Schema therapy was created to be able to treat personality disorders and other chronic problems that could not be treated with cognitive-behavioural therapy. This innovative approach integrates elements of cognitive-behavioural, Gestalt and psychodynamic therapy (especially object relations) and Bowlby's attachment theory (describing how a parent fails to meet the emotional needs of the child and how that can have a detrimental effect on their development and developmental psychology. The creator of schema therapy is Jeffrey Young, who heads the Center for Cognitive Therapy in New York City and the Schema Therapy Institute. The goal of schema therapy is to help patients meet basic emotional needs. In the literature, universal emotional needs are as follows:

• - secure attachment (safety, care, acceptance)
• - autonomy and a sense of identity
• - freedom to express true needs and emotions
• - spontaneity and play
• - realistic boundaries and self-control

Schema therapy is an extension of traditional cognitive-behavioural therapy, while differing from it in many ways:

• - It lasts longer (usually one to three years)
• - During therapy, we often reflect on the patient's childhood
• - Much more emphasis is placed on an empathetic and authentic therapeutic relationship, so-called limited re-parenting
• - In addition to cognitive and behavioural techniques, much of the focus in schema therapy is on techniques that activate emotions and correct early emotional experiences, such as imagery techniques.