SECTION A.

Core beliefs are firmly held ideas about yourself, other people, and the world.

Our beliefs can be influenced by our family and friends, location and culture, religious background, and past experiences. 

What Are The Theories Behind This Worksheet?

Core beliefs develop as a result of our early experiences in childhood and go on to influence the way we make sense of the world and our daily experiences. 

According to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), core beliefs play a significant role in the development of mental health disorders and our emotional well-being. 

The two common core beliefs that put people at risk of mental health problems are; Defectiveness and Abandonment.

Defective is the core belief that you are worthless or not good enough. Abandonment is the core belief that you will be automatically rejected by others or ultimately end up alone. 

How Will This Worksheet Help You?

This worksheet will help you identify your core beliefs and be aware of how they shape your thought patterns, interpretation of events, and decisions.

This worksheet will also help you learn how your core beliefs can impact your mental health and emotional well-being.

How Should You Use This Worksheet?

You should use this worksheet to help build positive core beliefs in your everyday life.

SECTION B.

CORE BELIEFS MENTAL HEALTH WORKSHEET

1. Identify some of your core beliefs.

2. How have your core beliefs affected your life?

3. List some of your defective core beliefs and abandonment core beliefs.

DEFECTIVE CORE BELIEFS	ABANDONMENT CORE BELIEFS

4. How are the above core beliefs holding you back in your everyday life?

5. Identify ways in which you can change these negative core beliefs to positive core beliefs.

6. How do your core beliefs boost your mental health?

7. Identify the importance of core beliefs in your personal life and the corporate world.

PERSONAL LIFE	CORPORATE WORLD

REFERENCE:

The British CBT & Counseling Service. (© 2022). How do Core Beliefs Cause Mental Health Problems? Available at: https://www.thebritishcbtcounsellingservice.com/2015/01/how-do-core-beliefs-cause-mental-health-problem/. [Accessed November 22, 2022]

Psych Central. (© 2005-2022). What Are Core Beliefs and How Do They Affect Your Health? Available at: https://psychcentral.com/health/core-beliefs-examples.  [Accessed November 22, 2022]

You can download this worksheet here.