Schema Handout - Mode Overview

JUNE 2022
SCHEMA MODE THERAPY

Schema Therapy Schema Mode Therapy Overview
Schema Therapy aims to help
people understand the blueprint of
their lives. It explores the way a
person has developed their sense
of self and how they integrate
information. Schema Therapy is
very useful for people who have
had early experiences of trauma or
neglect or for those who often feel
empty, distressed or overwhelmed.
What is a schema?
A schema is like a category for a
core belief. Thus a schema of
Failure will incorporate a core
belief of "I am a failure". While
people can have adaptive and
maladaptive schemas, schema
therapy traditionally only focuses
on the negative ones (because the
good ones don't need to be
changed).
To understand how all of these modes interact, scan the QR code to watch the YouTube clip
How do schemas develop?
Maladaptive schemas develop Schema Modes
when there were unmet childhood Child Modes
needs. Temperament also plays a Vulnerable Child: As children, we are inherently vulnerable. Our physical
role, as those with a hypersensitive
temperament feel things more vulnerability may diminish as we become more adept at defending ourselves,
intensely and are more likely to but our emotional vulnerability never leaves us. This mode refers to our
internalise criticism and emotional perpetual inner child that can always feel vulnerable. This mode is at the core
invalidation. of Schema Mode Therapy as the most important mode.
Schema Mode Therapy
(Farrell, Reiss, & Shaw, 2014) Angry Child: This mode is activated when we sense that the needs of our
Once a schema is activated, we Vulnerable Child have not been met. The function of this mode is to gain
often have specific ways of attention from others to our unmet needs and uses anger to get noticed.
responding. These responses can
be categorised as Modes, which
include particular ways of thinking,
feeling and behaving. We all have
different facets to our personality, CHILD COPING PARENT
and schema modes explain how
these different parts of us interact, Vulnerability is at the core Different ways of coping The inner voice that can be
almost like different characters of who we are, and we under pressure based on demanding or critical that we
within us. Schema Mode Therapy never grow out of that. Fight/Flight/Freeze. often learnt from childhood.
aims to change maladaptive
schemas through cognitive,
behavioural and experiential
techniques.
THEPSYCHCOLLECTIVE.COM SCHEMA MODE THERAPY OVERVIEW
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Maladaptive Coping Modes: FIGHT
Perfectionistic Overcompensator: The desire to be perfect in everything so that we don’t show our
vulnerability to others. Based on the belief of “If I get everything right, then I can’t fail and no one will see my
weaknesses.”
Suspicious Overcontroller: Based on the belief that "others cannot be trusted," we are constantly looking
for threats. This may mean hypervigilance, contingency planning, making all the decisions or using rituals
or repetitive behaviours (like checking or counting) to feel like we’re coping.
Self-Aggrandiser: The need to emphasise or exaggerate positive qualities or abilities to deflect attention
away from the areas where we feel we are failing. This ‘showing off’ serves to hide feelings of shame and
worthlessness.
Bully/Attack: A way of defending ourselves by lashing out at others, cutting them down so we look better
in comparison or so they learn to leave us alone.
Maladaptive Coping Modes: FLIGHT
Detached Protector: A form of psychological avoidance where we detach from our feelings and what is
going on around us so that we don’t have to feel our vulnerability or distress.
Avoidant Protector: This is more of a behavioural avoidance where we will not show up to places, events
or see people that we fear may trigger our distress or vulnerability.
Angry Protector: This mode uses displays of aggression to drive people away as a form of avoidance.
Complaining Protector: This mode attributes blame to everyone else so that we don't have to take
responsibility for our own actions, and thus avoids feeling vulnerable because nothing is ever our fault.
Detached Self-Soother: When feelings of vulnerability are overwhelming, we do or use something to take
the pain away or to try to feel something else. This may include drinking, drugs, eating, phone use,
shopping, sex or self-harm.
Maladaptive Coping Modes: FREEZE
Compliant Surrenderer: A sense of giving up or giving in to the thoughts that we are going to fail, so we
stop trying, stop fighting and just go along with what others want.
Parent Modes
Demanding Parent: The voice in our head that is pushing us to do better, try harder, be perfect and never
fail. It has a whip and a megaphone and can be relentless in flogging us.
Punitive Parent: The critical voice that puts us down, berates us, and tells us we are worthless, unloveable
or a failure. It is based on previous experiences of being criticised, abused, bullied or neglected. We hear it
so often that it feels true even when there is evidence to the contrary.
Healthy Modes
Happy Child: The source of fun and spontaneity in our lives by making time for enjoyable activities.
Healthy Adult: The stage director for all of the modes who makes skilful coping choices, shuts down the
parent modes, prioritises the child modes and promotes self-esteem.
Developed by Jessica O’Garr for ThePsychCollective.com

Adapted from Farrell, J.M., Reiss, N., & Shaw, I.A. (2014) The Schema Therapy Clinician’s Guide. John Wiley & Sons.
Scan or click on the QR code for the YouTube clip for this handout
Want Here's what you'll get
more?
SCHEMAS AND NEEDS
List of Maladaptive Schemas
List of Revised Maladaptive Schemas
List of Adaptive Schemas
List of Schema Questionnaires
List of Needs
If you found this free worksheet helpful and SCHEMA MODES

want more information then purchase the Schema Mode Overview
Schema Mode Diagram
complete set of worksheets from our website.
This 60 page PDF includes 24 handouts. CHILD MODES
Click here to learn more. Vulnerable Child Mode
Angry Child Mode
FIGHT MODES
Perfectionistic Overcompensator Mode
Suspicious Overcontroller Mode
Self-Aggrandiser Mode
Bully/Attack Mode
FLIGHT MODES
Detached Protector Mode
Avoidant Protector Mode
Angry Protector Mode
Complaining Protector Mode
Detached Self-Soother Mode
FREEZE MODE
Compliant Surrenderer Mode
DYSFUNCTIONAL PARENT MODES

Punitive Parent Mode
Demanding Parent Mode
HEALTHY MODES
Happy Child Mode
Healthy Adult Mode
The Good Parent

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JUNE 2022

SCHEMA MODE THERAPY

Developed by Jessica O’Garr for ThePsychCollective.com

If you found this free worksheet helpful and SCHEMA MODES

DYSFUNCTIONAL PARENT MODES

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