Early Maladaptive Schema (EMS)

Early Maladaptive Schema (EMS) is a broad, persistent pattern of thoughts, feelings, memories, and bodily sensations about oneself and relationships with others that develops during childhood or adolescence and can continue throughout life. Psychologist Jeffrey Young proposed early maladaptive schemas as part of schema-focused therapy, suggesting that they can develop when important emotional needs are not adequately met. Examples include expectations of abandonment, mistrust, emotional deprivation, failure, or defectiveness. Once established, these schemas can influence how we interpret new experiences in ways that reinforce what we already believe.