The self-focusing phenomenon of partially coherent beams (PCBs) was simulated using the complex screen method combined with the split-step Fourier method to solve the nonlinear Schrödinger equation. Considering the propagation of Gaussian Schell-model beams in a nonlinear medium as an example, the suppression effects of intensity, propagation distance, and spatial coherence on small-scale self-focusing were demonstrated. Simulations of overall and small-scale self-focusing using this method were compared with the existing literature to demonstrate the validity of the method. This method can numerically analyze the degree of self-focusing in PCBs and advance the study of their nonlinearity.