Schema-Focused Therapy (SFT)

Schema-focused therapy (SFT) or schema therapy is an integrative psychotherapy to help narcissists identify and change deeply ingrained, self-defeating patterns of thinking and behaving — called schemas — that often stem from unmet childhood emotional needs. It combines techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), attachment theory, and Gestalt therapy. Therapists use cognitive, behavioral, and emotion-focused techniques, including imagery rescripting and the “empty chair technique,” to replace unhealthy patterns with healthier coping styles and meet patients’ core emotional needs.