Schema Therapy in Melbourne
Are you struggling to manage big emotional responses to thoughts you know not to be true but can't help but feel impacted by? Are unhelpful patterns keeping you stuck in your relationships and daily life?​
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If you struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, OCD, or other mental health concerns, our skilled therapists can help you unlearn old coping strategies and develop healthier patterns patterns of behaviour using up-to-date and evidence-based Schema Therapy.
What is Schema Therapy?
Schema Therapy is a form of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) that was developed to help people who didn't respond to traditional CBT. Schema Therapy can help to alleviate difficult and long-term symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), complex trauma, and relationship problems.
It focuses on improving awareness of unhelpful core beliefs (a.k.a. schemas) by identifying: childhood memories, emotions, bodily sensations, thoughts, and coping styles. Once aware of these patterns, Schema Therapy helps you to become less reactive and more in control.
How Schema Therapy differs from CBT
Schema therapy is a type of CBT, but has some important differences:
Greater importance given to relationship between therapist and client
More emphasis on feeling change, rather than just changing your thinking
More focus on childhood experiences (e.g., working with your inner child)
Less focus on symptom reduction, more focus on entrenched patterns
Can expand to longer-term and deeper work
Easily integrated with other techniques (e.g., psychodynamic, mindfulness, somatic)
Our Locations
We offer face-to-face Schema Therapy across two convenient locations in Melbourne and online therapy via telehealth Australia-wide
Schema Therapy FAQs
Who is schema therapy suitable for?
Schema therapy is suitable for individuals dealing with a wide range of challenges, including: trauma, anxiety, depression, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders, adjusting to life changes, or stress. It can also be helpful for people with more complex, long-standing or entrenched difficulties, such as personality disorders.
When is schema therapy helpful?
Schema therapy is a great option to consider if you:
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found traditional CBT unhelpful or limited in its effectiveness
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prefer evidence-based, longer term depth work
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have patterns of difficulty in your relationships
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are aware that you had challenges in your childhood affecting your current life
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prefer therapy more focused on emotions, somatic experiences, and attachment patterns
How long does schema therapy take to work?
It’s hard to say exactly how long schema therapy takes to work, as everyone is different. The number of sessions will depend on a range of factors, including whether you have something else you’re struggling with (e.g., another diagnosis or history of trauma), and how well your environment supports you to change.
Do I need a referral for schema therapy?
No, you don’t need a referral to see a schema therapist. However, if you want to claim Medicare rebates, we recommend discussing your eligibility for a Mental Health Treatment Plan with your GP.