What are core beliefs?
Life’s challenges can be overwhelming; everyone deserves a space to feel heard and supported. At Roamers Therapy, we provide trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, LGBTQIA+ affirming, and evidence-based environments to help you heal, grow, and navigate your mental well-being journey. As your psychotherapist, we are here to guide you every step of the way.
Core beliefs refer to an individual’s most central beliefs about themselves. Core beliefs are formed by various experiences we have had and different messages we received throughout our upbringing. These beliefs are the way we see ourselves and the way we view the world around us. Our core beliefs also impact how we interact with others and how optimistic we may feel about the future. Because core beliefs are so unique to our own, individual experiences, different people can have different reactions to the same situation.
How can core beliefs be harmful?
We all have core beliefs. Some of these core beliefs can be positive; however, many times clients find themselves having to deal with the distress of harmful core beliefs. Some common harmful core beliefs that people hold are “I am a failure,” “I am unlovable,” “I am a bad person,” and “Nothing ever goes my way.” These beliefs are often rigid and evidence that contradicts these beliefs are often ignored. This is because core beliefs often feel real despite their inaccuracy. Holding harmful core beliefs can be damaging to a person’s self-esteem and can lead to anxiety, depression, and other problems that can affect multiple domains of functioning (e.g., social and occupational).
Find the Best Therapist in Chicago to Challenge Harmful Core Beliefs
Holding a harmful core belief can be very difficult to manage. It can often feel overwhelming and may make people feel hopeless that things may change. However, it’s important to know that no one is born with these core beliefs. Core beliefs are learned responses to a variety of stressful and traumatic events that occurred throughout our formative years. Because core beliefs are learned, they can be unlearned. You can also work with your therapist to help challenge harmful core beliefs. One thing you can do to challenge your harmful core beliefs is to reflect on all the (specific) experiences you have that disprove the belief. For instance, if you feel that you are a failure in school, think about all the times you succeeded. Write down these examples and then try to come up with a balanced thought. This could be something like, “I am smart and succeed when I put effort in studying.” It may be difficult at the beginning, but the more we challenge these thoughts the easier unlearning these harmful thoughts can be.
At Roamers Therapy, our psychotherapists are here to support you through anxiety, depression, trauma and relationship issues, race-ethnicity issues, LGBTQIA+ issues, ADHD, Autism, or any challenges you encounter. Our psychotherapists are trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Acceptance, and Commitment Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Gottman Therapy.
Whether you’re seeking guidance on a specific issue or need help navigating difficult emotions, we’re ready to assist you every step of the way.
Contact us today to learn more about our services and schedule a session with our mental health professionals to begin your healing journey. To get started with therapy, visit our booking page.
First, decide if you’ll be paying out-of-pocket or using insurance. If you’re a self-pay client, you can book directly through the “Book Now” page or fill out the “Self-Pay/Out-of-network Inquiry Form.” If you’re using insurance, fill out the “Insurance Verification Form” to receive details about your costs and availability. Please let us know your preferred therapist. If your preferred therapist isn’t available, you can join the waitlist by emailing us. Once your appointment is confirmed, you’ll receive intake documents to complete before your first session.
This page is also part of the Roamers Therapy Glossary; a collection of mental-health related definitions that are written by our therapists.
While our offices are currently located at the South Loop neighborhood of Downtown Chicago, Illinois, we also welcome and serve clients for online therapy from anywhere in Illinois and Washington, D.C. Clients from the Chicagoland area may choose in-office or online therapy and usually commute from surrounding areas such as River North, West Loop, Gold Coast, Old Town, Lincoln Park, Lake View, Rogers Park, Logan Square, Pilsen, Bridgeport, Little Village, Bronzeville, South Shore, Hyde Park, Back of the Yards, Wicker Park, Bucktown and many more. You can visit our contact page to access detailed information on our office location.