Table Of Content“Building on the foundation of schema therapy as laid by Jeffrey Young, the authors
bring schema therapy into the third wave of therapies; in context and the actual effects.
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is interweaved throughout the book. It is
for example in the true spirit of schema therapy to take into account different perspec-
tives on the ‘same’ context.”
—Michiel van Vreeswijk, coauthor of The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook
of Schema Therapy and Mindfulness and Schema Therapy
“Therapists today may find themselves asking how they can fit together the plethora of
psychological concepts that bombard them from many directions. Schema therapists
may ask whether schema therapy by itself is enough, or whether they need other therapy
approaches too. The authors of Contextual Schema Therapy show how important con-
cepts that are well articulated within other approaches—such as mentalization, mind-
fulness, acceptance, metacognition, and human values—can be integrated into the
basic schema therapy model. Indeed, many of them are already implicit in it. In addition
to showing the integrative power of the schema therapy model, this book offers a fresh
and readable account of its central ideas and rich clinical examples of their application,
all well-grounded in the current academic and clinical literature.”
—David Edwards, department of psychology, Rhodes University; department
of psychiatry, University of Cape Town; clinical psychologist; certified
schema therapist; president, International Society of Schema Therapy
“Contextual Schema Therapy is groundbreaking in its integration of concepts and inter-
ventions from third wave cognitive therapy models to expand schema therapy while
maintaining the integrity of Young’s model. The structure of the book, with sections on
principles, summary, and therapist tips, keep the model clear and manageable, making
it user-friendly for those new to schema therapy in addition to expert therapists. It bal-
ances theory with practical advice about how to implement schema therapy interven-
tions. The detailed case examples illustrate the application of the model, including
masterful scripts for explaining concepts to clients, and diagrams of the specifics of
interventions. In addition, Contextual Schema Therapy fills a gap by drawing interven-
tions from third wave models to develop the Healthy Adult Mode. I recommend this
book highly for all schema therapists, and congratulate the authors on this important
contribution to the practice of schema therapy.”
—Joan Farrell, PhD, adjunct professor and research director, The Center
for Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment and Research, Indiana
University–Purdue University; director of training and certification,
International Society of Schema Therapy
“This book encompasses all aspects of schema therapy, from the theoretical underpin-
nings and case conceptualization to the emotion-focused, cognitive and behavioral
techniques. In a clear, structured manner, practical suggestions are offered to cope with
the challenging situations therapists face in their clinical practice. This book can be
considered an essential element in the training to become a schema therapist. I enjoyed
the way complex phenomena in therapy are explained with the use of metaphors and
striking illustrations. In a similar transparent way, schema-triggering moments in
session are discussed, and many different strategies are offered to deal with them. This
book bridges the gap between theory and practice, and reflects the current status of
schema therapy.”
—Remco van de Wijngaart, vice president of the International Society
of Schema Therapy; senior schema therapy trainer and supervisor
“A tour de force—this penetrating yet accessible book, written by leaders in the field, is
a must-read for practicing schema therapists. The authors dig deep into the principles
of contemporary third wave therapies and return with innovative advances to Jeffrey
Young’s original model. A core contribution is the many helpful tools on how to con-
ceptualize, build, and reinforce healthy adult functioning. The reader is elegantly
guided along the complex journey that lies at the core of schema therapy—finding a
sensible balance between the potentially competing needs of connection and
autonomy.”
—Poul Perris, MD, founding president of the International Society
of Schema Therapy, and director of the Swedish Cognitive Therapy
Institute, Stockholm
“Schema therapy is the most integrative psychotherapy model of our time, and has a
rapidly accelerating literature. This latest volume explains the entire schema therapy
model, presupposing no prior knowledge, then, pushes the model forward. It adds a new
‘Case Conceptualization Form,’ an expanded theoretical framework, insights from
‘third wave’ and ‘contextual’ psychotherapies, and new and innovative applications of
schema therapy techniques (particularly emotive techniques such as guided imagery
and chair work). It is scholarly, clear, theoretically grounded, and full of clinical exam-
ples. Simply put, you will find this book extremely useful—regardless of your theoretical
orientation.”
—Lawrence P. Riso, PhD, professor of clinical psychology,
American School of Professional Psychology, Northern Virginia
“This cutting-edge guide provides a comprehensive road map for understanding and
implementing schema therapy as a truly integrative and dynamic therapeutic model. The
reader is taken on a journey that interweaves conceptual underpinnings with cutting-
edge theoretical advances, contextualizing it within the framework of second and third
wave psychotherapy approaches. This book connects the dots of the schema therapy
model. Its descriptions bring the powerful schema therapy techniques to life, while pro-
viding a clear pathway to guide the overarching process. This book is an indispensable
text that will appeal to experienced clinicians, as well as those who are simply curious to
learn more about this approach.”
