Internal Mapping Cards

Printable Therapeutic Cards for Clinicians Working With Parents

A collaborative and integrated approach, shaped by the needs that matter most.

A collection of illustrated therapeutic cards designed to help clinicians explore a parent's internal experiences, understand patterns of coping and identify the core emotional needs underneath.

Perfect for Schema Mode Mapping, with the flexibility to be used alongside CBT and other therapeutic approaches.

What Are Internal Mapping Cards?

Internal mapping is a visual, collaborative way of exploring the different parts of a parent's internal experience, including their beliefs, emotions, Inner Critic messages and Protective Coping Responses.

Rather than relying on words alone, clinicians and parents can select, arrange and connect cards to make sense of what may be happening internally.

For example, a parent who feels they must manage everything themselves might recognise:

• A Schema Card: "I Can Only Rely on Myself."
• An Inner Critic Card: The Demanding Critic, creating pressure to keep going.
• A Protective Coping Response Card: Pushing harder rather than seeking support.
• A Core Emotional Need Card: Emotional Soothing, Support and Connection.

These cards can be explored together to help the parent understand why asking for help might feel difficult, what they may have learned about depending on others, and what support they need now.

The focus remains on understanding the needs underneath the patterns, rather than judging the parent's responses.

What's Included?

Each category can be used on its own or combined with others to explore connections between schemas, emotional experiences, coping responses and needs.

What Makes These Cards Different?

Designed with the perinatal period in mind.

Pregnancy, birth and early parenthood can bring longstanding beliefs, emotional needs and ways of coping into sharper focus.

The cards use soft watercolour illustrations that reflect experiences of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood, helping parents recognise aspects of their own experiences through gentle, relatable imagery.

Gentle, accessible language.

Clinical concepts have been adapted into language that creates space for parents to find their own words to describe their internal experiences. The cards support shared understanding without requiring parents to learn complex therapeutic terminology.

Core emotional needs remain central.

The collection connects schemas, Inner Critic messages, child parts and Protective Coping Responses with the emotional needs that may be underneath them.

This helps clinicians move from recognising patterns towards exploring what the parent may need to feel safer, supported and more able to respond in ways that work for them.

Flexible within your existing approach.

Use one card to introduce a concept, several cards to explore a specific experience, or combine categories for more detailed Schema Mode Mapping.

The cards are designed to complement existing clinical work, rather than require a separate treatment model.

What Will You Receive?

What You'll Receive

Printable A6 Internal Mapping Therapy Cards (PDF)

A collection of illustrated therapeutic cards, ready to print, cut out and use in face-to-face sessions or share digitally during telehealth.

Your printable card set includes:

• 14 Protective Coping Response Cards: Exploring different ways parents may cope with difficult emotions and unmet needs.
• 16 Schema Cards: Longstanding beliefs and patterns presented in gentle, accessible language.
• 5 Child Part Cards: Representing vulnerable and emotional parts of the self.
• 5 Inner Critic Cards: The Demanding, Punishing, Guilt-Inducing and Anxious Critics, plus an introductory card.
• 10 Core Emotional Needs Cards: Exploring the needs that support emotional wellbeing.
• Wiser, Kinder Self Cards: Supporting compassionate, needs-responsive ways of relating to oneself.
• Internal Mapping Overview Cards: Bringing together the different elements of internal mapping.

Printing Format

• Printable PDF with four cards per A4 landscape page.
• Each card is approximately A6 landscape when printed and cut.
• Suitable for printing, laminating or displaying digitally during telehealth sessions.
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Also Included: 6-Page Clinician Reflection Guide (PDF)

An illustrated A4 portrait guide with ready-to-use conversational prompts for exploring schemas, Inner Critic messages, Protective Coping Responses, child parts and core emotional needs.

Developed by Symon Oliveri, Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and founder of Contigo Child and Family.

Informed by the Integrated Core Needs Approach and designed to complement the therapeutic skills and approaches clinicians already use.