Introduction: The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of contextual schema therapy on anxiety symptoms and experiential avoidance in patients with generalized anxiety disorder. Method: This quasi-experimental research employed a single-group pretest-posttest design with a two-month follow-up. The statistical population included all individuals with generalized anxiety disorder who had been referred to the counseling centers of the University of Birjand and Hamrh-E Hamishegi Clinic in Birjand from 2022 to 2024. The sample included 23 patients selected through purposive sampling. Participants received individual contextual schema therapy for 16 sessions (60 minutes). To collect data, The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment-7 (GAD-7), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire–II (AAQ-II) were used. The data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance and the Reliable Change Index (RCI). Results: The results showed that contextual schema therapy reduces anxiety and experiential avoidance symptoms in patients with generalized anxiety disorder significantly (p<0.05). The Reliable Change Index on anxiety and experiential avoidance symptoms was also significant. Finally, the improvement of symptoms during the follow-up was also significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Contextual schema therapy is effective in reducing anxiety and experiential avoidance symptoms and can be used as a therapeutic approach in improving patients with generalized anxiety disorder.
Rezaei, M. (2026). The effectiveness of contextual schema therapy on anxiety symptoms and experiential avoidance in patients with generalized anxiety disorder. Clinical Psychology: Research and Practice Innovations", 18(2), -. doi: 10.22075/jcp.2025.36142.3066
MLA
Rezaei, M. . "The effectiveness of contextual schema therapy on anxiety symptoms and experiential avoidance in patients with generalized anxiety disorder", Clinical Psychology: Research and Practice Innovations", 18, 2, 2026, -. doi: 10.22075/jcp.2025.36142.3066
HARVARD
Rezaei, M. (2026). 'The effectiveness of contextual schema therapy on anxiety symptoms and experiential avoidance in patients with generalized anxiety disorder', Clinical Psychology: Research and Practice Innovations", 18(2), pp. -. doi: 10.22075/jcp.2025.36142.3066
CHICAGO
M. Rezaei, "The effectiveness of contextual schema therapy on anxiety symptoms and experiential avoidance in patients with generalized anxiety disorder," Clinical Psychology: Research and Practice Innovations", 18 2 (2026): -, doi: 10.22075/jcp.2025.36142.3066
VANCOUVER
Rezaei, M. The effectiveness of contextual schema therapy on anxiety symptoms and experiential avoidance in patients with generalized anxiety disorder. Clinical Psychology: Research and Practice Innovations", 2026; 18(2): -. doi: 10.22075/jcp.2025.36142.3066
