Cognitive Therapy for Personality Disorders:
A Schema-Focused Approach
(3rd Edition)
PRACTITIONER'S RESOURCE SERIES

Part I - SCHEMA-FOCUSED THERAPY:  RATIONALE AND THEORY

RATIONALE

Introduction
Assumptions in Short-Term Cognitive Therapy
Personality Disorders and Cognitive Therapy

• Rigidity

• Avoidance

• Interpersonal Difficulties

SCHEMA THEORY

Early Maladaptive Schemas
Schema Domains and the Origins of Schemas

• Biology and Temperament
• Disconnection and Rejection
• Impaired Autonomy and Performance
• Impaired Limits
• Other-Directedness
• Overvigilance and Inhibition

Schema Processes

• Schema Maintenance
• Schema Avoidance
• Schema Compensation

Part II - SCHEMA-FOCUSED THERAPY:  CASE CONCEPTUALIZATION AND PATIENT ASSESSMENT

OVERVIEW

The Evaluation
Questionnaires
Educating Patients About Schemas
Triggering Schemas

• Imagery

• Current Events

• Past Memories

• Therapeutic Relationship

• Books and Movies

• Group Therapy

• Dreams

• Homework

Confronting Schema Avoidance
Identifying Schema-Driven Behavior
Conceptualizing the Patient in Schema Terms

Part III - SCHEMA-FOCUSED THERAPY:  STRATEGIES FOR CHANGE

OVERVIEW

Cognitive Techniques

• Review Evidence in Support of the Schemas
• Critically Examine the Supporting Evidence
• Review Evidence Contradicting the Schema
• Illustrate How the Patient Discounts Contradictory Evidence
• Develop Flashcards that Contradicts the Schemas
• Challenge the Schema Whenever it is Activated During the Therapy Session or Outside the Session

EXPERIENTIAL TECHNIQUES

INTERPERSONAL TECHNIQUES

BEHAVIORAL TECHNIQUES

CONCLUSION

Appendix A:

• YOUNG SCHEMA QUESTIONNAIRE (Long Form, Second Edition)

Appendix B:

• CLIENT'S GUIDE TO SCHEMA-FOCUSED THERAPY

REFERENCES