Mode Work: Navigating Your Internal Teams

Using Schema Therapy 'Modes' to manage the Impulsive Child, the Punitive Critic, and the Healthy Adult.

The Inner Management Team

In Mode Work, we don't just talk about "feelings." We talk about the Parts of you that are feeling them.

The Trio of ADHD Modes: 1. The Impulsive Child: This part wants dopamine *now*. It wants the video game, the sugar, and the novelty. It's creative but lacks a clock. 2. The Punitive Critic: This part is the "voice of society." It calls you "lazy" and "useless" when the Impulsive Child makes a mistake. 3. The Healthy Adult: This is YOU. This part recognizes: *"My child side is bored, and my critic side is being mean. I am going to set a 10-minute timer for the child, and tell the critic to be quiet."*

Therapy is the process of putting the Healthy Adult in charge of the team, so the "Child" can play safely and the "Critic" loses their power.