Schema therapy is a psychotherapy approach that was developed by Dr. Jeffrey E. Young in the 1990s. It is an integrative and evidence-based therapeutic method that draws from various psychological theories, including cognitive-behavioural therapy, attachment theory, and psychodynamic concepts. Schema therapy is primarily designed to help individuals identify and change deeply ingrained, maladaptive patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, known as “schemas.” These schemas often develop in response to unmet emotional needs in childhood and can have a significant impact on an individual’s adult life and relationships.
The first step in schema therapy is to identify the schemas that are causing distress and dysfunction in a person's life. Schemas are core beliefs or themes about oneself and the world. They are often unconscious and can manifest as self-defeating thought patterns, emotional reactions, and behaviours.
Schema therapy employs cognitive and emotional techniques to explore and challenge these maladaptive schemas. Therapists work with clients to uncover the origins of their schemas, often rooted in early life experiences, and help them understand how these schemas influence their current thoughts and behaviours.
A key feature of schema therapy is the concept of "limited reparenting." This involves the therapist providing the client with the emotional support, validation, and guidance that they may have lacked in their early years. This helps clients develop healthier coping strategies and build a more positive self-concept.
Schema therapy uses the concept of "modes" to understand different parts of the self that can emerge in various situations. These modes can be adapted from the person's child and parent modes, and the therapist helps clients recognize and manage these modes in therapy and in real-life situations.
In addition to cognitive and emotional work, schema therapy includes behavioural techniques to help clients change maladaptive behaviours and develop healthier, more adaptive responses to challenging situations.
Schema therapy places a strong emphasis on understanding how schemas impact an individual's relationships. Clients learn to recognize how their schemas influence their interactions with others and how to improve their interpersonal skills.
The ultimate goal of schema therapy is to help clients integrate healthier beliefs and behaviours into their lives, creating a more balanced and functional self-concept. Healing from past emotional wounds and forming healthier relationships is a central focus of this therapy.
Schema therapy is often used to treat a range of psychological issues, including personality disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and relational problems. It typically involves long-term therapy, as deep-seated schemas can take time to modify and heal. The therapy is tailored to each individual’s specific needs and history, making it a highly personalized and comprehensive approach to emotional and psychological healing.
Clinical Psychologist
Andrew is an experienced clinical psychologist who specialises in working with people aged 16 and over. He has worked in private practice and not-for-profit settings, including leading mental health services and providing clinical supervision and leadership to other clinicians.
Andrew has expertise working with clients experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, phobias, and trauma. His professional experience also makes him uniquely suited to support people experiencing workplace and study stress and the impacts that stress can have on mental health and other aspects of life.
Andrew has a calm, gentle, and non-judgmental approach that he combines with evidence-based therapies including cognitive-behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and mindfulness-based therapies. He aims to support people in achieving their goals and confronting the challenges of modern life while maintaining an increased sense of calmness and composure.
Andrew sees clients in-person on Thursday and Friday.
Senior Mental Health Clinician
Mary is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with experience working with individuals across the lifespan, with a particular interest in adolescence and early adulthood.Â
She works from an empathetic, strength based and collaborative approach, bringing warmth and connection into her practice.  Mary has close to 20 years experience working across a variety of settings including community and inpatient mental health services, leading not for profit mental health organisations, primary, secondary and tertiary education settings, as well as private practice.Â
Her practice is grounded in evidence-based treatment modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, whilst drawing on principles from Compassion Focused Therapy and Mindfulness based interventions.
Mary is skilled in working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, interpersonal relationship difficulties, perfectionism, low self-esteem, life transitions and general stress. She is person-centred and provides a tailored approach, whilst considering the broader social, cultural and systemic environment unique to the individual.
Clinical Director / Clinical Psychologist
Jennifer is the Principal Psychologist at Adelaide Psychology & Co. Providing clinical and supervision services to the clinical team. She is a Clinical Psychologist who specialises in working with children, adolescents, young adults and families. Jennifer has been practising for over 10 years in both public mental health and private practice settings. Jennifer has extensive experience working with a wide range of presentations, including anxiety disorders, depression, trauma, and challenging behaviours.
Jennifer is a gentle and warm psychologist who strives to ensure that clients feel comfortable throughout therapy. Jennifer’s approach to therapy is compassionate, genuine, and non-judgemental. Jennifer not only works with adolescents in therapy sessions, but involves parents in the therapy process to ensure that they know how to best support their children’s wellbeing.
Jennifer sees clients in-person on Mondays & Tuesdays, and is also in management/p>
Psychologist
Madeline is a highly experienced Psychologist with 15+ years of practicing in the clinical treatment and assessment of a range of mental health problems including depression and anxiety related disorders, as well as general counselling for stress, relationship issues, and lifestyle problems.
Madeline provides in-person client consultation appointments on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & FridaysÂ
Clinical Psychologist
Abbie is a Clinical Psychologist who works with older teens and adults. She has worked in a variety of settings, including drug and alcohol rehabilitation, non-for-profit organisations, the WA government (conducting contracted assessments), and private practice. Abbie has experience working with a variety of presentations, including anxiety, depression, worry and stress, grief, and trauma.
Abbie draws on a range of therapeutic modalities, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based techniques, and attachment and schema focused approaches.
