Schema Therapy – Attachment Repair

The 18 Schemas of Jeffrey Young’s Schema Therapy contextualized with Attachment Theory

Post author:Cedric Reeves
Post published:January 26, 2022
Reading time:3 mins read
Healing Modalities:
Attachment Theory
Schema Therapy

Schemas are emotional beliefs/memories/predictions about self and world.

In this article, we offer our definitions to the 18 early maladaptive schemas and our hypotheses on how they relate to the attachment styles.

Most schemas will be categorized in terms of the dismissing/preoccupied dichotomy.

Note that disorganized attachment implies both dismissing and preoccupied components. For that reason, all of the schemas can be found in disorganized attachment. However, the Mistrust/Abuse schema stands out as a defining schema of the disorganized attachment style.

Tips on Creating a Safe Space for Imaginal Work

Post author:Attachment Repair Student
Post published:August 19, 2021
Reading time:7 mins read
Healing Modalities:
Attachment Theory
Schema Therapy

These tips on creating a safe space for practice were originally shared by a long-term Attachment Repair student in our Slack community.

I wanted to share my process and tips for building an imaginal safe space. I use this space as a foundation for all my attachment/schema work. Basically, that’s where I prepare for the ‘main’ work, and it’s a container and location for imagery. I also use it to hunker down when I feel anxious or overwhelmed, and sometimes to help me fall asleep.

Schema Mode Process diagram

Post author:Cedric Reeves
Post published:August 17, 2021
Reading time:1 mins read
Healing Modality:
Schema Therapy

Influenced by this video: Understanding Schema Therapy and schema modes, interview

The Schema Modes as They Relate to Attachment Styles

Post author:Cedric Reeves
Post published:August 16, 2021
Reading time:7 mins read
Healing Modalities:
Attachment Theory
Schema Therapy

Disclaimer: These are my personal opinions. In this, I am drawing from Jeffrey Young’s work on schema therapy, and attachment theory more generally.

I believe that the attachment styles can be viewed as clusters of schemas and modes; schemas being beliefs about self and world, and the necessary behaviors (modes) that result from those beliefs. The modes represent the coherent behavioral manifestations of the schemas.

Insecure attachment is associated with impaired emotional self-regulation. The coping modes are those emotional regulation strategies that avoid “an even greater suffering”, as Bruce Ecker says.

Schemas as they relate to Attachment Styles

Post author:Cedric Reeves
Post published:July 23, 2021
Reading time:1 mins read
Healing Modalities:
Attachment Theory
Schema Therapy

This list is based on my perspective as to how Jeffrey Young’s ‘Early Maladaptive Schemas’ relate to insecure attachment. More info on the 18 schemas here: http://www.schematherapy.com/id73.htm

General Insecurity

11 – Insufficient Self-Control / Self-Discipline

Dismissing

3 – Emotional Deprivation (central)
4 – Defectiveness / Shame (central)
5 – Social Isolation / Alienation
10 – Entitlement / Grandiosity
17 – Unrelenting Standards / Hypercriticalness
18 – Punitiveness

Preoccupied

1 – Abandonment / Instability (central)
3 – Emotional Deprivation
6 – Dependence / Incompetence
7 – Vulnerability to Harm or Illness
8 – Enmeshment / Undeveloped Self
9 – Failure to Achieve
12 – Subjugation
13 – Self-Sacrifice
14 – Approval-Seeking / Recognition-Seeking
15 – Negativity / Pessimism

Disorganized

1 – Abandonment / Instability
2 – Mistrust / Abuse (central) (additionally: fear and manipulation)
3 – Emotional Deprivation
4 – Defectiveness / Shame
5 – Social Isolation / Alienation
6 – Dependence / Incompetence
7 – Vulnerability to Harm or Illness
8 – Enmeshment / Undeveloped Self
9 – Failure to Achieve
10 – Entitlement / Grandiosity
12 – Subjugation
13 – Self-Sacrifice
14 – Approval-Seeking / Recognition-Seeking
15 – Negativity / Pessimism
17 – Unrelenting Standards / Hypercriticalness
18 – Punitiveness

How to work through the schemas – step by step

Post author:Cedric Reeves
Post published:May 5, 2021
Reading time:1 mins read
Healing Modality:
Schema Therapy

Here is a brief guideline on how to work through the Schemas.

Identify which schemas you have. We will have an assessment program available shortly, but until then you can get a sense for them by reading through a list of them.
Pick the particular schema that you want to work on.
Activate the schema and come into the mental state by bringing up auditory thoughts, image thoughts and body sensations and emotions that are associated with the schema.