Photo of Henry Li, Counselor in 11379, NY
Henry Li
Counselor, Henry Li, LMHC, MA
Verified Verified
Flushing, NY 11379
Hello everyone, please welcome and allow me to first begin in thanking you. The choice to start therapy isn’t always easy, sometimes it is the most difficult thing to do is to even consider it, then admit you want/need it before even taking the steps to start, but you are not alone on this journey. Perhaps there has been times that you have found yourself feeling stressed, down, lacking confidence, or stuck in a pattern that no longer serves you. Perhaps you’re ready to take steps toward changes but feel stuck or unsure where to start. Or even feeling lost in your relationships in life or even disconnected from them.
Hello everyone, please welcome and allow me to first begin in thanking you. The choice to start therapy isn’t always easy, sometimes it is the most difficult thing to do is to even consider it, then admit you want/need it before even taking the steps to start, but you are not alone on this journey. Perhaps there has been times that you have found yourself feeling stressed, down, lacking confidence, or stuck in a pattern that no longer serves you. Perhaps you’re ready to take steps toward changes but feel stuck or unsure where to start. Or even feeling lost in your relationships in life or even disconnected from them.
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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.