This study explored the relationships between complex trauma, dialectical core schemas and emotional processing difficulties in a non-clinical sample. Drawing from schema theory and emotion-focused models, we examined how complex trauma contributes to the development of maladaptive self and other-representations and their impact on emotional functioning. A total of 185 participants (Mage = 35.16, SD = 12.10) completed validated self-report measures assessing trauma exposure, core schemas, emotional processing, and psychological symptomatology. Correlation analyses revealed that complex trauma was significantly associated with maladaptive self-schemas and all dimensions of emotional processing difficulties. An hierarchical regression model showed that complex trauma and emotional processing difficulties, but not core schemas, significantly predicted psychological distress. Mediation analysis further indicated that complex trauma mediated the relationship between maladaptive self-schemas and emotional processing difficulties. These findings highlight the role of complex trauma in shaping maladaptive cognitive-emotional structures and impairing emotional processing, underscoring the need to target trauma and emotion regulation in therapeutic interventions.