Photo of Sarah Burlar, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in 22408, VA
Sarah Burlar
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Fredericksburg, VA 22408  (Online Only)
Are you stuck in a pattern of unhelpful behaviors and thoughts? Are you using food, alcohol, drugs, sex or gambling, to fill an emotional void? Do you feel exhausted from trying to do everything leaving no time for you? Are you a people pleaser & worry about what other people think of you? I'm an experienced empathetic psychotherapist who can help you unravel your emotional triggers & tap into strengths you may have forgotten you have. We can work on ways to set healthy boundaries & navigate the challenges you face. Together we can confront unhelpful thinking styles and put a more confident you back in charge of your happiness.
Are you stuck in a pattern of unhelpful behaviors and thoughts? Are you using food, alcohol, drugs, sex or gambling, to fill an emotional void? Do you feel exhausted from trying to do everything leaving no time for you? Are you a people pleaser & worry about what other people think of you? I'm an experienced empathetic psychotherapist who can help you unravel your emotional triggers & tap into strengths you may have forgotten you have. We can work on ways to set healthy boundaries & navigate the challenges you face. Together we can confront unhelpful thinking styles and put a more confident you back in charge of your happiness.
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Schema Therapy

How does schema therapy work?

Schema therapy is based on the idea that maladaptive thought patterns formed in childhood—that other people can never be relied on, for example—can interfere with healthy functioning in adulthood. Accordingly, schema therapy works by directly targeting such unhealthy schemas, identifying their consequences, and replacing them with more adaptive ways of thinking. To this end, schema therapists aim to “reparent” the client by offering what they didn’t get in childhood—validation, for instance, or compassion—to reorient their worldview.

Is schema therapy evidence-based?

Schema therapy is still considered relatively new, and research on its efficacy is still in progress. However, some studies have concluded that it can be effective at treating certain mental health conditions, most notably personality disorders such as borderline personality disorder. Evidence for its efficacy in treating conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD is promising but less conclusive, and experts warn that much of the existing research is of low quality.

Is schema therapy a type of CBT?

Schema therapy is based on many principles of CBT, most notably the process of recognizing and challenging maladaptive thought patterns. But because schema therapy also draws from other approaches,including psychoanalysis and Gestalt therapy, it is not considered a form of CBT. It also typically delves deeper into the client’s childhood than does CBT.

How does schema therapy work?

Schema therapy does not call for a set number of sessions and is instead open-ended, with the treatment timeline depending on the client’s primary concern(s), progress, and preferences. Treatment that lasts between six months and two years is common, though many clients will start to see progress much earlier than that.