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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by gazo on April 14, 2007, at 13:28:52
anyone know how i can find info about the negative issues with schema therapy? i am trying multiple search terms in google with no luck. i mean, no therapy approach is perfect, there have to be pitfalls or criticisms right? It sounds perfect for me but i want to know the down side too. i'd rather find journal articles, but for even opinion websites would be helpful.
little help?
Posted by DisTraught on April 14, 2007, at 14:26:02
In reply to criticisms schema therapy, posted by gazo on April 14, 2007, at 13:28:52
gazo, I'm just as curious as you are. Do you think schemaT has been around long enough? Maybe we need to place more focus on what's good about it more than view criticism? Have faith? I'm very, very keen on the idea of schemaT.I can't get any worse:)
Penny
Posted by bil on April 14, 2007, at 14:40:57
In reply to Re: criticisms schema therapy, posted by DisTraught on April 14, 2007, at 14:26:02
I'm curious about this- I'm not familiar with it at all. Have had a quick look, and it sounds very interesting... will have to read up about it.
Is this the type of therapy your new T uses, Gazo?
bil
Posted by gazo on April 14, 2007, at 16:30:09
In reply to Re: criticisms schema therapy, posted by bil on April 14, 2007, at 14:40:57
he does a lot of vanilla CBT as well, but for me he suggested schema. i am very interested and it sounds ideal for me. i have been doing a LOT of reading. Everything from web sites to journal articles.
i think it's relatively new outside of treatment of personality disorders. That is what it was originally developed for.. but it has moved beyond that now. It comes out of CBT but incorporates a little psychodynamic, and gestalt.
you're right Penny, and i am paying attention to the positives. But i am inquisitive by nature and it's the science in me too.. i want to understand it and so i want to know what the objections are.
There is one article i found...dang... the title was something about whether schema should come with a warning label... but it's in a journal that i have to go to this special library to get and i haven't made it there yet.
i just want a well-rounded view. i suppose that some of the criticisms of CBT still apply, just not as many.
if either of you want to discuss schema more i'm up for it.. might as well, i'm doing the reading anyway.
Posted by canadagirl on April 14, 2007, at 17:57:55
In reply to criticisms schema therapy, posted by gazo on April 14, 2007, at 13:28:52
Hi Gazo, hope you are "enjoying" your schema therapy. Well as far as criticisms go, I'm like you, wanted to know everything about it. The best resource I found was "Schema Therapy" a practitioner's guide. I had schema over a year ago and it was quite short term, only a few sessions for a number of reasons, and some online but I found it was very helpful. One of the ideas behind it is the therapist uses "empathetic confrontation" to help change our thinking. The only criticism I can see is that if someone is a particularly fragile person, it may not be for them (being "emphathetically" confronted!). My therapist got quite direct at times.
I did have a few gestalt sessions too another time and it was pretty similar to some of the techniques. The problem is, for me anyway, I don't like people using techniques on me LOL.
So I'm not a very good client. However, the schema, yes, it was great, I hope you get a lot out of it. The "limited reparenting" -- don't get stuck on those words, it just means the therapist is very engaged and human and caring with the client rather than a blank wall.
Posted by gazo on April 15, 2007, at 0:42:35
In reply to Re: criticisms schema therapy » gazo, posted by canadagirl on April 14, 2007, at 17:57:55
when you say empathetically confronted... can you give me an example?
we haven;t started doing anything yet.. we have been doing crisis management instead as i have not been doing so good.
i don't entirely know what he has in mind yet. i think he had originally thought it would be reasonably short but now that he is getting to know me i think he may be seeing that it isn't a short thing
you said just a few sessions.. can i ask how many? and did that help you? i mean,was it enough?
Posted by canadagirl on April 15, 2007, at 14:24:33
In reply to Re: criticisms schema therapy » canadagirl, posted by gazo on April 15, 2007, at 0:42:35
Hi gazo, Schema can be short or long, depending on the situation. I think you will like it. I guess I fell into it, because I went to therapy for a relatively minor presenting problem and after the first session he had me figured out. I couldn't believe it. He could tell what my "schemas" or patterns, were (and I have lots) and hit the nail right on the head. We all have them to a greater or lesser degree. I had 5 "real" sessions, and some online.That wasn't enough, not nearly enough. But it's all I could get at the time. I'd love to find another schema therapist but they are hard to find.
