Understanding Maladaptive Schemas: How Core Beliefs Shape Our Emotional and Behavioral Patterns

What Are Schemas and How Do They Form?

Maladaptive schemas are deeply ingrained, negative patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that often develop during childhood and affect adult behaviour. These schemas influence how we view ourselves, others, and the world around us. Understanding maladaptive schemas is a cornerstone of Schema Therapy, a valuable therapeutic approach that helps unpack and address long-standing emotional struggles.

Hand holding a black pen writing on a notepad, symbolizing the creation of a Mental Health Care Plan referral.

Understanding Mental Health Care Plans in Australia

At Qualia Psychology, we understand that navigating the mental health care system can sometimes feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you better understand what a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) is, how it works, and how it can support your journey toward better mental health.   What is a Mental Health

New years resolution

New Year’s Resolutions – Setting Goals Without Setting Yourself Up for Failure

As the calendar turns over to a new year, it’s almost a ritual for many to write a list of resolutions… Lose weight… Get organised… Spend more time with family. These aspirations often come with a surge of motivation, but let’s face it: many resolutions fizzle out by February. Are New Year’s resolutions inherently bad,

Conversations at Christmas

Silent Nights? Managing Difficult Conversations at Christmas

A Guide to Navigating Tricky Topics and Maintaining Harmony The holiday season is a time for joy, connection, and celebration, but it can also bring its share of challenges, particularly when navigating difficult conversations with loved ones. Whether it’s clashing political views, unresolved family tensions, or differing opinions on how to spend the holidays, these

Benefits of sleep

7 Tips for Better Sleep: Small Changes, Big Impact

“Sleep is the best meditation.” – Dalai Lama Getting a good night’s sleep can feel like one of life’s simple pleasures, yet it’s one that often feels out of reach. Whether it’s work stress, endless to-do lists, or even just the occasional sleepless night, it’s easy to fall into a cycle of tired mornings and

Nurturing Your Progress: Strategies to Sustain Therapy Gains and Prevent Relapse

Introduction: The Garden of Your Mind Imagine your mind as a garden. In therapy, you’ve learned to recognise, understand, and tackle the “weeds” – negative thoughts, unhelpful behaviours, and distressing emotions. With time and care, you’ve cultivated “flowers” — positive habits, self-compassion, and resilience. But, just like in any garden, weeds have a tendency to

Depression and Withdrawal: Why They Are Best Friends

Depression and withdrawal can go hand in hand, often feeding into one another and creating a cycle that can be challenging to break. When feelings of sadness and emptiness emerge, the instinct to pull away from social situations can seem comforting. But this tendency to isolate only reinforces depressive symptoms, making it difficult to find

What to Expect in Your First EMDR Session

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has gained significant recognition as an effective treatment for trauma and various mental health conditions. If you’re considering EMDR, it’s natural to have questions about what your first session will look like. This blog will guide you through the process, helping you prepare for your journey toward healing.

Nurturing Your Inner Child: Affirmations for Healing and Growth

The concept of the “inner child” may seem abstract, yet it serves as a powerful framework for understanding the emotional experiences that shape our adult lives. This inner child embodies the emotions, beliefs, and memories we formed in our early years – both joyous and painful. Rather than fading away, these childhood experiences significantly influence

A Guide to the 18 Maladaptive Schemas in Schema Therapy

Understanding the 18 Maladaptive Schemas in Therapy Maladaptive schemas are deeply ingrained cognitive and emotional patterns developed during childhood or adolescence. They represent unhelpful ways of perceiving ourselves, others, and the world around us. These schemas can significantly impact mental health and relationships. In schema therapy, these patterns are explored to better understand why individuals