Cultivating Inner Balance – 6-week Schema Group Therapy

• Do you feel guilty or selfish for having your own needs?
• Do you find it difficult to identify and articulate what your needs are?
• Do you find it hard to set boundaries?
• Do you prioritise other people’s needs over your own?
• Did you grow up believing that love is conditional?
• Do you find yourself focused on the reactions, opinions or approval of others?
• Do you experience a lot of guilt or fear in your relationships?

If you relate to some of these questions, this group may be for you.

At Centre Self Collective (CSC), we understand that life’s challenges often stem from deep-seated beliefs and patterns that can feel overwhelming to navigate on your own.  

Our Schema Group Therapy program is specifically designed to support individuals struggling with other-directedness schemas—patterns of prioritising the needs, approval, or desires of others at the expense of your own. 

Other-directedness schemas can leave you feeling: 

• Overwhelmed by the pressure to meet others’ expectations. 

• Guilty or “selfish” for having your own needs and boundaries. 

• Lost in relationships, unsure of who you are outside of your roles. 

• Resentful or burned out from putting others first too often. 

This group offers an empowering space to gain insight into these patterns, reconnect with your own needs and values, and build healthier, more balanced relationships. To support your growth, each participant receives a comprehensive workbook and access to a range of psychoeducational and experiential guided recordings to complete between sessions. These resources are designed to deepen your understanding of schemas and provide practical tools to enhance your progress. 

How it Works 

At Centre Self Collective, our Schema Group Therapy offers a structured yet compassionate environment where participants can delve deeply into the other-directedness schemas that influence their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. These schemas often include: 

• Approval-Seeking: Overly focusing on gaining others’ approval, fearing rejection or criticism. 

• Self-Sacrifice: Putting others’ needs ahead of your own to avoid guilt or feelings of selfishness. 

• Subjugation: Prioritising others’ desires or suppressing your own to avoid conflict or disapproval. 

Each week, you’ll explore a new aspect of schema therapy through engaging sessions and reflective practices. Between sessions, the workbook and guided recordings will help you apply the concepts to your daily life, giving you tools to continue building awareness and skills outside of the group. 

Sessions include a mix of: 

• Connection with Others: A space for genuine interpersonal connection. Group members engage in shared experiences, fostering mutual understanding, empathy, and support.  

• Psychoeducation: Develop a solid foundation of understanding schemas, modes, and coping mechanisms. These educational components provide valuable insights into how deeply rooted patterns shape your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, equipping you with the knowledge to navigate and reshape them effectively. 

• Experiential Exercises: Engage in practices such as chair work and guided imagery to process and reframe schemas. 

• Group Reflection: Share and connect with others in a supportive space, building a sense of community and understanding. Sharing in a constructive way may help you uncover new perspectives and reinforce the idea that you are not alone in your journey. 

• Practical Tools: Gain actionable strategies to nurture both your Inner Child and Healthy Adult self. Through schema diaries, guided recordings, and take-home exercises, you’ll develop skills needed to integrate these insights into your everyday life, fostering long-lasting personal growth. 

Each session is designed to provide both insight and actionable techniques to help participants transform unhelpful patterns and build a more balanced, fulfilling life. 

How Do I Know if I’m a Good Fit for Schema Group Therapy? 

We understand that joining a group therapy program is an important decision, and you may be wondering if this is the right fit for you. To ensure the group aligns with your needs and goals, we offer a pre-screening session and we run through some assessment tools with you as well. 

This is a 60-minute individual appointment with one of our highly trained student clinicians. During this session, the clinician will explore your personal goals, discuss the structure and focus of the group, and help you understand how the program could support your growth. 

This tailored session allows us to ensure the group is a meaningful fit for you, while giving you the opportunity to ask questions and gain clarity about what to expect. Whether you have specific goals in mind or are simply curious about schema therapy, this pre-screening process ensures you feel supported and confident in your decision to join the group. 

If you’re unsure or would like to book a pre-screening session, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help guide you every step of the way. 

Who Can Benefit from Schema Group Therapy? 

This program is suitable for individuals who want to: 

• Understand and transform unhelpful patterns and beliefs. 

• Improve relationships and set healthier boundaries. 

• Heal from the impact of past experiences and unmet emotional needs. 

• Strengthen self-compassion and reduce inner self-criticism. 

• Cultivate their Healthy Adult self to navigate life’s challenges. 

The group is open to all adults, regardless of background or experience with therapy. It’s especially beneficial for those who feel stuck in repetitive life patterns and want a fresh approach to personal growth. 

What will I take away from Schema Group Therapy?

At this end of this group therapy, you will:

• Understand and identify personal schemas and coping mechanisms
• Connect with your vulnerable child
• Develop cognitive and experiential skills
• Strengthen your healthy adult self
• Integrate learning and reflect on growth
• Connect with other people who are facing similar challenges

What to Expect in a Session? 

We strive to offer a welcoming environment where sessions are held in a comfortable group space with dimmed lighting, optional seating (chairs, cushions, or floor), sensory toys, and relaxing scents to create a calming atmosphere. We encourage you to come as you are: whether that means bringing a blanket, wearing your favorite cozy clothes, or simply showing up exactly as you feel. 

More about Cultivating Inner Balance:

• Groups run face to face 6:00pm – 8:00pm.
• Group starts on Wednesday the 12th of March.
• Groups run for 120 minutes each.
• Total group cost is $720 with Medicare Rebates available under a Mental Health Care plan.

You can also complete our EOI form here to sign up and avoid processing fees!

Centre Self Collective – Workshop registration form (office.com)

A message from the facilitators, Amy and Ashlee –

“We are genuinely excited to bring this group therapy to you. Schema therapy is something close to our hearts because we’ve seen the positive impact it can have on people’s lives. We believe that schemas apply to us all in some way shape or form. Schemas are entrenched ways of thinking about ourselves, others and the world around us because they are essential cognitive structures shaped by universal human experiences. Group therapy in schema therapy can be particularly powerful due to the collective support, opportunities for interpersonal learning and the holistic approach it provides. It’s all about self-discovery, understanding our patterns, embracing vulnerability and giving us clarity while also reducing symptoms such as anxiety and depression. We are here to support you every step of the way on your journey. Let’s explore together and see where this workshop takes us!”