Topic 8: Core Beliefs {by 3/27}
[Core Beliefs] – Watch MDD-16: Core Beliefs – Identifying 2 – Core Belief Flowchart-Part A. Answer the following: (1) In what way was the CBF-A effective in understanding how the clients’ core belief developed? (2) What additional historical information could have been obtained to understand the development of the client’s core belief?
[Core Beliefs] – Watch MDD-17: Core Beliefs – Modifying – Evidence and Advantages/Disadvantages -AND- Modifying 2 – Core Belief Flowchart-Part B. Answer the following: (1) What information or themes obtained from both techniques will be helpful in developing a new core belief? (2) What could be a possible new (positive/realistic) core belief to test with the Core Belief Flowchart (Part B) and a Behavioral Experiment?
Your original post should be posted by the beginning of class 3/27. Have your two replies posted no later than 3/29. *Please remember to click the “reply” button when posting a reply. This makes it easier for the reader to follow the blog postings.
*We will watch “MDD-18: Core Beliefs – Modifying 3 – Behavioral Experiment” in class on 3/27. Behavioral Experiment will be assigned as homework on 3/27 to complete for 4/3.
Dr. Adam M Volungis 
Mar 25, 2025 @ 10:38:45
While watching the video on the CBF-A, it was effective to listen to Mark’s understanding on how his core beliefs of being unlikeable developed by looking back on past experiences that may have influenced his thinking. Mark possesses a sense of self-awareness where he can look back and pick out moments that would have contributed to the present core belief while understanding its role in the process. This is why the flowchart is effective in understanding the client’s core belief because it is gathering more information about their past that would have not been uncovered unless specifically asked about and connected to the core belief in session. However, specifically with Mark’s core belief development, the historical information about his childhood and or adolescence would be helpful in further understanding his core belief. He mentions he is an only child and that his parents are divorced, but says his family is mainly intact. I think going back far enough to his childhood would reveal more about his belief of being unlikeable in relation to past relationships or events.
While watching the video on modifying the core belief, I found it effective for Mark to list out all the advantages and disadvantages being unlikeable even just to have concrete evidence on paper of his thoughts that are aimed to modify the core belief. He gathered evidence that disproved his belief of being unlikeable by looking at the relationships in his life, especially the fact that they have been established for a long enough period of time. This evidence supported the modification of his core belief to being likeable because he was able to prove that he has people in his life who do like him and that want to be around him. The CBF-B is beneficial in the process since he can use that evidence to remind him that his maladaptive core belief is contradicted by the relationships in his life, and it reinforces the positive core belief. A Behavioral Experiment to test the positive core belief would be Mark putting himself out more in a social aspect by making new friends at work or reconnecting with old friends. The more social experiences that support the belief of being likeable reinforce the modification of the core belief.
Mar 25, 2025 @ 10:41:31
Hello Hannah,
This is a thoughtful and insightful reflection on the video! I really liked how you highlighted Mark’s self-awareness and his ability to connect past experiences to his current core belief of being unlikeable. It’s clear how effective the CBF-A flowchart can be in uncovering these hidden influences and allowing Mark to gain a deeper understanding of himself. I also love how you pointed out the importance of exploring his childhood and adolescent years to fully grasp the roots of this belief. The way you connected Mark’s use of concrete evidence, like his long-term relationships, to challenge and modify his core belief is powerful. It’s a great example of how practical tools like the CBF-B and behavioral experiments can support meaningful change. Your analysis shows a deep understanding of the therapeutic process and the importance of creating new experiences to reinforce positive core beliefs. Great work!
Mar 27, 2025 @ 13:06:27
Hello Hannah,
Nice job in pointing out at the contradicting information he gives about parental divorce, but also reports of his family being intact.
There is definitely room to explore in this area.
Mar 27, 2025 @ 13:28:46
Hi Hannah!
I agree that we need more information on Mark’s childhood to fully understand the development of his negative core beliefs. We learned that core beliefs develop mainly during childhood/adolescence, so it would be helpful to understand Mark’s experience even if it was generally positive. Good job!
Mar 27, 2025 @ 14:03:30
Hi Hannah,
Great post! Mark undoubtedly demonstrates self-awareness throughout these videos, as he is able to reflect on the development of his core belief while also considering evidence that disproves the belief. I am also curious to learn more about his family context and upbringing—for example, what is an “intact” family to Mark? Finally, I agree that a promising behavioral experiment with Mark could be social reconnection. Reaching out to old and new friends seems to be a steady goal throughout Mark’s sessions, and using his new core belief in upcoming social situations will begin the modification process.
