Mistrust & Abuse Therapy in Elsternwick

Do you have mistrust and abuse schema?

Sometimes it can be difficult to self-diagnose whether you are living with mistrust and abuse schema. We recommend reading the list of statements below, and if you find that they resonate with you, it’s likely that you would benefit from mistrust and abuse therapy in Elsternwick.

·      I believe that those around me don’t have my best interests at heart

·      I’m always keeping an eye out for people’s ulterior motives

·      It takes me a long time to trust people, and even then it’s difficult

·      I am quick to conclude relationships when I feel that the person is against me

·      I’m guarded and on alert at all times

·      I feel that everyone is only looking out for their own best interests

·      I typically end up in toxic relationships with people who are abusive

·      I feel disconnected from everyone I meet, like they don’t understand me

·      If I ever let my guard down, people will take advantage of me

Our mistrust and abuse schema therapy in Elsternwick can change your life for the better

Your Psychologist Elsternwick is well-versed in helping people with mistrust and abuse schema overcome these thought patterns and learn to trust the people who deserve it. With Franco's help, you can enjoy a happier lifestyle with close relationships.

From failure schema to social isolation schema, vulnerability schema, subjugation schema and more, Your Psychologist specialises in helping people improve their lives by identifying the cause of their schemas and resolving the issue permanently. 

Schedule an appointment

If you’re ready to overcome your mistrust and abuse schema, book a consultation with us today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mistrust & Abuse Schema

How is mistrust therapy in Elsternwick different from general counselling?

Franco Greco’s mistrust therapy in Elsternwick focuses specifically on long-standing relational patterns rather than short-term situational stress. If you consistently expect betrayal, dishonesty, or harm in close relationships, this type of therapy explores the deeper schema driving those expectations. Instead of just addressing surface conflict, mistrust therapy is designed to reshape the core belief that others cannot be trusted.

Can abuse therapy in Elsternwick help even if the abuse happened years ago?

Yes. Many people assume they should be “over it” by now, but unresolved experiences often form the foundation of an abuse schema. Abuse therapy in Elsternwick can help you process past emotional or relational harm, even if it occurred decades ago. The goal of Franco’s abuse therapy in Elsternwick is not to revisit trauma unnecessarily, but to reduce its influence over your present relationships.

What does it mean if I keep choosing partners who mistreat me?

Repeatedly entering toxic or one-sided relationships may point to a mistrust schema. When someone carries a mistrust schema, they may subconsciously gravitate toward dynamics that feel familiar — even when those dynamics are unhealthy. Therapy helps break that cycle and build safer attachment patterns.

I don’t avoid relationships — I just don’t feel safe in them. Is that an abuse schema?

It can be. An abuse schema doesn’t always mean avoiding connection altogether; sometimes it shows up as hypervigilance, testing others, or feeling constantly on guard. Our process for abuse schema therapy in Elsternwick explores where those expectations of harm developed and how to gradually rebuild a sense of emotional safety.

How long does mistrust and abuse therapy in Elsternwick usually take?

Because mistrust and abuse therapy in Elsternwick addresses deeply embedded belief systems, it’s typically a medium- to longer-term therapeutic process. That being said though, many clients start noticing shifts in awareness and relationship patterns within the first few months. The pace depends on your history, goals, and readiness for change.

Can schema therapy actually change the way I think about people?

Yes — and that’s the core aim. Whether you’re working through a mistrust schema or an abuse schema, the process involves gradually challenging rigid assumptions and building healthier alternatives. Over time, many clients report feeling less guarded, less reactive, and more secure in their relationships.