Schema Therapy brings together elements of cognitive therapy, behaviour therapy, object relations and gestalt therapy into one unified approach.

A basic assumption of Schema Therapy is that we all require certain core needs to be met as children in order to develop as psychologically healthy adults. When these needs are not met, we can develop schemas that are unhelpful and long-lasting.

In therapy, these patterns are explored and updated. The work focuses on changing and replacing out-of-date, unhelpful schemas with healthier beliefs and behaviours. Because these difficulties are often long-lasting or recurring, Schema Therapy tends to be longer in duration than CBT.