ABSTRACT

Emotional schemas are related to attachment processes that begin during infancy and continue throughout adulthood. In this chapter the importance of the responsiveness of significant others to one’s emotions is delineated. Drawing on attachment theory (Bowlby, 1972) and the work by Gottman and Greenberg on emotions in relationships, the Emotional Schema Model describes 14 dimensions of how significant others respond to our emotions. The Relationship Emotional Schema Scale is presented that allows clients to describe how their partner responds to their emotions.