Schema Therapy Case Study: Male Executive with Anger Issues

Treated by Franco Greco – Accredited Schema Therapist, Your Psychologist Elsternwick

"Schema Therapy case study of a male executive with chronic anger, treated by Franco Greco, Accredited Schema Therapist at Your Psychologist Elsternwick. Explore core schemas, modes, and therapy outcomes."

Client Profile

• Name: David R. (pseudonym)
• Age: 40
• Gender: Male
• Occupation: Senior Executive in a Technology Firm
• Presenting Problem: Chronic anger, emotional reactivity, workplace conflict, strained intimate relationships
• Therapist: Franco Greco, Accredited Schema Therapist, Your Psychologist – Elsternwick, Victoria

Presenting Issues

David is a high-performing executive who approached therapy after receiving feedback about his angry outbursts and intimidating communication style. Though highly competent and respected in his industry, he frequently finds himself overwhelmed by frustration, especially when colleagues underperform or when he perceives a lack of respect.

He describes “boiling beneath the surface,” with emotional explosions followed by guilt and confusion. Despite his success, David reports a deep sense of dissatisfaction and emotional disconnection, particularly in his marriage and social life.

Therapeutic Approach: Schema Therapy with Franco Greco

Franco Greco, an Accredited Schema Therapist at Your Psychologist Elsternwick, uses a compassionate yet structured approach that combines cognitive, experiential, and behavioral techniques. His therapy style integrates:

• Mode-based schema work to address emotional patterns
• Imagery rescripting to heal early trauma and unmet emotional needs
• Chair dialogues to transform critical and reactive inner voices
• Pattern-breaking strategies to support lasting behavioral change

Franco works collaboratively with clients to understand not just how they behave, but why they respond the way they do — especially under stress or emotional threat.

Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS) Identified in David

Through assessment and mode work with Franco Greco, several core schemas were identified as driving David’s emotional dysregulation:

Unrelenting Standards / Hypercriticalness Schema

• Belief: “I must always perform at the highest level, or I’m not good enough.”
• Outcome: Perfectionism, irritability, and harsh self-talk

Mistrust / Abuse Schema

• Belief: “People will hurt or take advantage of me if I let my guard down.”
• Outcome: Suspicion, defensiveness, and hostile reactions under pressure

Emotional Deprivation Schema

• Belief: “No one will truly meet my emotional needs.”
• Outcome: Suppressed vulnerability, emotional shutdown, and anger used as protection

Defectiveness / Shame Schema

• Belief: “There is something deeply wrong with me.”
• Outcome: Inner shame masked by achievement and emotional distancing

Schema Modes Identified

Franco helped David map and understand the schema modes driving his reactivity:

Angry Protector Mode

• Function: Shields David from feeling vulnerable or exposed
• Behavior: Explosive anger, verbal aggression, controlling tendencies

Detached Protector Mode

• Function: Avoids emotional pain
• Behavior: Emotional numbing, overworking, withdrawing from intimacy

Demanding Parent Mode

• Function: Internalized perfectionism and criticism
• Behavior: Harsh inner voice pushing him to “do better” and never be satisfied

Vulnerable Child Mode

• Function: Holds unmet emotional needs and fears
• Behavior: Deep feelings of inadequacy, sadness, and rejection — often hidden

Healthy Adult Mode (Underdeveloped)

• Function: Emotion regulation, balanced thinking, and compassion
• Goal: Strengthen this mode to bring balance and reduce schema-driven behavior

Therapeutic Goals with Franco Greco

• Strengthen David’s Healthy Adult Mode to manage emotions and support self-validation
• Reduce Angry Protector responses by identifying and processing underlying schema triggers
• Increase emotional awareness and tolerance
• Heal early emotional wounds through imagery rescripting and mode work
• Break behavioral patterns that fuel anger, isolation, and emotional avoidance

Key Schema Therapy Techniques Used by Franco Greco

1. Imagery Rescripting – Revisiting childhood experiences of emotional neglect and introducing the Healthy Adult to meet unmet needs.
2. Chair Work – Dialogues between David’s Angry Protector, Demanding Parent, and Vulnerable Child to externalize and shift rigid patterns.
3. Mode Tracking & Journaling – Identifying real-life triggers and automatic responses, with ongoing reflection to reinforce insight.
4. Pattern Breaking Assignments – Practicing assertive communication and emotional vulnerability in both personal and professional contexts.

Outcome After Six Months of Schema Therapy

Under Franco Greco’s guidance, David reported:

• Significant reduction in anger outbursts
• Improved relationships with team members and his partner
• Increased emotional self-awareness
• Ability to pause and reflect before reacting
• Emerging compassion for himself and greater tolerance for imperfection

Though still challenged by perfectionism and vulnerability, David has developed a more grounded sense of self and a healthier, more flexible inner voice.

About Franco Greco – Accredited Schema Therapist

Franco Greco is a highly experienced Schema Therapist based at Your Psychologist in Elsternwick, Victoria. He specialises in working with professionals, executives, and individuals facing long-standing emotional patterns like anger, shame, anxiety, and self-criticism. His practice focuses on helping clients heal core schemas and build emotional resilience using evidence-based techniques rooted in Schema Therapy, CBT, and mindfulness.

To learn more or book a session with Franco, visit Your Psychologist Elsternwick