Episode 12: Jeff Young Interview Part 1

Wayne’s World, Schemas and More

Part 1 interview with the originator of schema therapy Dr. Jeffery Young, discussing developmental origins of schema therapy, schemas and modes, and the future of schema therapy.

Lead singer of a megadeath rockband or renowned schema therapy creator, Jeff Young dives into the origins of schema therapy.

Before developing his own therapy his main goal was to study as many different types of therapy as possible. Jeff always envisioned what the different methods to practice therapy should be; constantly striving to find the therapy that fits all and when there would be a close fit, there would always be one or more clients that didn’t quite fit the puzzle.

Starting therapy in his early 20s, Jeff’s mindset was very logic-driven and his devoted interests were to solve problems through logic, debates, and discussions. All in all, he concluded he was more in touch with logic than feelings at that age like many young men are. After decades of practice, he realized emotions are significant to his practice. “I was much more in touch with my mind than I was with my feelings.” Jeff stated, “The turning point was my recognition of how important emotions are to me as a person and also in doing therapy.”

Once he began his own practice he realized working with a diverse group of patients meant the practices he was using, for example, to treat depression, wasn’t the central problem anymore. Diverse groups mean diverse outcomes. There may be numerous issues such as personality disorders. So that was a light bulb moment… A new drive.