Decoupling internalized dysfunctional attachments: a combined ACT and Schema Therapy approach

Third wave psychotherapy approaches offer interesting tools for the intervention on internal representations, in the direction to limit the influence of negative past representations toward significant others in current relationships (Simone-DiFrancesco et al., 2015). We make the point that this consideration applies to parenting style as well. We propose a two-steps procedure based on the integration of theories derived from Schema Therapy (ST; Loose et al., 2016; SimoneDiFrancesco., 2015; Young et al., 2013), and techniques derived from Mindfulness (Van Vreesvijk et al., 2016), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT; Hayes et al., 1999). This integration stems from the fact that these approaches have in our opinion, complementary strengths. On one side, ST provides the conceptual background for an understanding of what is enacted in the current relationship, say a Dysfunctional Parent Mode (e.g. Punitive, Demanding, Critic parent…), coming from past internalized relationships. Therapists may refer to the concept of enactment of specific Modes to help caregivers become aware of roles and relational themes displayed during the interactions with their children. ACT and mindfulness, on the other, have outlined a series of strategies by which clinicians can help the client to attend, observe and stop automatic reactions to dysfunctional mental representations. A combined ST and ACT approach aims to relieve parentingrelated difficulties, through the understanding and the limitation of enactments in the parent-child relationship.