New psychologist has recommended Schema therapy

[Diamond25]

Has anyone got any experience of it?

Yes very good. Still relapsed badly a few years down the line.

Thanks could you tell me how the therapy works. What is entailed in a session?

I'm in the process of schema therapy and am finding it very helpful. You basically work with a psychologist to identify modes you go in to (patterns of thoughts, behaviours and schemas) when coping with situations or triggers that are related to unmet needs you have. You so chair work that involves talking to different modes and trying to understand them and what their purpose is. You also do imagery which is thinking of getting angry or upset etc in the here in now and going back to a time that made you feel that way in your past. This identifies unmet needs and the route of a lot of trauma. There are videos on YouTube you can watch and books about it. I have bought a couple to help me map my modes x

Hi Dani18, are you in London? I would like to see a schema therapist as well. I have a lot of childhood trauma, a lot of unmet needs, and life long dysfunctional patterns. I saw one therapist who had some education in schema therapy but he was too directing.

If you don't mind, can I ask you name of your therapist? Many many thanks in advance. Hope your therapy helps you this time x

Hi nofriendinneed, I'm in Scotland, just outside of Glasgow. My psychologist is a counselling psychologist so that may be an important distinction when finding a suitable therapist. My psychologist works for the NHS her name is Dr Sneddon. She is fab, I have been seeing her every 2 weeks since before Christmas and feel more in control of my emotions that I ever have ( I have BPD) I also feel stronger and have even opened up to my OH about the abuse and trauma. Schema therapy isn't for everyone but I do recommend it x

Thank you Dani. I am glad your therapy is helping you.
Is her name Mary Johnstone Sneddon?

My therapist was a counselling psychologist with a lot of great qualities but he was too directing. He would make daily routine for me rather than letting me do. I am ashamed to say I stopped going as I would feel worse after the session. It was mostly CBT and some schema.

Were you diagnosed with BPD by the therapist? I have taken the quiz and got 2 trues.

Although you said you are making progress, and you might not need it at all but this planner is supposed to be excellent for distress tolerance

www.amazon.co.uk/Dialectical-Behavior-Therapy-Wellness-Planner/dp/1936268868/ref=sr_1_19?keywords=dbt+workbook&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1534875953&sr=8-19

Hi
Dan18
Can I ask how you managed to be seeing nhs psychologist for 9 mth?
Ive just started seeing one and already she as said I’m allowed between 12/16 sessions!!!!'
I’m step 4 which is the highest, so why such a short time limit

Thanks

Grandadgirl, Im not sure what the limits are in Scotland but I see her every 2 weeks with a little break for my holiday in June. I've tried a few different things over the years such as CBT, counselling etc and hadn't engaged with services for several years prior to this new referral being placed by my new psychiatrist. My psychologist did say that schema therapy was a long term commitment when we first met and I'm only maybe midway through it now x

Nofriendindeed, no it's Caroline Sneddon I think. He may not have been a good fit for you. Part of the therapy involved quite a lot of trust between you and your therapist so that's potentially why you disengaged.
I initially got diagnosed with PMDD but saw another psychiatrist a few years later who diagnosed me with BPD. I have nearly every symptom although haven't self harmed since I was 19 ( 9 years ago) x