Mar 30, 2025 @ 18:16:38
I really liked your insights on Mark’s self-awareness and how he connects past experiences to his core belief of being unlikeable. I agree that exploring his childhood further could help us understand more about the roots of this belief. His mention of his family being “intact” despite the divorce is an interesting area to explore.
The way you highlighted Mark’s use of evidence to challenge his belief was great. It’s clear how powerful the CBF-B is in reinforcing the new belief. I also think a behavioral experiment, like reconnecting with old friends, would be a strong step in strengthening his new belief. Great post!
Mar 25, 2025 @ 10:40:10
The core belief flow chart was helpful for Mark in exploring how his past might impact his feelings about his present relationships. As the therapist worked through the questions on the chart, Mark was able to gradually open up more about his emotions and past experiences. He shared detailed accounts of friendships from high school and college, where he felt abandoned when these relationships faded. These memories became focal points in the therapy, as the therapist used them to understand why these situations triggered such intense emotions. By using this approach, the therapist could gather insights into past events that shaped Mark’s belief about himself. Specifically, Mark highlighted two friendships that ended in high school and college, which led him to strongly question his core belief. He also reflected on how these past experiences shaped his tendency to withdraw, as this coping mechanism seemed effective at the time but was no longer useful. Although Mark briefly mentioned his parents’ divorce, he didn’t go into much detail. This may not seem directly related to his current situation, but the therapist could have probed further with more specific questions to gain deeper understanding of this significant life event.
When assessing the core belief flow chart for evidence that either supports or challenges Mark’s beliefs, the therapist can help him see his beliefs in a more realistic light. Recognizing times when he felt capable, valued, or successful can reveal positive traits that Mark may overlook. For Mark, this involves reflecting on his current relationships where he feels loved or appreciated. This process also helps identify any patterns of distorted thinking related to his core beliefs. By showing that his past beliefs may not fully represent who he is today, recognizing these patterns allows Mark to build a new, more realistic core belief grounded in a balanced view of his strengths and areas for growth. Ultimately, Mark may come to see himself as a likable person who deserves affection, especially as he observes the care and affection in his current relationships.
Mar 27, 2025 @ 11:41:14
Hi Tea! I really enjoyed reading your discussion post this week! To begin, I liked how you were able to identify that the flowchart allowed for Mark to explore past experiences and feelings that translated into him recognizing how they shaped his current core belief. I had also liked that you suggested further exploring his parents’ divorce which could lead us to understanding other information and past experiences that shaped his idea that he is unlovable. I appreciated that you explained that the therapist and Mark were able to analyze his belief in a more realistic light. I definitely agree that focusing on times in the past in which Mark has felt loved or appreciated will allow him to place more weight on positive experiences and help him to no longer disregard such. Lastly, I liked your suggestion that a new core belief should be focused on Mark’s strengths because it would negate his past core belief. I thought that your discussion post was very well said and you created some great discussion points!!!
Mar 30, 2025 @ 12:19:11
Hi Tea! I enjoyed the part of your post that talked about the memories becoming focal points in therapy where the therapist is connecting the points of the event and the emotions attached. This is a great point to focus in on for your future career!
Mar 30, 2025 @ 18:19:10
I really enjoyed your post! I agree that the core belief flow chart helped Mark explore how past experiences, like his high school and college friendships, shaped his belief about himself. I also liked how you pointed out the importance of further exploring his parents’ divorce, as it could provide deeper insight into his core belief. Focusing on his current relationships and recognizing times when he felt valued is key to challenging his negative beliefs. Your suggestion of building a new core belief based on Mark’s strengths is a great way to shift his perspective.
Mar 25, 2025 @ 20:26:25
Core Belief Flowchart-Part A
The CBF-A highlighted the influence that friends/family members, contextual factors, and current stressors have in shaping Mark’s core beliefs. The client notes that an accumulation of small events have shaped his perception of being unlikable. Mark recalled both high school and college friendships that waned after a certain point, and associated feelings of unpopularity and being unliked with such patterns. In terms of life stressors, Mark states that he feels like he is under a microscope at work, which contributes to his sense of worth. In a more positive light, the client also discussed his most liked qualities, such as dedication, care, and his previous ability to “be okay with ambiguity.” Ending with the question “what are you most proud of” was an empowering way to end the discussion, though it also revealed how little reward Mark feels at his current job.
Additional historical information could be gathered to better understand the development of Mark’s core beliefs. I am curious to know more about Mark’s patterns of withdrawal. Has this always been a coping mechanism, even before college? Was this a skill learned in childhood to better protect Mark? Further, I want to understand his work history and occupational aspirations a bit more. Mark recalls the reward he felt while working with professors in college, and I think exploring the details of that experience could inform Mark’s future jobs.
