Between Self and Others

Relational Schemas as an Integrating Construct in Psychotherapy

Datos Bibliográficos

ID20179022
AutoresGregor Žvelc (0000-0003-0429-9882, autor de correspondencia)
Año2009
Volumen39
Número1
Páginas22-38
Fecha de publicación2009-01-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaTransactional Analysis Journal (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0362-1537 • E-ISSN: 2329-5244
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1177/036215370903900104
OpenAlexW1978625381
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas14
Referencias citadas18

The author proposes the concept of relational schemas as a metatheoretical construct that can serve as a common principle for describing change in various schools of psychotherapy. Relational schemas encompass subjective experiences and behavior of self-in-relationship and can be thought of as blueprints for experiencing the self and relating to others. Schemas originate in early childhood but are revised and shaped anew throughout life. They can be nonverbal or verbal, implicit or explicit. They affect the way we establish interpersonal relationships and our relationship with ourselves. Activation of relational schemas can result in a display of various ego states, and such schemas can be adaptive or defensive. For deep personality change, it is important that change take place at the level of schemas. Psychotherapy promotes change and reconstruction of old defensive schemas and, at the same time, the development of new relational schemas through the relationship with a therapist. Relational schemas theory can serve as a framework for integrating different psychotherapy schools

Cognitive psychology · Id, ego and super-ego · Interpersonal communication · Relational theory · Computer Science · Personality Disorders and Psychopathology · Psychology · Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications · Social Psychology · Transactional Analysis in Psychotherapy