Pattern Theory

🧠 What Is Pattern Theory?

Pattern Theory is a tool we use to map out the emotional, cognitive, and behavioural loops that get triggered in your life — often automatically.
At the centre of each pattern is a limiting belief — a core idea about yourself or the world that was likely shaped by early experiences.

Common examples include:

• “I’m not enough”

• “I have to be perfect”

• “If I let go, everything will fall apart”

• “People will leave if I stop trying”
  
  

These beliefs quietly influence how we act, how we relate to others, and how we process stress — often without us realizing it.

🔄 The Pattern Loop

Here’s how these patterns work:

1. Limiting Belief – a core idea that shapes how you interpret the world

2. Dysfunctional Need – the internal pressure created to avoid feeling the belief

3. Pressure Cooker – the emotional, mental, and physical effort it takes to live up to that need

4. Opt-Out Behaviour – when the pressure becomes too much, we act out in reactive ways (snapping, procrastinating, isolating)

5. Self-Fulfilling Prophecy – the behaviour reinforces the original belief (e.g., “See? I really am failing”)
   
   

This is how burnout, emotional dysregulation, and chronic reactivity form — not randomly, but predictably.

💡 Why It’s Helpful in Therapy

Understanding your pattern gives you something many people haven’t had before: a clear, logical explanation for your most frustrating reactions.

It reduces shame, builds insight, and sets the stage for real change.

Once the pattern is identified, we use our Reconditioning Protocol to help your brain stop reacting to those beliefs like they’re still true — even if they were once rooted in real experience.

👥 Who Benefits from Pattern Theory?

This framework is especially useful for people who:

• Keep repeating emotional or relational patterns

• Have tried other therapies but still feel stuck

• Struggle to rest or stop performing

• Live with internalized pressure, perfectionism, or identity conflict

• Feel like they know better — but keep reacting the same way

📍 Edmonton Therapy Rooted in Pattern Theory

Our Westmount-based team applies this framework in every session — not just to label problems, but to guide real, sustainable change.
We offer in-person and virtual therapy for clients across Edmonton and Alberta.

📘 Learn More

• Explore: Identity Patterns Therapy →

• Visit: The ShiftGrit Core Method →

• Read: Why Overachievers Burn Out →

• Book: Start with an Enriched Intake

📍 Serving Edmonton & Alberta