About this resource
Core beliefs are deeply held ideas about ourselves, other people and the world, often formed early in life. This worksheet helps clients name a core belief, rate how strongly they hold it, notice rules they live by because of it, record experiences that do not fit and develop a more balanced belief to strengthen over time.
Purpose
To help clients identify longstanding beliefs and begin building more balanced alternatives.
Who it is for
Primary profession: Psychologists. Also relevant for counsellors and therapists.
Client or participant group: Adults in CBT-informed treatment, once rapport and formulation are established.
Practice setting: Psychology sessions, usually in the middle phase of therapy.
Suggested uses
- Schema-level work in CBT
- Low self-worth
- Longstanding patterns
- Relapse prevention
Instructions for practitioners
- Use after a formulation is shared.
- Go gently; core beliefs often link to painful experiences, including trauma.
- Collect experiences that do not fit over several weeks.
- Rate belief strength regularly.
Instructions for clients or participants
- Write a belief you notice.
- Rate how strongly you believe it.
- Collect experiences that do not fit.
Accessibility considerations
Can be completed verbally.
Scope and limitations
An educational CBT-informed worksheet for use within treatment. It may bring up painful memories; use within a supportive therapeutic relationship.
Research basis
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has a strong research base for anxiety, depression and many related problems; this resource uses CBT techniques to support, not replace, a structured treatment plan.
- Beck, J. S. (2021). Cognitive behavior therapy: Basics and beyond (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
- Hofmann, S. G., Asnaani, A., Vonk, I. J. J., Sawyer, A. T., & Fang, A. (2012). The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Review of Meta-analyses. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 36(5), 427–440. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-012-9476-1
What is included
A 3-page printable A4 PDF, including a practitioner notes page with the research basis (version 1.0).
Originality
Original Practitioner Plus content: wording, activity structure, layout and icons were created for this resource. No third-party worksheets, illustrations or text were reproduced. Reflects the established concept of core beliefs in cognitive therapy.
