Core beliefs are a person’s most central ideas about themselves, others, and the world. These beliefs act like a lens through which every situation and life experience is seen. In cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), core beliefs are thought to underlie automatic thoughts.

The Core Beliefs Info Sheet includes a simple definition of core beliefs, along with examples showing how they affect thoughts, behaviors, and feelings. To further illustrate the concept of core beliefs, this worksheet includes lists of common core beliefs, consequences of core beliefs, and other important facts.

In this handout we assume that clients have a basic understanding of CBT, and they have already spent time exploring their automatic thoughts.

To help clients explore their core beliefs, try the Core Beliefs: Examining the Evidence worksheet.