Core Belief Flowchart-Part B
While CBF-A assesses the historical development of core beliefs, CBF-B introduces a new perspective that will replace the negative belief. Highlighting examples throughout Mark’s life that have contributed to his core belief are worthy of exploration, as we can better understand significant events and relevant stressors in the client’s life. Mark begins MDD-17 with the awareness that there is more evidence that disproves his belief than supports it, which demonstrates his readiness to replace the negative core belief. Discussing the advantages of Mark’s core belief reveals a new perspective that also informs his traditional coping mechanism of withdrawal. CBF-B invites Mark to consider his work environment in light of the new core belief, “I am generally likeable.” Mark synthesizes the information discussed in CBF-A to discuss the evidence for and advantages of the new belief.
A realistic core belief for Mark could be “I am likable, and it is okay that not everyone will like me.” If this is a bit too extreme, I also like the one used in the video, “I am generally likeable.” Both statements recognize that Mark is likeable but leave room for the reality that not every interpersonal interaction is perfect. Behavioral experiments for this new belief require Mark shift his perspective when events trigger the belief that he is “unlikeable.” Recognizing these scenarios as they occur, considering alternative explanations for others’ behavior, and preventing rumination are all areas in which Mark can implement his new belief.
Mar 27, 2025 @ 11:35:31
Hi Meghan! I really enjoyed reading your discussion post this week!!! To begin, I liked the fact that you addressed that a multitude of events led to the accumulation of Mark’s core belief. There was not ONE event that led to the idea that he is unlovable, rather multiple events. I also liked that you identified how his current feelings and ways of thinking at his place of work, also promote his inability to recognize his self-worth. Your question on Mark’s patterns of withdrawal was a perspective that was incredibly interesting! By understanding his past and current coping mechanisms, this would aid us in developing new and more positive ones!! Lastly, I really appreciated how you discussed that analyzing the pros and cons of his upheld core belief allows us to examine his past coping behaviors. I also believe that your suggestion for Mark’s new core belief is definitely achievable. I think that Mark would be able to analyze new information and experiences that would promote this new core belief. You had a really well thought out discussion post and had created some very compelling points!!!!
Mar 31, 2025 @ 12:07:57
Hi Meghan!
I really enjoyed reading your post! You did a great job highlighting how Mark’s core belief developed through multiple experiences rather than a single event. I also liked your point about his work environment reinforcing his negative belief. It’s a key factor in his struggle with self worth. You also mentioned his withdrawal. Understanding when and why he developed this coping mechanism could help in shifting toward healthier strategies. Your suggested core belief, “I am likable, and it is okay that not everyone will like me,” is a great balance of self-acceptance and realism.
Mar 27, 2025 @ 01:00:44
The core belief flowchart was effective because it helped systematically trace Mark’s automatic thoughts and emotional reactions back to a deeper, more central core belief. Through the use of the downward arrow technique, the therapist guided Mark to move from a surface-level reaction (“they don’t want me around”) to deeper beliefs like “I’m not valued”, “people don’t like me”, and “I’m unlikable”. The flowchart allowed Mark to connect past social interactions to emotional pain and perceived rejection, identify how his self-worth is deeply tied to being included and liked by others, recognize his distress wasn’t just about his friend’s behavior, but rather about his underlying fear of being unwanted and his core belief of being unlikeable, and reflect logically on his evidence (e.g., other friends who do like him”, which showed progress toward challenging and modifying that core belief. The flowchart gave structure to a vulnerable process and created space for insight and cognitive restructuring.
To better understand how Mark’s core belief of being “unlikeable” or “not valued” developed, it would be important to explore his early childhood relationships, past experiences of social exclusion, attachment style and parenting dynamics, if there were any early failures or rejections that reinforced a belief of being unwanted, and cultural or familial expectations. Gathering this background would enrich the therapeutic work by providing more context for the origin and persistence of the core belief.
Several key themes from the evidence examination and advantages/disadvantages analysis would help in shaping a new, healthier core belief. Mark was able to recognize the contradictory evidence against Mark’s feelings of being unlikeable such as Mark’s friends including him in some activities, his long-term relationship with Melissa, and positive interactions with colleagues. Mark was also able to practice cognitive flexibility by acknowledging that some situations are not personal and relationships are not black and white (liking and not liking him). Mark was able to practice emotional awareness when the process reveals his core belief is tied to past experiences of abandonment or feeling left out. Recognizing this helps separate past pain from present reality.
A possible new core belief could be “I am generally a likeable person”. This belief is more balanced and acknowledges that while not everyone will always include him, many people do enjoy his company. This is supported by evidence such as his girlfriend loving him, colleagues respecting him, and some friendships remaining strong. Holding this belief also encourages more social engagement rather than withdrawal. That could lead to experiments to test the belief such as initiating social interactions, challenging negative thoughts in real time, and reframing reactions. All of these actions can help Mark reinforce his new core belief and weaken the old one.
