The behavioural experiment framework shows how to test a painful core belief by writing down a prediction, trying a task, recording what happened, and forming a more balanced belief. It is a concise CBT information sheet for people working on depression, negative self-beliefs, unhelpful thinking patterns, thought diaries, hot thoughts, and more compassionate self-talk.
This Core Beliefs CBT Depression Information Sheet PDF helps explain how deeper beliefs can shape automatic thoughts, mood, behaviour, and self-talk during depression. It is designed to make the idea of core beliefs easier to understand, showing how repeated thoughts in a thought diary may point to themes such as not being good enough, being unlovable, feeling unsafe, or expecting rejection.
People can use the prompts to work back from a difficult situation or hot thought and notice the belief that sits underneath it. The handout also encourages a more balanced approach, including looking for evidence, considering alternative explanations, and developing kinder statements that can be tested in everyday life.
- Use in CBT sessions, wellbeing support, or guided self-help.
- Pair with thought records, worksheets, relapse prevention planning, or behavioural experiments.
- Print as a simple client handout or keep as a downloadable reference for revision between appointments.
It is suitable for adults exploring depression with a therapist, counsellor, support worker, or as part of structured home learning. Use it to introduce core belief work, prepare for a review of thought records, or support planning for small experiments that compare predictions with real outcomes. View, download, or print the PDF to keep the steps close at hand.
