Schema Therapy Explained: A Personal Exploration with Bob

Introduction to Schema Therapy

• 💡 Schema therapy is a form of psychotherapy that is not widely known or popular.
• 🧠 Dr. Kirk Honda has been modifying the theory to better understand it and is finding it useful for personal application, with clients, and for therapists to understand their own vulnerabilities and countertransference.
• 🎯 The model involves exploring core emotional needs from childhood, identifying unmet needs, and understanding the development of schemas (deep personality traits) and coping styles.

Exploring Schemas and Modes

• 🧩 Schemas are described as deep personality traits or ways of looking at the world, not just simple perspectives.
• 🎭 Coping styles develop as a way to deal with these schemas.
• 🔄 Modes are more general states that combine schemas and coping styles, representing layers of psychological functioning.
• 🔍 This model aims to help understand vulnerabilities, self-talk, relationship issues, sensitivities, emotions, and needs.

Personal Application of Schema Therapy

• 🤝 Dr. Honda is using this episode to spring the schema therapy model on his friend and fellow therapist, Bob, to see how Bob would apply it to himself.
• 📝 The goal is to find real-life examples to test, expand, and give more life to the theory.
• 🧐 Dr. Honda plans to explore the 18 different schemas put forth by Jeffrey Young, potentially altering or adding to them, and using a modified measure to identify which schemas Bob might have developed early in life.

Episode Details and Support

• 🎙️ This is a rerun episode of The Psychology In Seattle Podcast, recorded on September 6, 2019.
• 🔒 The full episode, including the in-depth discussion and personal schema exploration, is available exclusively to patrons.
• 💰 Listeners are encouraged to become patrons on Patreon to access this and other exclusive content.
• ⚠️ A trigger warning is included, noting potential topics such as assault, trauma, and discrimination, advising listeners to prioritize their well-being.