PositivePsychology.

com

Schemas, Needs, and Modes Reference Sheet

The following three concepts are central to the Schema Therapy model (Young, Klosko & Weishaar, 2007):

■ Schemas – Schemas are “self-defeating emotional cognitive patterns that begin early in our
development and repeat throughout life” (Young et al., 2007). They (positively or negatively)
influence our perception, thinking, and behavior in adulthood.
■ Needs – Our core emotional needs–and whether they are satisfied or not–shapes who we are in
later life.
■ Schema Modes – While some schemas may currently be inactive, those that are, we call our
schema mode.

Psychoeducation is a crucial aspect of Schema Therapy. It provides psychological awareness and teaches
the client that their needs and emotions are normal and understandable (Arntz & Jacob, 2013).

Use the following three tables to explore the key concepts of Schema Therapy with the client (modified
from Young et al., 2007; Arntz & Jacob, 2013):

Five Schema Domains and 18 Schemas

Schema Domain Early Maladaptive Schemas

Disconnection and rejection Abandonment/instability

Mistrust/abuse
Emotional deprivation
Defectiveness/shame
Social isolation/alienation

Impaired autonomy and achievement Dependency/incompetency

Vulnerability to harm and illness
Enmeshment/underdeveloped self
Failure

Impaired Limits Entitlement/grandiosity

Lack of self-control/self-discipline

Other-directedness Subjugation
Self-sacrifice
Approval-seeking

Hypervigilance and inhibition Negativity/pessimism

Emotional inhibition
Unrelenting standards
Punitiveness

Detailed breakdown of schema descriptions.

1
 PositivePsychology.com

Relationship Between Schema Domains and Core Emotional Needs

Schema Domain Core Emotional Needs

Disconnection and rejection Safe attachment, acceptance, care

Impaired autonomy and achievement Autonomy, competence, sense of identity

Impaired Limits Realistic limits, self-control

Other-directedness Free expressions of needs and emotions

Hypervigilance and inhibition Spontaneity, playfulness

Schema Mode Categories

Mode Categories Modes

Dysfunctional child modes Dependent child modes:

Lonely
Abandoned/abused
Humiliated/inferior

Undisciplined child modes:

Angry
Obstinate
Enraged
Impulsive

Dysfunctional parent modes Punitive parent mode

Demanding parent mode

Dysfunctional coping modes Surrender

Avoidance
Overcompensation

Functional healthy modes Happy child mode

Healthy adult mode

Detailed list of mode descriptions.

2
 PositivePsychology.com

References

■ Arntz, A., & Jacob, G. (2013). Schema therapy in practice: An introductory guide to the schema mode
approach. Chichester, West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons.
■ Young, J. E., Klosko, J. S., & Weishaar, M. E. (2007). Schema therapy: A practitioner’s guide. New
York: Guilford.

Dr. Jeremy Sutton

3
 PositivePsychology.com

Schema Triggering and Mode Analysis Logbook

Use the form below to capture schema triggers and schemas (modes) that were active during an
upsetting event.

Describe in your own words the event that upset you:

What were your feelings and emotions? What were your thoughts
(align each to a feeling/emotion on the left)

What did you do? How did you behave?

Which early maladaptive schemas were triggered, if known?

1
 PositivePsychology.com

What modes were active? Circle and describe them

Child Vulnerable Angry/impulsive

Parent Demanding Punitive

Coping Detached protector Detached self-soother

Self-pity Compliant surrenderer

Over-controller Other

What part of your reaction was justified (Healthy Adult mode)?

What part of your reaction was too strong (overreaction)?

How did you misinterpret the situation (cognitive distortions)?

2
 PositivePsychology.com

What was the effect of switching between the different modes?

Healthy Adult response: How could you have responded to the situation that may have led to
a better outcome?

How do you feel about the situation now, having been through this worksheet?

Dr. Jeremy Sutton

3
 PositivePsychology.com

Schema Therapy Flash Card

Schema flashcards are valuable in “summarizing patient’s everyday experiences in terms of schema modes
and their cognitive and emotional implications” (Arntz & Jacob, 2013).

Try completing the following worksheet with your client to identify more functional coping and behavior
(modified from Young, Klosko & Weishaar, 2007):

Identify the current feeling

Right now I feel because

(emotions) (trigger situation i.e. what has happened)

Identify the schema(mode)

However, this is probably the following mode I developed this in my childhood because of

(origin i.e. early life experience)

My typical coping response is

(schema distortions)

1
 PositivePsychology.com

Reality-testing

Even though I think that reality says that

(negative cognition/thinking) (healthy cognition/thinking)

The evidence (proof) in my life supporting

the healthy view includes

(specific life examples)

Alternative behaviors

Therefore, even though I feel like doing I could try to

(dysfunctional/negative behavior) (healthy alternative)

References

■ Arntz, A., & Jacob, G. (2013). Schema therapy in practice: An introductory guide to the schema mode
approach. Chichester, West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons.
■ Young, J. E., Klosko, J. S., & Weishaar, M. E. (2007). Schema therapy: A practitioner’s guide. New
York: Guilford.

