Objective The objective of this paper was to examine the relationships between perceived parental bonding, Early Maladaptive Schemas (Young et al., 2003), and outcome of schema therapy of Cluster C personality problems and whether the perceptions of parental bonding could be influenced by schema therapy. Method The sample consisted of 45 patients with panic disorder and/or agoraphobia and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, Cluster C personality traits who participated in an 11‐week inpatient programme consisting of two phases; the first was a 5‐week panic/agoraphobia‐focused cognitive therapy, whereas the second phase was a personality‐focused schema therapy. The patients were assessed at pre‐treatment, mid‐treatment and post‐treatment and at 1‐year follow‐up. Results Opposite to our hypothesis, lower paternal care at pre‐treatment was related to more reduction in Cluster C personality traits from pre‐treatment to 1‐year follow‐up. Maternal protection was related to the schema domains of impaired autonomy and exaggerated standards. Overall schema severity and the schema emotional inhibition at pre‐treatment were associated with less change in Cluster C traits. Perceived maternal care was reduced from pre‐treatment to 1‐year follow‐up, and more reduction in maternal care was related to less reduction in Cluster C traits. Discussion Parental bonding failed to predict treatment outcome in the expected direction, but maternal protection was related to two of the schema domains. Overall schema severity and the particular schema emotional inhibition predicted outcome. Furthermore, perceived maternal care was reduced from before to after treatment. Future studies should examine these questions in larger samples of Cluster C patients receiving schema therapy of a longer duration. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Message Most schemas within the impaired autonomy domain and the schema self‐sacrifice seem to be related to low perceived maternal protection. Overall schema severity and the schema emotional inhibition predict a poorer outcome of schema therapy of Cluster C personality problems, and therapy should give priority to emotional inhibition when this schema is endorsed. Therapists should be aware that schema therapy carries the risk to lead to a more negative view of mother's care during upbringing and this risk is accentuated with less benefit of therapy.