What is Schema Therapy?
Understanding Schema Therapy
Schema Therapy is an integrative, evidence-based approach developed by Dr. Jeffrey Young that expands on traditional cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to address long-standing emotional and behavioral patterns. It is particularly effective for individuals with chronic mental health difficulties, including personality disorders, depression, anxiety, and relationship issues. Dr. Azhani’s primary therapeutic modality is Schema Therapy, though she adapts her approach to best suit each client’s needs.
What are Schemas?
Schemas are deeply ingrained cognitive and emotional patterns that shape how we perceive ourselves, others, and the world. While schemas help us organize and interpret information, Early Maladaptive Schemas can develop in response to adverse childhood experiences and continue to influence emotions, thoughts, and behaviours in adulthood.'
How Schema Therapy Works at Azhani & Co
Schema Therapy integrates cognitive, behavioral, psychodynamic, and experiential techniques to help individuals break free from negative life patterns. The therapeutic process involves:
Comprehensive Clinical Assessment (50-minute session, may span multiple sessions based on complexity):
A detailed exploration of your personal history, emotional patterns, and key life challenges.
Identifying core maladaptive schemas that may be contributing to distress.
Schema Therapy Questionnaires:
Between sessions, you will complete validated questionnaires to assess which schemas are most dominant in your life.
Collaborative Formulation & Treatment Planning:
Together, we develop a psychological model that explains how your schemas were formed and how they influence your present-day struggles.
The formulation provides a structured roadmap for addressing these schemas in therapy.
Schema Change Techniques:
Cognitive strategies to reframe rigid or negative thought patterns.
Experiential techniques (such as imagery rescripting and chair work) to address unmet emotional needs.
Behavioral interventions to break avoidance patterns and promote healthier responses.
Therapeutic relationship work to provide corrective emotional experiences and build self-compassion.
Why Choose Schema Therapy?
Schema Therapy is particularly beneficial for individuals who:
Feel stuck in recurring emotional or relationship difficulties.
Experience chronic self-doubt, perfectionism, or emotional dysregulation.
Struggle with deep-seated feelings of abandonment, rejection, or failure.
Have tried traditional therapy but need a more structured and emotionally focused approach.
By addressing the root causes of emotional distress rather than just surface-level symptoms, Schema Therapy fosters deep, lasting change. If you are interested in exploring how Schema Therapy can help you, feel free to reach out.
Dr. Azhani is also experienced in practicing other modalities, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and other evidence-based approaches to ensure therapy is tailored to your unique needs.
