995-Transforming Schema That Cause Anxiety & Depression with Counseling

Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes

**Summary: How Schema Affect Anxiety and Depression by Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes**

[Watch the video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8SL2ZbWVFE)

**Outline Summary:**

1. **Introduction**

- Presenter: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes

- Topic: How Schema Affect Anxiety and Depression

- Objectives: Define schema, explain formation, discuss inaccuracies, and identify strategies to address unhelpful schema

2. **Understanding Schema**

- Definition: Mental representations or beliefs about people or events

- Examples: Traffic lights, doctor visits, job interviews, news media, flu season, stock market

- Function: Help anticipate and interpret future situations

3. **Formation of Schema**

- Based on interpretation and memories of experiences

- Influenced by age, prior experiences, cognitive development, and metacognition

- Example: Childhood experiences with a teacher or parent

4. **General Categories of Schema**

- **Security and Abandonment**: Safety in relationships and self-worth

- **Trust and Safety**: General trustworthiness of others

- **Emotional Support vs. Deprivation**: Support in managing emotions

- **Self-Determination**: Control over life and vulnerability

- **Positivity vs. Negativity**: Optimism vs. pessimism

- **Acceptance vs. Hypercriticalness**: Self-acceptance vs. self-criticism

- **Competence vs. Defectiveness**: Capability vs. feeling broken

- **Independence vs. Dependence**: Reliance on others

- **Belongingness vs. Alienation**: Sense of fitting in vs. rejection

5. **Impact of Schema on Anxiety and Depression**

- Negative schema lead to feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and anxiety

- Positive schema promote feelings of safety, empowerment, and self-worth

6. **Adjusting Outdated or Inaccurate Schema**

- Schema may be outdated or based on inaccurate interpretations

- Recognize and update schema based on current facts and experiences

- Example: Adjusting schema about medical conditions like cancer or HIV

7. **Strategies to Address Unhelpful Schema**

- **Identify and Evaluate Current Schema**: Understand thoughts contributing to distress

- **Address Cognitive Distortions**: Overgeneralization and personalization

- **Explore Schema with Fresh Eyes**: Re-evaluate old situations

- **Schema Restructuring**: Develop new, healthier schema

- **Notice and Focus on Positives**: Encourage a balanced view

8. **Practical Application**

- Consistency and predictability in caregiving

- Emotional and cognitive responsiveness

- Acceptance, attention, and validation

- Safety and support in solution generation

**Time Codes for Major Points:**

0:00 Introduction by Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes

2:45 Understanding Schema

7:30 Formation of Schema

15:20 General Categories of Schema

23:40 Impact of Schema on Anxiety and Depression

33:10 Adjusting Outdated or Inaccurate Schema

41:50 Strategies to Address Unhelpful Schema

54:30 Practical Application

Feel free to ask if you need further details or a more in-depth explanation on any part of the video!

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