Abbie takes a compassionate and collaborative approach to therapy and aims to create a safe and non-judgmental environment to help clients gain a greater understanding of themselves to facilitate acceptance and growth. She is passionate about helping clients meet their therapy goals and enhancing their overall well-being.
Abbie consults Tuesdays via telehealth appointment only.
Clinical Psychologist
Matt welcomes clients into therapy with a non-judgmental approach to explore their current concerns in a safe space.
Matt is experienced in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which is an evidence-based approach for the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorders, amongst others. Matt has undertaken training in Cognitive Processing Therapy to further assist people with trauma histories and PTSD.
Matt has a particular interest in working with members of the LGBTQIA+ community and works in a collaborative manner to achieve agreed goals.
Matt is seeing children, teen and adult therapy clients in-person on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Psychologist
Davi is passionate about using evidence-based approaches to support clients to overcome current challenges and live meaningful and fulfilling lives.
Whilst considering the individualised needs of each client, Davi adopts a holistic approach to mental health, considering the influence of developmental and contextual factors in shaping social and emotional wellbeing.
Davi has experience in working with different client presentations, including depression, anxiety related conditions, post-traumatic stress, grief, and relationship conflicts.
Davi uses interventions from a range of therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Davi delivers therapy sessions in both English and Portuguese and is particularly interested in working with members of the LGBTQI+ community – including trans and gender diverse youth – and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Davi aims at creating a safe space where clients can discuss their difficulties whilst feeling treated with empathy, compassion, and genuine understanding.
Davi sees adult clients for telehealth appointments on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Psychologist
Erin is a Psychologist with experience working with children and their families, adolescents, and adults. She draws on a range of evidence-based modalities, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).
Erin has experience working with a variety of presentations, including anxiety disorders, depression, adjustment difficulties, and eating disorders, as well as associated challenges, such as perfectionism, emotion dysregulation, and low self-esteem.
Erin strives to establish a warm and non-judgmental space using a compassionate and collaborative approach in therapy. She is passionate about helping her clients identify and meet their therapy goals and make progress towards living a more fulfilling life.
Erin is currently completing the AHPRA clinical psychology registrar endorsement program & has recently finished her PhD.
Erin consults in-person on Mondays and Fridays.
Psychologist
Meghan is a psychologist who works with adolescents and adults. She has experience working with a variety of presentations, including depression, anxiety, worry and stress, trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and eating disorders and co-occurring difficulties (e.g., perfectionism, emotion dysregulation and low self-esteem).
Meghan draws upon a range of evidence-based therapies, such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, and mindfulness-based techniques. Meghan also has additional training in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD.
Meghan is passionate about supporting people to flourish and working with them to identify and achieve their therapy goals. Meghan provides a warm and non-judgemental therapeutic space to work alongside clients using a collaborative approach.
Meghan provides in-person client consultation appointments on Wednesdays and Thursdays.Â
Clinical Psychologist
Sherin has experience working with children aged 7 years and over, adolescents, and adults for a variety of mental health concerns.
In particular, she has expertise working with clients whose symptoms align with anxiety, stress, depression, emotional dysregulation, other mood disorders, and trauma. Using a compassionate person-centred approach, Sherin works to prioritise client needs and hopes to raise client awareness and meet collaborative goals.
She utilises evidence-based treatment modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and provides a safe-space for clients to improve their wellbeing.
Sherin sees clients in-person every day of the week except for Thursday, and also via telehealth for special circumstances.
If you need a telehealth appointment, please contact the clinic to discuss.
We currently have roles available for:
To find out more about these roles, email us at [email protected]
Clinical Psychologist
Jeremy is taking on new therapy clients aged 14 years and over. Jeremy has expertise in the following presentations: Co-occurring anxiety and depression, Major depression, Generalised anxiety disorder, Fears and phobias, Social anxiety disorder, & Posttraumatic stress disorder. Jeremy has a particular interest in mindfulness and using digital tools to assist clients to reach their goals.
Jeremy is sees therapy clients in-person on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and via telehealth for special circumstances.Â
If you need a telehealth appointment, please contact the clinic to discuss.Â
Psychologist
Bonnie provides treatment for adults with depression, anxiety, life stress and emotional dysregulation. She uses a non-judgemental person-centred approach when working therapeutically with clients and utilises evidence-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy during sessions.
Bonnie recognises that clients are the experts of their own life experiences and uses her knowledge and experience to support clients to meet their goals and improve wellbeing.
Bonnie is available to see clients in-person on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Bonnie also sees clients via telehealth for special circumstances. If you would like a telehealth appointment, please contact the clinic to discuss.Â
Clinical Psychologist
Carlee is a Clinical Psychologist with experience delivering a range of evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. She also draws from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Schema therapy principles in order to support clients to develop skills of mindfulness, emotional literacy, and develop insight into the patterns and function of their cognitions and behaviours and make meaningful behaviour change.
Carlee has a particular interest in working with clients experiencing Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, and a range of anxiety disorders. Warmth and humour are at the centre of Carlee’s practice; she values a client-centred approach that seeks to adapt therapy to the unique needs of each individual and work together to help people meet their goals.
Carlee consults in-person on Thursdays and Fridays, and also provides telehealth appointments for special circumstances.
If you would like a telehealth appointment, please contact the clinic to discuss.Â