Schema Therapy Cards

Please note: The schema therapy cards are included in the internal mapping therapy card set

Gentle Language. Meaningful Reflection.

16 beautifully illustrated schema cards designed to make exploring schemas more accessible, compassionate and collaborative.

Schemas can be deeply personal and sometimes difficult to recognise, understand or put into words. These cards offer clinicians a gentle, visual way to introduce and explore schemas without relying on complex clinical language.

What makes these cards different?

Gentle, accessible language

Each schema is expressed through a first-person belief, such as “I Can Only Rely on Myself,” “My Needs and Emotions Don't Matter,” or “I Must Meet Very High Standards.”

The traditional schema terminology is retained alongside these statements, allowing clinicians to maintain the theoretical foundations of schema therapy while using language that feels more approachable and meaningful to clients.

Beautiful, thoughtfully selected watercolour imagery

Each card features soft watercolour illustrations depicting childhood experiences, relationships, emotional struggles and symbolic representations of deeply held beliefs.

The imagery is intentionally gentle, while still capturing the emotional experiences that can sit beneath schemas. These illustrations provide another way into conversations, helping clients recognise, connect with and reflect on experiences that may otherwise be difficult to describe.

Designed for clinicians across therapeutic approaches

Although grounded in schema therapy, these cards are suitable for any clinician wanting a gentle and accessible way to explore schemas and deeply held beliefs.

They can be incorporated into schema therapy, CBT, attachment-focused work, trauma-informed practice and other integrative approaches.

Use them to support psychoeducation, collaborative formulation, individual therapeutic conversations, group work or clinical supervision.

What's included?

• 16 illustrated schema cards, each representing a different schema
• Gentle, relatable belief statements alongside traditional schema terminology
• Short, accessible descriptions of each schema
• Soft watercolour artwork illustrating emotional experiences, relationships and symbolic themes
• A printable PDF for flexible use in clinical practice

A gentle way to explore the beliefs beneath the surface, make sense of familiar patterns and open conversations about what matters most.



Created by Contigo Child and Family | New Beginnings – Integrated Core Needs Approach