—Susan Simpson, DClinPsych, NHS Lothian, Scotland;
department of psychology, University of South Australia
Contextual
Schema
Therapy
An Integrative Approach to
Personality Disorders, Emotional Dysregulation
& Interpersonal Functioning
Eckhard Roediger, MD
Bruce A. Stevens, PhD
Robert Brockman, DClinPsy
Context Press
An Imprint of New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
Publisher’s Note
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject
matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering psycho-
logical, financial, legal, or other professional services. If expert assistance or counseling is needed, the
services of a competent professional should be sought.
Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books
Copyright © 2018 by Eckhard Roediger, Bruce A. Stevens, and Robert Brockman
Context Press
An imprint of New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
5674 Shattuck Avenue
Oakland, CA 94609
www.newharbinger.com
Figure 1-2, “Photograph of feet in the sand at sunset,” is reproduced with permission from the
work of Angeles Hoffmann.
Cover design by Amy Shoup
Acquired by Tesilya Hanauer
Edited by James Lainsbury
All Rights Reserved
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data on file
Contents
Foreword vi
Introduction—W hy This Bok? 1
1 Conceptual Underpinings 5
2 The Schema Model—Maping the Badlands 25
3 Modes—I n the Present Tense 39
4 From Past Tense to Present Tense—T he Case Conceptualization 57
5 Harnesing the Therapy Relationship 83
6 Dealing with Child, Inner Critic, and Coping Modes 109
7 Building the Healthy Adult Mode 125
8 How to Bring Change 143
9 Imagery Techniques to Induce Mode Change 149
10 Mode Dialogues on Chairs 179
11 Behavior Change Techniques 197
12 Treatment Planing 215
13 Dealing with Dificult Clients 227
14 It Takes Two to Tango—I ncluding the Client’s Partner in Therapy 251
15 Therapist Schemas and Self-C are 259
Epilogue—T raining Opportunities and Resources 273
Afterword 275
References 27
Index 291
Figures
Figure 1–1 . Basic emotions, coping styles, and self-e xpresion 9
Figure 1–2 . An exercise in dual focusing 13
Figure 1–3 . A second exercise in dual focusing 14
Figure 1–4 . Atractors and the energetic landscape 15
Figure 1–5 . The emotional tolerance window 17
Figure 1–6 . Socialization and constitution of the self 20
Figure 3–1 . The mode model 41
Figure 3–2 . C onnecting schemas, schema-c oping styles,
and coping modes in terms of learning processes 53
Figure 3–3 . Maladaptive coping modes and clinical symptoms 55
Figure 4–1 . Genogram for Joane 61
Figure 4–2 . Mode monitoring form for Joane 69
Figure 4–3 . Descriptive mode diagram for Joane 71
Figure 4–4 . Mode map for Joane 75
Figure 4–5 . S chemas, schema coping, coping modes, and ACT
processes integrated into the behavioral analysis system 81
Figure 5–1 . C onnecting the biographical, current life,
and therapy scenes 84
Figure 5–2 . The dimensions of the therapy relationship 86
Figure 5–3 . Siting positions to support emotional activation 87
Figure 5–4 . T herapist and client positions while reflecting
on the proces in a working aliance 90
iv Contextual Schema Therapy
Figure 6–1 . Chair positions according to the mode map 111
Figure 6–2 . Chair positions for empathic confrontation 116
Figure 6–3 . H ow to place the chairs when working with
overcompensators 118
Figure 7–1 . The atention time line 130
Figure 7–2 . Two ways to consistency 134
Figure 7–3 . Values road map 142
Figure 8–1 . Emotional processing using the two-m inds metaphor 144
Figure 8–2 . Steps for lasting change 148
Figure 9–1 . W orking with the two systems of information processing
in imagery (based on Schacter, 1992) 150
Figure 9–2 . The healing process in experiential work 173
Figure 10–1 . Chair positions in historical role-p lay 181
Figure 10–2 . Chair dialogue based on the mode map 185
Figure 10–3 . The vicious cycle of an alarm reaction, and how to escape 194
Figure 11–1 . Joanne’s coping mode tracking sheet 202
Figure 11–2 . J oanne’s schema-m ode flash card
(modified from Young, Klosko, & Weishaar, 2003) 205
Figure 11–3 . Joanne’s talking-b ack diary 207
Figure 11–4 . Joanne’s diary card 208
Figure 11–5 . Joanne’s behavioral activation form 211
Figure 13–1 . Schemas and modes of a narcissistic client 229
Figure 14–1 . The maladaptive mode cycle of Joanne and Brandon 253
Contents v
