Schema Therapy
My approach is based on Schema Therapy, since it is a highly effective form of therapy for a significant number of psychiatric and psychological problems. Schema Therapy is an integrative psychological approach which addresses long‑standing emotional patterns that often resist change in brief or symptom‑focused therapies.
Drawing on cognitive‑behavioural tools, experiential and emotion‑focused techniques, and a strong relational foundation, I help clients uncover and transform the core beliefs—or “schemas”—that took shape early in life and continue to influence identity, self‑esteem, and coping in the present.
My work involves gently exploring the origins of these patterns so that clients can understand how unmet childhood needs and early experiences still echo in their adult emotional world.
Through education about the model, identifying dysfunctional schemas, limited reparenting, and targeted cognitive, experiential, and behavioural change work, I support clients in recognising their modes, managing them more effectively, and gradually shifting patterns that may have felt entrenched for years.
I use Schema Therapy because it has shown strong effectiveness across a wide range of complex psychological difficulties, especially those rooted in deep emotional and relational templates rather than isolated symptoms. By working at this deeper level, I help clients understand the roots of their reactions, interrupt self‑defeating cycles, and develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others.
My overarching aim is to guide people toward recognising their patterns, making sense of where they come from, and building new, more adaptive ways of coping with emotions and relationships—freeing them from the outdated strategies that once protected them but now hold them back.
Therapy process
There is a standard process for all clients, to ensure that you get the best treatment for the challenges you are facing.
Assessment for therapy: Every therapy process commences with an assessment of the challenges you are facing. This usually takes about three sessions but can vary depending on the difficulties you are facing. Once the assessment is completed, I will present feedback, including a diagnosis, if appropriate, and treatment plan. If the assessment has indicated that I am not the best suited to treat the presenting problem, the feedback may include suggestions about who may be more suitable to assist.
Starting therapy: Once we have agreed on a plan of action, you will be offered a weekly appointment time on a specific day at a specific time which will be reserved until the treatment is formally ended.
Treatment phase: Clients are seen weekly at a set time for several weeks or months. Since these slots are not offered to anyone else unless you cancel your appointment, I require 48 hours’ notice if you want to cancel your regular appointment, so that the slot can be made available to someone else in need.
In later stages in therapy, we may agree to reduce the frequency of your sessions to once every alternate week, and later still to once a month. This is usually appropriate once a significant part of the therapy work is complete, and longer breaks between sessions, allows you to consolidate your new approaches to your challenges and practice the new skills.
Ending therapy: Ending therapy should a shared decision. You have the right to decide whether to continue with treatment and can choose to end therapy at any time, whether you have reached the goals you had for therapy, if you do not think therapy is helpful to you, or if therapy has become unaffordable. However, it is best that you discuss your wishes to end therapy with me before you stop the treatment. This allows you to ensure a consolidation of gains you have made in the therapeutic process, reduce risk of relapse and plan for any additional support you may require after ending therapy.
Informed consent: Before starting the therapy, you will be asked to complete and sign a ” Client details, Therapy contract and Consent” form. In signing this form, you are entering into a formal contract with me and acknowledge that you have read and understood the points made in the document. Do not hesitate to speak to me about any aspects of the matters raised in the document that you do not fully understand or that concern you.
CONTACT US
Jean Luyt Clinical Psychologist
25a Cedar Road, Newlands
CAPE TOWN