The Positive Core Belief Evidence Record helps clients develop and strengthen new, positive core beliefs by systematically collecting evidence that supports them.
Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
Includes client-friendly guidance. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
The Positive Core Belief Evidence Record is designed to assist clients in consolidating positive core beliefs. Core beliefs influence information processing and memory recall, affecting how individuals interpret their experiences. Strengthening positive beliefs is believed to be particularly effective in helping individuals accept and recall positive life experiences, and to think more flexibly.
Strengthening positive core beliefs contribute to improved client outcomes in cognitive therapy.
Chronic low mood associated with negative core beliefs.
Clients needing to strengthen positive beliefs about their self-worth.
Working at the level of core beliefs can help individuals with personality disorders, eating disorders, and other longstanding difficulties.
Clarify the client's current negative core belief.
Help the client create an emotionally resonant positive belief.
Encourage clients to consistently document small pieces of evidence supporting their new belief.
Remind clients that strengthening positive core beliefs is a long-term effort.
Core beliefs are global, unconditional, and overgeneralized beliefs about the self, other people, and the world. Core beliefs are also strongly held and difficult to modify through experience (Wenzel et al., 2009). According to the cognitive model, core beliefs influence the selection and interpretation of incoming information, and so contribute to information processing biases (Riso & McBride, 2007). They also impact memory recall, since individuals tend to remember congruent experiences (Clark & Beck, 2010). As a result, they exert a powerful influence – usually below the threshold of awareness – on how people think, feel, and behave.
Core beliefs can be addressed in different ways. One common approach involves the identification, re-evaluation, and empirical testing of negative core beliefs (e.g., Arntz, 2018; Young, 1999). Alternatively, therapists may focus on creating and strengthening clients’ positive core beliefs (e.g., Padesky, 1994; Greenberger & Padesky, 2016). Core beliefs can be addressed in different ways. One common approach involves the identification, re-evaluation, and empirical testing of negative core beliefs (e.g., Arntz, 2018; Young, 1999). Alternatively, therapists may focus on creating and strengthening clients’ positive core beliefs (e.g., Padesky, 1994; Greenberger & Padesky, 2016). Research suggests that targeting positive core beliefs has therapeutic potential. For example, positive schemas are associated with reduced emotional distress and symptomatology, as well as increased wellbeing, resilience, and life satisfaction (e.g., Chi et al., 2022; Cooper & Proudfoot, 2013; Louis et al., 2018).
Therapists benefit from a clear framework for building positive core beliefs and counter-balancing the effects of negative core beliefs.