Lars Madsen – Schema therapy, emotional blueprints, and the psychology of change
Can our earliest emotional patterns be rewritten?
In this episode, Jess sits down with psychologist Lars Madsen to explore schema therapy, a powerful framework for understanding the emotional blueprints that shape how we think, feel, and behave. This conversation moves between clinical insight and human experience, diving into the ways we get stuck in old patterns and how healing can happen.
Schema therapy helps us recognise how beliefs formed in childhood, like “I’m not good enough” or “People always leave,” can silently shape our adult lives. These deep-rooted schemas affect everything from how we love, to how we cope with failure, to the kinds of relationships we seek out and stay in. And while cognitive therapy often focuses on reframing surface-level thoughts, schema therapy goes deeper, using imagery, emotion, and experiential techniques to work with the underlying wound.
Together, Jess and Lars Madsen unpack what schema therapy actually looks like in a room. From imagery rescripting and chair work to building what Lars calls the “healthy adult self,” the conversation offers a clear and compassionate lens on how therapy works and why some patterns take longer to shift than others.
You’ll also hear:
What makes schema therapy different from CBT
How early experiences can create lifelong emotional filters
Why insight alone isn’t enough — and what healing feels like
How therapists help clients confront, reimagine, and soften old wounds
The role of writing and journaling in emotional processing
What healing looks like in real life — and why schemas never fully disappear
This episode also touches on the forensic applications of schema therapy, exploring how trauma, attachment, and early adversity shape behaviour — and why understanding someone’s story is essential when working with people who’ve been criminalised or dismissed.
Prompt for reflection:
“Think of one recurring struggle in your life — maybe a fear of rejection, or always putting others first. What old belief or unmet need might be driving it?”
Listen now
Mentioned in this episode:
Reinventing Your Life by Jeffrey Young
James Pennebaker’s work on expressive writing
Chair work and imagery rescripting techniques
Lars’s forensic work with complex trauma cases
This episode was hosted by Jess Leondiou, brought to you by Archley’s tools for introspection and reflection. www.archleys.com
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Technical Setup
02:55 Exploring Schema Therapy
06:59 Understanding Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs. Schema Therapy
16:52 The Role of Memory in Schema Therapy
22:04 Writing as a Tool for Processing Trauma
25:03 Healing and Functional Changes in Patients
28:08 Understanding Healing in Relationships
30:26 The Intersection of Trauma and Personality Disorders
32:48 The Role of Environment in Schema Development
36:06 The Impact of Therapy on Schema Awareness
38:57 Creating Safe Spaces for Vulnerable Conversations
44:12 Improving Communication Skills for Better Support
45:31 Techniques for Exploring Personal Schemas
46:32 The Evolution of Therapy and Self-Talk
47:53 Journaling and Self-Reflection on Schemas
Lean more about Lars Madsen
Follow Lars Madsen on | LinkedIn | Twitter
Read his blog | Substack
Learn more about his work | Clinical Psychology Center
Listen to his podcast | Beyond the crime: A psychology analysis
