What are Coping Styles in Schema Therapy?
In the schema therapy model, we conceptualize the development of schemas and modes as systems people develop to cope with childhood pain associated with their core emotional needs not being met. There are three major coping styles and you may be using one or more of these:
- Surrendering by accommodating to the way you are treated and acting as if, and believing, it is the way things should be.
- Avoiding by disconnecting emotionally or physically from the people who mistreat you and/or by disconnecting from your own emotions.
- Overcompensating by attempting to fight against the schema and prove it is not true. For example, you may try to do things perfectly so that you don’t feel defective or try to get control over others so that you don’t get taken advantage of.
While each of these three ways of coping helps to reduce pain in the short run, they become the way we maintain maladaptive schemas and modes in the long run. Those of us who lean towards surrendering will need help to learn to fight against mistreatment and neglect, those of us who lean towards avoidance will need help to gain the courage to face painful feelings and challenging situations and those of us who lean towards overcompensation will need help to gain the courage to become more vulnerable.
Typical Coping Styles
SURRENDER
Compliance, Dependence: Relies on others, gives in, seeks affiliation, passive, dependent, submissive, clinging, avoids conflict, people-pleasing.
AVOIDANCE
Social Withdrawal, Excessive Autonomy: Copes through social isolation, disconnection, and withdrawal. May demonstrate an exaggerated focus on independence and self-reliance, rather than involvement with others. Sometimes retreats through private activities such as excessive tv watching, reading, recreational computing, or solitary work.
Compulsive Stimulation-Seeking: Seeks excitement or distraction through compulsive shopping, sex, gambling, risk-taking, physical activity, novelty, etc.
Addictive Self-Soothing: Avoids through addictions involving the body, such as alcohol, drugs, overeating, excessive masturbation, etc.
Psychological Withdrawal: Copes through dissociation, numbness, denial, fantasy, or other internal forms of psychological escape
OVER-COMPENSATION
Aggression, Hostility: Counterattacks through defying, abusing, blaming, attacking, or criticizing others
Dominance, Excessive Self-Assertion: Controls others through direct means to accomplish goals
Recognition-Seeking, Status-Seeking: Overcompensates through impressing, high achievement, status, and/or attention-seeking
Manipulation, Exploitation: Meets own needs through covert manipulation, seduction, dishonesty, or conning
Passive-Aggressiveness, Rebellion: Appears overtly compliant while punishing others or rebelling covertly through procrastination, pouting, “backstabbing,” lateness, complaining, rebellion, non-performance, etc.
Excessive Orderliness, Obsessionality: Maintains strict order, tight self-control, or high level of predictability through order & planning, excessive adherence to routine or ritual, or undue caution. Devotes inordinate time to finding the best way to accomplish tasks or avoid negative outcomes.
How to Find Schema Therapy in San Jose/Los Gatos
The Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center specializes in schema therapy. Click to send an email for more information on how we can help you or your family members modify unhelpful coping styles using schema therapy.
Silicon Valley Communities We Serve
Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center of Silicon Valley offers evidence-based therapy for Anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder near the following Silicon Valley/San Jose communities:
San Jose Therapy Counseling • Saratoga Therapy Counseling • Los Gatos Therapy Counseling • Monte Sereno Therapy Counseling • Cupertino Therapy Counseling • Campbell Therapy Counseling • Mountain View Therapy Counseling • Los Altos Therapy Counseling • Sunnyvale Therapy Counseling • Santa Clara Therapy Counseling
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