Recognize, Understand, Work On
Stiftung Jugendnetzwerk Horgen
Zürich Kanton Zürich
Key information
- Publication date:30 October 2025
- Workload:100%
- Contract type:Permanent position
- Place of work:Zürich Kanton Zürich
Job summary
Schemaarbeit focuses on identifying and modifying dysfunctional patterns. This structured approach offers a supportive environment for youth in care.
Tasks
- Professionals use various methods to identify underlying schemas.
- They create individualized development plans based on extensive diagnostics.
- The aim is to help youth recognize and meet their emotional needs.
Skills
- Experience in youth work and knowledge of schema therapy preferred.
- Strong interpersonal skills and empathy are essential.
- Ability to apply therapeutic techniques effectively.
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Recognize, Understand, Work On
Schema diagnostics
The challenges faced by
Schema work is a structured approach aimed at identifying and modifying dysfunctional thought patterns and behaviors (see contribution page 6). The professionals use various methods such as questionnaires or tests to identify the underlying schemas of the adolescents. At the beginning of the placement, a thorough test diagnosis is conducted to promote their emotional and social development. Since the successful implementation of schema work in our residential groups, we can better meet the individual needs of adolescents in their complex life situations.
Recognizing and understanding schemas
The professionals work with systemic and resource-oriented approaches. At the same time, they work with the adolescents to recognize, understand, and analyze dysfunctional schemas. We focus on behaviors that lead to recurring conflicts. Using the schema/mode model, we engage adolescents in a process of insight and work. For psychoeducation, we use, for example, schema cards and schema posters. This way, the content is visually understandable for the adolescents.
A common language and corresponding images help to explore the origins of these thought patterns and beliefs together with the adolescents. Proven techniques such as cognitive restructuring and reframing are used. Through these methods, adolescents can not only recognize their own thought patterns but also develop alternative, healthier coping strategies with the professionals. The focus is on promoting self-awareness, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and interpersonal skills.
Change and transfer
In collaboration with the adolescents, professionals create individual development plans with corresponding interventions tailored to the specific needs of each adolescent. Our "toolbox" includes schema questionnaires and supplementary diagnostic questionnaires, schema cards, schema posters, resource work based on the resource model or the strength tree, conscious setting and conversation design, and creative forms of expression such as visualizations, role plays, creative writing techniques, experiential exercises, etc.
The overarching goal is to help adolescents recognize their basic emotional needs through schemas and at the same time build healthier relationships with themselves and others. Caregivers agree on exercises and homework with the adolescents to practice and consolidate newly acquired skills and strategies in everyday life. Trust in their own abilities is strengthened, and adolescents show increased interest in their personal development. Professionals observe that through thorough diagnostics, they reach important issues with the adolescents more quickly, and through deepened joint engagement, relationships grow and become sustainable.
Despite the positive results, challenges remain in implementing schema work. Continuous training and supervision are essential to ensure that staff have the necessary skills and knowledge to apply the methods effectively.
Another challenge for professionals is to reconcile focused schema work with the many other pedagogical and organizational demands.
Schema work has proven to be extremely effective in our residential groups. The methods significantly contribute to improving the quality of life of adolescents and promoting their individual development. They provide professionals with tools to work with adolescents in a focused manner and address relevant topics. For the future, we wish for scientific support and evaluation, on the basis of which we can further develop schema work to ensure success in the future.
Further training in schema work:
Change communication,
Sandra Rüegg
Schema coaching, advanced course youth
Residential group management
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