Understanding Patterns – Schema Therapy Group
Discover the patterns that keep you stuck and build healthier ways of relating to yourself and other
Many of us find ourselves repeating the same patterns in relationships, work, or everyday life, even when we genuinely want things to be different. You may put other people’s needs before your own, struggle to say no, constantly seek reassurance, or worry about disappointing others. These ways of thinking, feeling and responding often develop early in life and continue into adulthood without us fully understanding why.
Schema Therapy helps you recognise these longstanding patterns, understand their origins, and develop healthier ways of responding.
Our eight-week Schema Therapy Group provides a supportive introduction to Schema Therapy through education, practical exercises, reflection and discussion.
Group Details
Start Date: Tuesday 13 October 2026
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:15 pm
Duration: Eight consecutive weekly sessions (2 hours 15 minutes)
Location: The Psychological Health Centre, Dee Why, Sydney
Format: Face-to-face only
Group Size: Small groups to ensure participants feel well supported and have opportunities to actively participate.
Facilitators
Bec – Clinical Psychologist
Sylvia – Psychologist
Learn more about the facilitators below.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost is $130 per session.
Participants will receive:
- A comprehensive workbook
- Session handouts
- Reflection and journal prompts
- Practical exercises to support learning between sessions
A Medicare rebate may be available for up to 10 group therapy sessions per calendar year under an eligible Mental Health Treatment Plan. These group session rebates are separate from the Medicare rebates available for individual psychological therapy sessions, meaning eligible participants may be able to claim rebates for both individual and group treatment within the same calendar year.
Participants may also be invited to attend a feedback session following completion of the program.
What is Schema Therapy?
Schema Therapy is an evidence-based psychological therapy that goes beyond managing symptoms. Rather than focusing only on current difficulties, it explores the deeper emotional patterns and beliefs that influence how we think, feel, behave and relate to others.
Schemas are deeply held beliefs about ourselves, other people and the world. They usually develop through early experiences and relationships. While these beliefs may once have helped us cope, they can continue to influence our lives long after they are no longer helpful.
Examples include beliefs such as:
- “If I make a mistake, people will reject me.”
- “I need other people’s approval to feel okay.”
- “My needs aren’t important.”
Schema Therapy combines cognitive, behavioural and experiential techniques to help people understand these beliefs, heal unmet emotional needs, and develop healthier ways of living. It has a strong evidence base for people experiencing longstanding psychological difficulties, particularly when previous therapies have not fully addressed the underlying issues.
To read more about Schema Therapy (link to Sylvis blog)
Program Objectives
Throughout the program you will learn to:
- Understand schemas and schema modes.
- Recognise how early experiences influence current difficulties.
- Identify your own schemas and coping styles.
- Increase emotional awareness.
- Learn practical emotion regulation and coping strategies.
- Respond more effectively to difficult emotions.
- Strengthen self-compassion.
- Develop healthier boundaries and relationships.
Who is this Group For?
This group is suitable for adults aged 18 years and over.
It may be particularly helpful if you:
- Experience recurring difficulties in relationships.
- Relate to patterns of self-sacrifice or approval seeking.
- Regularly put other people’s needs before your own.
- Find it difficult to set boundaries or say no.
- Feel responsible for other people’s emotions.
- Hold yourself to extremely high standards or struggle with perfectionism.
- Spend a great deal of time overthinking, analysing situations or replaying conversations.
- Tend to avoid or suppress difficult emotions, keep yourself constantly busy, or withdraw when emotions become overwhelming.
- Want to better understand yourself and the patterns that influence your life.
- Are interested in exploring whether Schema Therapy is the right approach for you.
This group is not suitable for children or adolescents under 18 years of age.
Why Choose Group Schema Therapy?
Group therapy offers opportunities for growth that are difficult to replicate in individual therapy. Many people with longstanding emotional or interpersonal difficulties experience isolation, shame or a sense that they are alone in their struggles. Within a safe and structured group, participants often discover that others share similar experiences, reducing shame while increasing understanding and connection.
The group also provides opportunities to practise expressing needs, setting boundaries, receiving feedback and building healthier relationships in real time.
Participants commonly report
- Greater self-awareness
- Improved emotional regulation
- Increased self-compassion
- Healthier relationships
- Greater confidence expressing needs
- Reduced shame and self-criticism
- A stronger sense of belonging
Click here to read more about group therapy.
What Does the Program Involve?
The program includes:
- Psychoeducation about schemas and schema modes
- Understanding how schemas develop
- Emotional awareness training
- Practical coping and distress management strategies
- Experiential exercises
- Reflection activities
- Group discussion
- Weekly home practice
This is a structured educational and therapeutic group rather than a support group. Sharing personal experiences is always voluntary, and participants are never expected to disclose anything they do not wish to. The focus is on understanding patterns, learning practical skills, and applying them in everyday life.
If you do not currently have an individual therapist, individual sessions with one of the group facilitators may be available for additional support. If you already have an individual therapist, you are encouraged to continue working with them while attending the group, allowing your individual therapy and group experience to complement one another.
Register Your Interest
To learn more or register your interest, please contact:
The Psychological Health Centre
Phone: 0481 308 742
Email: info@psychologicalhealthcentre.com.au
Or complete the enquiry form below and a member of our team will be in touch.
Ready to Connect?
Complete the enquiry form below to register your interest in the next Schema Therapy Group.
Places are limited to maintain a small and supportive group environment.