In everyday CBT practice and personal reflection, core beliefs often explain why some anxious thoughts feel much harder to shift than others. Social-Anxiety-Information-Sheet—10—What-are-Core-Beliefs looks at how deeply held beliefs about the self, other people and the world can sit beneath social anxiety thoughts, and how thought diaries, questioning and behavioural experiments can help bring them into view.
This free Core Beliefs CBT information sheet for social anxiety explains why some social fears can feel convincing even when a person can identify more balanced thoughts. It describes core beliefs as broad, deeply held ideas about the self, others and the world, and shows how beliefs such as “I’m unlovable” may be triggered in everyday interactions with friends, flatmates, colleagues or new people.
It is designed as a clear printable handout for CBT clients, adults exploring social anxiety, counsellors, psychologists and other mental health practitioners. The content can be used in sessions, as home learning, alongside thought diaries, or as a discussion guide when reviewing repeated themes in anxious predictions and self-criticism.
The sheet outlines practical ways to notice and test a belief, including:
- using questions such as “What does that say about me?” to find the belief underneath an anxious thought;
- recording evidence that does and does not fit the belief, rather than focusing only on negative feedback;
- building a more balanced core belief and trying behavioural experiments to see whether it holds up in real situations;
- keeping balanced belief cards as reminders between sessions or during revision of CBT work.
Download or print the PDF to support structured reflection, therapy planning or group psychoeducation. Produced by the Centre for Clinical Interventions.
