Creative use of mode dialogues with the Vulnerable Child and Dysfunctional Critic modes

This chapter describes the use of mode dialogues and other creative strategies in Schema Therapy to bond with the Vulnerable Child mode and lessen the control of the Dysfunctional Critic mode. It describes variants of traditional mode dialogues that include the therapist at times playing the patient’s Vulnerable Child to increase compassion for that mode. The core variants developed by the authors for use in individual and group Schema Therapy are described, along with clinical vignettes. Therapist tips as to how to develop creative variants of mode dialogues for use with challenging patients are included.