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OWL Studio · Schema Therapy guide

Meet the parts. Keep sight of the whole.

Schema Therapy uses modes to describe moment-to-moment states: feelings, body responses, thoughts and ways of coping that become active in particular situations.

See the whole system ↓Explore one part
Several connected inner parts gathered around a calm central figure inside one shared circle
Different states, one person. Every part is held within the wider whole.

The wider whole

The system makes more sense when we see what each part does.

Difficult modes often began as attempts to cope, maintain connection or prevent pain. Understanding the purpose does not mean every behaviour is helpful now—it creates a clearer place to choose from.

01

Child states

Feel

Carry vulnerability, anger, protest, joy and play.
02

Coping responses

Protect

Surrender, withdraw or push hard when pain feels close.
03

Internalised voices

Pressure

Punish or demand in an attempt to prevent failure or rejection.
04

Healthy Adult

Coordinate

Listens, protects, sets limits and chooses what works now.
The Healthy Adult does not erase the other parts.

It listens for the feeling, recognises the protective strategy, limits harm and helps the whole person respond to present reality.

Three visual families

Vulnerable, angry and playful child states linked by one path
Child statesVulnerability, protest, impulse, joy and play.
Surrender, withdrawal and overcompensation shown as three connected protective responses
Protective copingGoing along, going away or pushing hard.
A grounded adult setting limits on harsh shapes while protecting vulnerability and welcoming play
Healthy Adult leadershipProtect, limit, connect and choose.

Open one part at a time

Which state would you like to understand?

Choose a card to see its signals, protective purpose, underlying need and a possible Healthy Adult response.

Three connected child states: vulnerable, protective anger and playfulness01

Child states

Vulnerable Child

Small, frightened, lonely, ashamed, helpless or deeply sad.

What it may be trying to do
This state carries pain and unmet attachment needs. It is not weakness; it is the part that lets you know something hurts.
What may be needed
Safety, warmth, protection, validation, dependable connection and permission to have needs.
A Healthy Adult response
Slow down. Name the feeling without arguing with it, orient to present safety and offer one believable message of care.
“A reply has not arrived. A young, scared part of me expects abandonment. I can notice that fear and contact someone safe instead of attacking myself.”

A small practice

Notice → name → need → respond

Use this with a present-day, manageable situation. You do not need to revisit trauma memories or force access to any part.

  1. 01
    Notice the shift.

    What changed in your body, feeling, urge or inner language?

  2. 02
    Name it tentatively.

    “A vulnerable / protective / demanding part may be active.”

  3. 03
    Find the need.

    Safety, connection, autonomy, rest, play, a boundary—or something else?

  4. 04
    Respond as a whole.

    What is one compassionate, reality-based action that protects you and respects others?

Model and boundaries

A learning guide—not a personal formulation.

A personalised mode map is developed collaboratively and may use different names, fewer modes or more specific patterns. Bring anything useful here into therapy rather than trying to fit yourself into every category.