Dr. Jeremy Sutton

2
 PositivePsychology.com

Schema Diary

While similar to the schema flashcard, the schema diary is a little more advanced and useful later in
treatment when the client is experienced with the terms.

The worksheet below captures:

■ Trigger events
■ Emotions
■ Thoughts
■ Behaviors
■ Schemas
■ Healthy views
■ Realistic concerns
■ Overreactions
■ Healthy behaviors

The therapist asks the clients to carry the diary with them and to complete it when a schema is triggered.

The form helps them work through the situation and arrive at a healthy solution outside or inside therapy
(modified from Young, Klosko & Weishaar, 2007).

Day:
Time:

Trigger:

Emotions:

Thoughts:

Actual Behaviors:

Schemas:

Healthy View:

Realistic Concerns:

Overreactions:

Healthy Behavior:

1
 PositivePsychology.com

References

■ Young, J. E., Klosko, J. S., & Weishaar, M. E. (2007). Schema therapy: A practitioner’s guide. New
York: Guilford.

Dr. Jeremy Sutton

2
 PositivePsychology.com

Imagery Based Exposure Worksheet

The Imagery Based Exposure worksheet is designed to guide clients through exposing themselves to strong
negative emotions produced by a recent difficult past event. Through exposure to the memory, clients
learn to sit with their discomfort until it begins to subside, thereby learning and practicing acceptance.
Through exposing oneself to all of the feelings and urges felt in a particular situation and surviving this
experience, the power the situation or memory holds reduces.

The Imagery Based Exposure worksheet includes 7 steps:

Imagine

1. Bring to mind a recent memory that provokes a strong negative emotion(s). Try to remember the
situation in as much detail as possible.

Distress level

2. Rate your level of distress (0-100% on personal stress scale).

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Observe

3. Observe the thoughts, emotions, and behavioral urges that show up in response to this memory.

1
 PositivePsychology.com

4. What feelings and emotions showed up in response to this memory?

Exposure

5. Sit with the difficult thoughts, emotions and urges tied to this memory.

Distress level

6. Re-rate your level of distress (0-100% on personal stress scale).

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

7. Continue to sit with the discomfort and re-rate level of distress until the client’s personal stress rating
has reduced to half that of his/her original rating (Step 5).

2
 Coping Modes

Description of the
coping mode

Dr. Jeremy Sutton

Describe the situations
in which it occurs signs that hint at their onset.

Why do you think you

have this coping mode?
Explore Coping Modes

What survival benefit

does it offer?

What NEED does it

answer?

What actions/behavior/
thinking takes place in
this mode?

Are there any early

warning signs?

What happens when I

apply this coping mode?
PositivePsychology.com

1
worksheet to capture when they happen, what emotional needs underlie them, and the early warning
Once the therapist has helped the client become familiar with their coping modes, use the below
 PositivePsychology.com

Explore Maladaptive Modes

Use the following worksheet to help the client better understand their active schemas (schema modes)
and look back at their childhood to understand their origins.

In the present

What happens when this mode

is triggered?

What feelings and bodily sensations

do you have?

What thoughts do you have?

What happens in your relationships

at this time?

Give examples of the sort of things you

say to others when you feel this way

In the past

When do you first remember thinking/

feeling/acting in this way?

What did people say and do that

reinforced this?

What specific memories are important

to this schema mode?

Dr. Jeremy Sutton

1
 PositivePsychology.com

Coping Styles Formulation

The Coping Styles Formulation is a CBT case conceptualisation worksheet that is designed to help therapists
and clients come to a shared understanding of the presenting problem and develop more adaptive coping
strategies.

This worksheet includes 6 steps:

1. Clarifying the presenting problem(s)

2. Identifying the client’s vulnerabilities by considering why the client more likely to experience this
problem(s) than another person

3. Identifying the client’s triggers by considering the stimulus or source of the presenting problem(s)

4. Exploring coping strategies by considering the ways in which the client deals with the effects of
the presenting problem(s)

5. Listing the effects of current coping strategies, including how they make the client feel in the
short-term and long-term, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each strategy

6. Exploring alternative (more adaptive) coping strategies

1
 PositivePsychology.com

How Do I Cope with “The Problem”?

What made me at risk in the first place? What events or triggers occurred just
before “the problem” developed?

What is “The Problem”?

How do I cope with “the problem”?

What things make me feel better, at least temporarily?

How effective are these coping strategies?

What are the pros? And cons?

What else could I do/try to cope?

2
 PositivePsychology.com

Behavioral Pattern Breaking

Use the worksheet below to help the client focus on tasks they expect to cause them distress, based on
prior experience. The client can compare expected versus actual distress scores and use their healthy
alter ego to engage in positive dialogue.
Anything else I noticed?
(including other modes)
What did the Healthy
Adult alter ego do/
say/remind me of
that helped?

(Out of 10)
Distress
Actual

Score
Actual task experience

How did it go?

(Out of 10)
Expected
Distress
Score
Expectation of task

Name
Day / Time

Dr. Jeremy Sutton

1