street sign poiting left to mistrust and right towards trust representing healing mistrust/abuse schema at bay area cbt center

Unpacking the Mistrust and Abuse Schema

Feeling perpetually wary of others’ intentions and struggling to build trust may indicate the presence of a mistrust and abuse schema. Originating from distressing early life experiences, this schema filters your view of the world, often leading to self-protection tactics that can harm relationships. Throughout this article, we’ll delve into recognizing the signs, understanding the

A couple sitting in a chair talking to a therapist during a Schema Therapy session in san francisco

The Benefits of Schema Therapy for Couples

Do entrenched patterns of thinking and behavior dominate your relationship? Schema therapy for couples is designed to address these core issues, facilitating a shift towards positive interactions and emotional connection. We’ll guide you through the principles of schema therapy and illustrate its benefits for improving communication, understanding, and intimacy in your relationship. Understanding Schema Therapy

scale balancing feminine and masculine gender schemas

Gender Schema Theory: How It Shapes Perception and Behavior

How does our society shape our views on gender? Gender schema theory, crafted by Sandra Bem, addresses precisely this by illustrating how we form and apply gender-specific frameworks in our thinking. This foundational concept affects everything from personal identity to societal norms. We’ll navigate the nuances of gender schema theory, understand its daily implications, and

changing your core beliefs and rewiring your brain with behavioral experiments and cbt in california

Changing Core Beliefs: Using Behavioral Experiments to Rewire Your Brain

Behavioral experiments are a powerful tool in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). They are designed to test and challenge the beliefs (maladaptive schemas) and assumptions of individuals, leading to significant changes in their behavior and emotional responses. This article examines the efficacy of behavioral experiments in CBT, provides insights into crafting impactful behavioral tests, and offers methods

complex trauma counseling in san francisco

Complex Trauma: CPTSD Vs. BPD Vs. Insecure Attachment

What is complex PTSD, and how does it differ from the more commonly known post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? Complex PTSD, also known as CPTSD, is a psychological condition that arises when an individual has experienced prolonged exposure to repeated interpersonal trauma such as childhood abuse, neglect, or captivity. In this article, we delve into understanding

A person reflecting on the impact of inner child work on their mental health

CBT Tips For Healing Your Inner Child

Imagine a younger version of yourself, with all the dreams, hopes, fears, and experiences that shape who you are today. This version is not just a memory, but an integral part of you – your ‘inner child’. Embarking on a journey to understand, heal, and nurture this inner child is a transformative process that can

woman in bed feeling emotional deprivation needing therapy in sf

Signs Of Emotional Deprivation In Relationships

No relationship is perfect. No matter how long or how wonderful one’s significant other is, there will be inevitable disappointments, conflict, and issues — some more serious than others. Yes, while some problems are completely normal, some tread unhealthy territory. Codependency, detachment, and emotional deprivation are just a few issues that may require more than

Schema Chemistry: The Entitlement/Self-Sacrifice Trap

Schemas are the core beliefs we develop as a result of our early childhood interactions. They can inform many things about our adult lives, including the way we approach romantic relationships. For example, if you have ever found yourself feeling resentful and lonely in a relationship, a self-sacrifice schema could be at work. This is

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Overcoming Schema-Driven Relationship Problems

We often find ourselves repeating the same patterns over and over in relationships, so much so that it can sometimes feel like we’re dating or marrying the same person over and over. This is a common phenomenon, but there is a way to break these patterns, to have fulfilling relationships that reflect our deepest values.

Schemas and Self-Distortions

Schemas are the mental frameworks that help us navigate the complex world around us. They are built from our cumulative experiences, starting from early childhood and continuously evolving throughout our lives. These schemas are essential for our survival; they allow us to process vast amounts of information rapidly by categorizing and interpreting new data based

11 Interpersonal Schemas

Interpersonal schemas are basically mental frameworks or blueprints that we develop throughout our lives to make sense of our interactions with other people. They’re like ingrained patterns of thinking and feeling that influence how we perceive, interpret, and respond to social situations. For example, if we have a schema that says “people are generally trustworthy,”