SchemX: Adapting Schema Therapy to meet the needs of the modern world.
SchemXcollective was started by Dr Xi Liu and Dr Nicole Manktelow who met at the 2022 ISST conference in Copenhagen. Upon meeting, they quickly recognised in each other a shared passion to understand the role that society, culture and history can impact on the development and maintenance of mental health struggles.
This passion led to the founding of the SchemXcollective. This collective delves into areas that are pressing for the ever changing world we live in through a schema therapy and sociocultural lens.
The primary goal is to provide opportunities for mental health practitioners to develop skills, share knowledge/experiences, build capacity and connect with others with shared passion in this area. This is mainly done through our events and blogs. The aim is to delve into areas that are pressing for the ever changing world we live in through a schema therapy and sociocultural lens.
Face to face events will often take place in our Sydney location as well as online. These are some of our interest areas for future events. If you would like to speak, participate or collaborate with us, please stay in touch!
Unpacking the myth of the “perfect self sacrificing mother” (all parents are welcome to attend)
Perimenopause - what do we know and why do we want it now!
How to enhance “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” in our mental health profession
Gender Base Violence
Schema Therapy and the AI revolution - how can we use chatbots with care?
Cultural Responsive Practice - how to assess for the Social Critic
Schema Therapy and Gender Affirming Care for Trans and Gender Diverse folks
Maintaining hope in a time of Climate Crisis
The modern masculinity
The International Schema Therapy Society (ISST) define schemas as:
“broad, pervasive themes regarding oneself and one's relationship with others, developed during childhood and elaborated throughout one's lifetime, and dysfunctional to a significant degree."
The early childhood origin of schema development gives familiarity and comfort in our perception of the world. Thus, we warp our interpretation of life events to protect and preserve our schemas.
“Many Schema modes lead us to over or under react to situations and, thus, to act in ways that end up hurting us or others.”
What is Schema Therapy?
The goal of Schema Therapy:
The goal of schema therapy is to help patients get their core emotional needs met. Key steps in accomplishing this involve learning how to:
Stop using maladaptive coping styles and modes that block contact with feelings
Heal schemas and vulnerable modes through getting needs met in and outside of the therapeutic relationship
Incorporate reasonable limits for angry, impulsive or overcompensating schemas and modes
Fight punitive, overly critical or demanding schemas and modes
Build healthy schemas and modes