery rescripting
- Use somatic bridge and floating back techniques to access core memories
- Support clients in forming new, empowering belief systems and internal narratives
Objective #6: Reparenting and Integration
- Understand the therapist’s role in limited reparenting as a corrective relational experience
- Guide clients in offering nurturance, validation, and protection to their inner child
- Encourage independent reparenting as clients build their own internal Healthy Adult
- Recognize healing as replacing dysfunctional schemas with supportive and affirming self-talk
Social workers completing this course receive 2 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 2 Clinical continuing education training.
Instructor: Dreya Blume, LCSW
Recording Date: January 25, 2024
CEUS On-Demand, LLC, provider #2274, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/7/2026 - 08/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 2hrs Clinical continuing education credits.
CEUs On-Demand, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
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Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com