Strengthening the healthy adult mode: a case experimental study exploring the effects of a new Schema Therapy protocol in an outpatient population

To study the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of the first treatment protocol solely focussing on strengthening adaptive schema modes: “Schema Therapy and the Healthy Adult” (ST-HA) during final-stage Schema therapy in adult outpatients with personality disorders. A single-case experimental design (n = 10) with multiple measures was used. For each participant, a no-treatment randomised baseline period was compared with treatment and follow-up at 1 and 3 months. Assessments included questionnaires for measuring changes in self-compassion, well-being, adaptive schema modes and general psychopathology. Findings suggested positive effects of the ST-HA intervention in increasing self-compassion, well-being and adaptive schema modes during treatment on both individual and group levels. Gains of the intervention were maintained in follow-up phases at 1 and 3 months. Psychopathology scores decreased significantly between pre- and posttreatment. This study suggests that ST-HA is a feasible, acceptable and effective intervention that can be implemented during the final stage of ST. The study is registered in the clinical trial register (NCT04466163).