ABSTRACT
Schema Therapy offers a sophisticated array of methods for working with dysfunctional coping modes. This chapter outlines how chair work, mode dialogues and mode mapping can be used to help patients understand and overcome the damaging aspects of their coping modes, as well as drawing their attention to the core needs these modes are clumsily trying to fulfil. The chapter also outlines how chair work can be used to develop a highly nuanced, collaborative formulation of the patient’s coping responses in the face of prototypical schema triggers. Important topics, such as overcoming strong emotional detachment and rigid investment in control/avoidance, are covered in detail. Innovative methods such as role play, audio flashcards, drawing and use of drama/symbolism are brought to life with clinical examples, transcripts and vignettes to allow the reader to experiment with new techniques. The chapter also outlines how imagery, reparenting and chair work can be fluidly integrated within a single session.
