ABSTRACT
There is a lot of emphasis on the nurturing elements of limited reparenting in Schema Therapy. While most therapists are comfortable being warm and caring with their patients, they may feel uneasy when they have to confront their patients or deal with their more angry modes. Therapists often feel even more uncomfortable when they have to be authentic and truly open with their patients. Partly, this has to do with their therapist training background, but one other factor is their own upbringing and schemas/modes. So, for example, a therapist with Approval Seeking and Unrelenting Standards schemas may find it difficult to admit to making a mistake or feeling under pressure. Furthermore, the environment of the patient and the environment of the therapist can moderate the stress level therapists experience when being authentic and personally open. This chapter focuses on finding a better understanding of the uneasiness of therapists with authenticity and personal openness, but, more importantly, it describes the use of techniques and personal and professional relationships to overcome the hurdles.
