Core Beliefs and How They Can Interfere with Getting to Know Our Authentic Selves

What are Core beliefs? The concept of core beliefs stems from Adlerian Psychology and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Core beliefs are beliefs we hold about ourselves, other people, and the world that have been shaped by our childhood experiences and environments. Core beliefs are informed by the messages we receive, and assumptions that we make, in childhood. These messages can come in the form of explicit and implicit messages, our perception, and what is modeled to us. Although they are subjective in nature, we often hold them as fact on a subconscious level. They guide our thoughts and behaviours and are self-perpetuating because we accept messages or information that align with our core beliefs, strengthening these beliefs throughout our lives, while we reject or challenge messages or information that contradicts these beliefs. Core beliefs cause us to re-enact patterns of behaviours and dictate our automatic thoughts which further strengthen these beliefs.

We may believe we are evaluating or assessing a situation objectively because we are not aware that we are filtering the information we are receiving through these beliefs which create the lens through which we view or perceive the world. They are the roots of our tree buried deep beneath the soil that we may not be able to see but guide our thoughts and behaviours throughout our lives.

Examples of negative core beliefs include I am a failure, I don’t belong, I am unlovable. People are untrustworthy, people are cruel, people cannot be counted on. The world is unsafe, the world is unpredictable, the world is chaotic.

The following examples reflect how our core beliefs can guide our thoughts and behaviours. A person holds the belief that they are a failure because of internalized messaging from childhood. That person focuses on their failures while dismissing any achievements as unimportant or irrelevant (confirmation bias). They hold themselves back from situations in which they would have succeeded preventing them from reaching their full potential.

A person whose belief is that people are not trustworthy may seek out relationships with people who are not trustworthy due to a feeling of familiarity which then confirms the belief system. Or that person may be guarded with others because of this belief system which causes those around them to act distant confirming that person’s belief (self-fulfilling prophecy).

A person who believes the world is unsafe may experience anxiety anytime they are put in new environments or situations. The anxiety leads the person to believe that the world must not be safe (emotional reasoning).

How do core beliefs interfere with understanding and getting to know our authentic selves? Your authentic self is who you truly are, an honest representation. If you are locked to your negative core beliefs and reject any information that contradicts these beliefs (strengths, positive characteristics, and so on) than these beliefs prevent a more accurate representation that incorporates our multidimensional qualities. Our core beliefs can also prevent us from trying new things, stepping out of our comfort zone, and reaching our full potential. This prevents us from achieving personal growth and development, and seeing ourselves as who we are now rather than how we viewed ourselves when we were young children. We become the helpless child throughout our lives, for example, rather than the empowered adult who makes healthy decisions that align with our current beliefs. It keeps us locked to a very limited view of self, one that is often unhelpful and unrealistic.

How do we identify our core beliefs? We can identify our core beliefs by identifying recurring negative thought patterns or behavioural patterns that are re-enacted throughout our lives. We can explore what we may have learned in our childhood environments and experiences and through our family of origin. We can also begin to evaluate our automatic thoughts and explore where they may stem from. Counselling can help to unearth these beliefs by having an unbiased person facilitate the self-discovery.

After identifying our core beliefs, taking them out of our blind spots, we can then challenge them. We can ask ourselves questions that allow us to understand the situation more objectively, for example, what would you say to a friend who may be in a similar situation? We can ask others in our lives who we trust and consider to be healthy supports their perception of us to help challenge how we may see ourselves. Writing a list of evidence that challenges these negative beliefs that we hold about ourselves, others, and the world can also helpful.

Time to get to know your authentic self and replace negative beliefs. Explore who you are as an adult, your likes, dislikes, and boundaries. Challenge yourself to try new things and meet new people to get to know other sides of yourself. Replace old negative beliefs with beliefs that align with your authentic self. You can the use your logical brain to explore a healthier way to see yourself, others, and the world. What would a more helpful belief system look like and how might that change your thoughts and behaviours? It’s never too late to make changes that allow you to have a more meaningful and fulfilling life that reflects who you really are and let go of an image that was created before you even had a chance to get to know yourself.

 Click here to access a handout on core beliefs.

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