Behavioral therapy with schema therapy: treating current symptoms of psychological and psychosomatic complaints while taking into account the underlying causes

Schema therapy expands this approach to include the aspect of biographical imprints. It assumes that many chronic emotional problems result from so-called schemas - stable patterns, usually developed in childhood, that have formed from unfavorable experiences in dealing with caregivers. These schemas influence experience and behavior well into adulthood and can be activated in stressful ways, especially in interpersonal relationships or during stress. Schema therapy not only works on these patterns cognitively, but also on an emotional level. Various techniques such as imaginative methods, chair dialogs or working with inner parts are used for this purpose. The aim is to strengthen the so-called “healthy adult self”, which is able to stand up for its own needs and regulate obstructive inner patterns.
This new integrative approach offers great advantages in our private practice for psychosomatic medicine and psychotherapy in Frankfurt. Many patients with psychosomatic complaints suffer not only from physical symptoms, but also from inner conflicts that they are often unable to clearly name or categorize. The combination of behavioral therapy and schema therapy makes it possible to understand and treat the symptoms on both the current and the deeper biographical level.