Which type of therapy involves challenging and changing negative core beliefs developed in childhood?
a. Psychodynamic therapy
b. Schema therapy
c. Existential therapy
d. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is b. Schema therapy.
Schema therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and challenging deeply ingrained negative core beliefs, or “schemas,” that are often formed during childhood. These schemas are pervasive patterns of thought and behavior that shape how a person views themselves, others, and the world around them. Schema therapy integrates elements from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and experiential therapies to address these early-life beliefs and their ongoing impact on adult behavior and emotions.
The central premise of schema therapy is that negative schemas formed in childhood, often as a response to unmet emotional needs or traumatic experiences, continue to affect an individual’s functioning in adulthood. These maladaptive beliefs can lead to various psychological difficulties, such as depression, anxiety, or relationship problems. Examples of negative schemas include beliefs like “I am unlovable” or “I am powerless,” which can cause individuals to interpret new experiences through a distorted lens that reinforces these negative beliefs.
In schema therapy, the therapist helps the client identify these maladaptive schemas, understand their origins, and work to change the ways they influence current thoughts and behaviors. Techniques such as cognitive restructuring, experiential exercises (e.g., imagery work), and behavioral interventions are used to challenge and modify these schemas. The therapist also helps the client develop healthier ways of meeting their emotional needs, thereby fostering a more adaptive and positive self-concept.
While cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on addressing negative thoughts and behaviors in the present moment, schema therapy delves deeper into the past to uncover and reshape the deeply rooted beliefs that affect a person’s overall outlook on life.