After that was done, I went later to a gestalt therapist for something else (couldn't find a schema t and couldn't go back to that one due to insurance, etc. ) and that was a bit similar but it wasn't nearly as structured and I was bored half the time.
By empathetic confrontation, I mean that the therapist will help you change thought patterns by confronting you with the evidence for whatever schema or pattern it is that he sees, but will do it with compassion. And he'll give you some direction on how to change the patterns.
In this way, it's very good because it's directive and personal. I don't like to just talk about myself without getting some advice or practical assistance on how I can change.
An example for me was, he confronted my unrealistic self sabotaging perfectionist tendencies and I was able to find out where they originated and how to change. I was forcing them on myself and others at all times and at all costs to the detriment of almost everything in my life. The therapist does or should do, a lot of education about schemas to the client.
At first, it was was pretty painful. But it opened up an awareness and a new perspective for me.
This is a very good therapy, I would say, the best as it takes from every model and yet has that personal relationship going on with the therapist. Good luck with it, you are lucky to find a Schema therapist.
Posted by gazo on April 15, 2007, at 14:52:45
In reply to Re: criticisms schema therapy » gazo, posted by canadagirl on April 15, 2007, at 14:24:33
i remember now, you had said once how you couldn't find one and i had been looking up pages in ontario for you. Sorry..i forgot. i'm brain-dead that way.
i got kind of freaked out when i started reading about the schema categories and stuff. i'm a complete nut. i see how they are scored by degrees as well... but it still indicates i'm a nut :/
it doesn't bother me now though.. i mean, i didn't go into this to find out what i had right with me.
once i can get past crisis management i am looking forward to the rest. i saw where it said that the therapist-client relationship was emphasized and i thought that was cool.. i like the guy a lot, and it makes me feel good cuz he wouldn't have suggestd this method if he thought he'd dislike working with me. :o)
hmm.. confrontation.. hmmm. Compassionately or not, i don't do well with it. i worry too because the lit all says that the schemas have to get activated and that scares the crap outta me. He can't do any of that stuff too quickly because i don't trust so easy.
you might try calling around to CBT T's and asking about schema. The guy i am with now does not advertize as schema, just CBT. Since schema came out of CBT there might be some around that do it. Just a thought.
Posted by canadagirl on April 15, 2007, at 15:14:24
In reply to Re: criticisms schema therapy » canadagirl, posted by gazo on April 15, 2007, at 14:52:45
Thanks gazo, no problem I did see the link you posted previously but I don't really have time to go to therapy right now anyway I have too much on my plate already (I need therapy for the lack of therapy in my life ha ha) and schema if it fell into my lap yes I'd go back. But it's too much work to look for right now.
Yes there are 18 categories or schemas, my goodness I think I fit every one of them. But not to worry. Everyone does to some extent.
I'm really sensitive to confrontation too and I hated being shown how my issues are affecting my life. But I think it did me a lot of good. And it was probably more direct for me because we were time limited and we had to get through everything quickly. We did a ton of work in those small number of sessions. I think in your case, it would be more of a subtle type of opening things up slowly and carefully.
The schemas will activate on their own in the sessions, not to worry about this either! The way we respond, act, etc. is all schema driven in a way. The therapist understands that and is careful. But that's how we learn about ourselves and learn methods to change what isn't working in our lives.
Anyway the relationship is most important so feel free to ask him about schema and he will be very honest. I don't like the guided imagery stuff so I didn't do it -- so it seems they will work with you however you want to work. Keep posting on how it is going, I'd be interested to see how you get on with it.
Posted by gazo on April 15, 2007, at 19:19:25
In reply to Re: criticisms schema therapy » gazo, posted by canadagirl on April 15, 2007, at 15:14:24
i absolutely will let you know how it goes. You have raised my hopes. Thanks for being so encouraging. :o)
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