Understanding Core Beliefs in CBT: How They Shape the Way You See Yourself, Others, and the World

If you’ve ever found yourself caught in a cycle of self-criticism, anxiety, or relationship struggles, your core beliefs may be playing a bigger role than you realize. In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), these deep-rooted beliefs form the foundation of how we interpret and respond to life experiences.

I’m Dr. Ashley Jarvis, a therapist based in Colorado, specializing in evidence-based therapies like CBT and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). My goal is to help clients identify and reshape unhelpful thinking patterns so they can live with more confidence, connection, and peace.

What Are Core Beliefs?

Core beliefs are the deeply held assumptions we have about ourselves, other people, and the world around us. They often develop early in life through experiences with family, culture, and relationships.

In CBT, these beliefs are often grouped into three main categories:

1. Beliefs about Self – How you view your own worth and capability.

   • Examples: “I’m not good enough,” “I’m unlovable,” or “I can handle challenges.”

2. Beliefs about Others – How you interpret other people’s intentions or reliability.

   • Examples: “People can’t be trusted,” “Others will always leave,” or “People are generally kind.”

3. Beliefs about the World – How you see the environment or life circumstances around you.

   • Examples: “The world is unsafe,” “Life is unfair,” or “There are opportunities everywhere.”

These beliefs shape your emotional reactions, decisions, and relationships—often without you realizing it.

How Core Beliefs Influence Emotions and Behavior

When your core beliefs are negative or rigid, they can fuel anxiety, perfectionism, depression, or self-doubt.

For example:

• If your belief is “I’m not good enough,” you might overwork, seek constant reassurance, or avoid new challenges altogether.

• If you believe “People can’t be trusted,” you might struggle with intimacy or keep emotional distance even in close relationships.

CBT helps uncover these patterns and challenge the automatic thoughts that reinforce them.

How CBT Helps You Change Core Beliefs

Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, we work collaboratively to:

1. Identify negative thought patterns that reflect your deeper beliefs.

2. Examine the evidence for and against those beliefs.

3. Develop more balanced perspectives based on your real experiences.

4. Practice new behaviors that reinforce healthier ways of thinking and relating.

This process helps you feel more grounded, resilient, and self-compassionate. You begin to act in alignment with who you truly are—not with the old beliefs that kept you stuck.

Common Core Belief Shifts in Therapy

Old Core Belief	Healthier Alternative
“I’m a failure.”	“I make mistakes, but I can learn and grow.”
“Others will hurt me.”	“Some people are trustworthy; I can choose safe connections.”
“The world is dangerous.”	“There are risks, but also safety and support.”

Healing Begins with Awareness

Exploring your core beliefs is powerful, but it takes courage and support. Many of my clients in Colorado begin CBT feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, perfectionism, or people-pleasing—and leave therapy with a renewed sense of clarity and self-trust.

CBT doesn’t just change the way you think; it changes the way you relate to yourself and the world around you.

Begin CBT Therapy in Colorado with Dr. Ashley Jarvis

If you’re ready to uncover and transform the beliefs that hold you back, CBT can help you create lasting change.

I offer individual therapy for anxiety, burnout, and perfectionism across Colorado and Georgia, both in-person and via teletherapy. Together, we’ll identify your core beliefs, strengthen emotional regulation skills, and help you live in alignment with your values.

✨ Start your journey today — visit www.doctorashleyjarvis.com