Launched earlier this year, our schema series breaks down the foundational ideas of schema therapy in an approachable and straightforward way. It also addresses the most common early maladaptive schemas (EMS) with a range of problem-specific handouts.

With illustrations, client-friendly explanations, and schema-specific examples, the handouts offer accessible guidance for those working with schema therapy in-session. They’re also a great learning tool for anyone wanting to become more familiar with this approach.

Individuals with a dependence / incompetence schema lack confidence in their ability to manage everyday tasks, face new challenges, or make decisions by themselves. As a result, they may feel anxious, overwhelmed, and reliant on others to function or survive.

Excessive involvement in the life of another person can impact an individual’s sense of identity. Being enmeshed can leave them feeling smothered, empty, or worried about how they or the other person would cope without each other.

This week we’re releasing 5 new Hindi translations from our popular Cognitive Distortions Series. Translated resources include: All-Or-Nothing Thinking, Arbitrary Inference, Catastrophizing, and Cognitive Distortions – Unhelpful Thinking Styles(Common and Extended versions).

This study examined risk factors for adolescent self-harm, identifying distinct subgroups among young people. Notably, those with depression, whether diagnosed or not, showed elevated self-harm risk. Bullying also emerged as a pervasive risk factor across various subgroups, highlighting its detrimental impact. Substance use was also a potential marker for identifying at-risk individuals. While caution is needed in using subgroup findings for risk assessment, they offer valuable insights for clinicians. Armed with this knowledge, professionals might be better able to identify and support vulnerable youth, guiding their use of interventions to mitigate the risk of self-harm.

How can therapy better support gender and sexuality-minoritized (GSM) adolescents? A recent study explored the unique challenges faced by GSM youth in the context of dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). Three overarching themes emerged: identity, the impact of others, and space for sexual and gender identity in DBT. The study presents a number of useful intervention tasks and corresponding DBT skills/principles for addressing these issues. Importantly, it highlights the importance of therapist awareness, safe therapeutic spaces, and integrating GSM-related difficulties into DBT. The findings offer crucial insights for therapists who work with GSM youth, highlighting the need for knowledge, competence, and sensitivity.