Mar 27, 2025 @ 13:01:52
Hi Emily,
I really like how you brought in the concept of exploring Mark’s attachment style. That would provide huge information on the style of caregiving he received in childhood and beliefs he formed of the world. Cool point.
Mar 27, 2025 @ 13:31:19
Hi Emily!
I agree that exploring Mark’s attachment style and childhood can be helpful to understanding the development of his core belief. If he has a insecure attachment style, this can help understand how his core belief developed and why it keeps being reinforced throughout his life. Good job!
Mar 30, 2025 @ 12:21:03
Hi Emily! I also wrote about something similar in my post where I would like more information on Mark’s childhood. I believe he is aware enough to go far back where he can make some possible connections to his current core belief. Great post!
Mar 27, 2025 @ 11:28:12
The CBF-A was effective in understanding how the clients’ core belief developed because it examined how specific evidence has been used to support the creation of Mark’s core belief. The flowchart allowed for Mark to visualize that past events, particularly in high school and college, aided in the creation of his core belief that he is unlovable. His idea that he is unlovable, was not created out of thin air, as we had discovered through the utilization of the flowchart. By understanding this, it can then be utilized in developing new evidence that could substantiate a new core belief. I believe that a piece of historical information that could be obtained to understand the client’s core belief deeper would be Mark’s relationship with his parents. I would have liked to understand whether or not Mark’s relationship with his parents created a supportive environment for him to explore further relationships as he was growing up, or whether he had struggled to create a meaningful connection with his parents which in terms, hindered his ability to foster other relationships with peers. I wonder if Mark had felt a sense of rejection from his parents at any point in time, that had then become a catalyst to formulating the idea that he is unlovable.
The information that was obtained through the core belief flowchart that would be helpful in creating a new core belief was the advantages and disadvantages of upholding his already formed core belief. When working through the advantages and disadvantages of his core belief, Mark was able to identify why upholding that core belief has been beneficial to him. Mark was able to recognize that this core belief could be utilized as a way to protect him from future hurt. Although Mark identified the advantages of upholding this core belief, he was much more prone to recognizing the disadvantages. Mark had demonstrated a level of self-awareness that this core belief was inhibiting him from creating positive new experiences that could refute his core belief that he is unlovable. I believe that this method of weighing the pros and cons was most beneficial for Mark because he was able to recognize that there were many more disadvantages of upholding this core belief which would then motivate him to create a new core belief. I believe that a possible new core belief to test with the Core Belief Flowchart and a Behavioral Experiment would be “I can understand multiple perspectives”. If Mark was able to uphold this core belief, he would realize that he has the capability of understanding the multitude of possibilities that occur when another person is making a decision or behaving in a certain way. This new core belief would aid Mark in no longer personalizing each decision another person is making and would promote his ability to empathize with others. Rather than taking in information and skewing it to uphold his past core belief, he would realize that he is capable of being analytic and has the ability to understand the many possibilities of why someone is behaving in a particular fashion.
Mar 27, 2025 @ 14:03:41
Hello Nicole,
I really appreciate the insight you’ve provided into how the CBF-A method helped Mark explore the roots of his core belief and how the process of weighing the pros and cons of that belief was helpful in identifying new possibilities for him. It’s clear that Mark’s self-awareness played a significant role in recognizing the disadvantages of maintaining his belief that he is unlovable, which seems to have opened the door for a more positive shift.
I also think your suggestion to explore Mark’s relationship with his parents is a valuable next step in understanding how early familial dynamics may have contributed to his core belief. Understanding if there was any sense of rejection or emotional distance could provide critical context for how Mark formed his belief about himself and relationships with others.
The new core belief you’ve suggested, “I can understand multiple perspectives,” feels like a powerful step toward helping Mark shift his thinking from a place of self-blame to a more open and empathetic outlook. I agree that testing this with the Core Belief Flowchart and behavioral experiments could allow Mark to actively challenge and reframe his old belief, promoting growth and healthier connections with others.
Overall, your analysis of the process and your thoughtful suggestions show a deep understanding of how core beliefs form and can be reshaped over time. Great work!
Mar 29, 2025 @ 13:50:03
Hey Nicole,
Within your response, I especially liked the part where you incorporated the history of Mark’s relationship with his parents and the importance of understanding his core belief. His relationship with his parents could have played a significant role in how he perceives himself and other relationships. His belief of being unlovable could have stemmed from his past experiences with his parents and whether or not they provided a safe nurturing home environment for Mark. This would be vital information to gather to help us better understand how Marks core beliefs developed and the best course of action to modify them.
Mar 27, 2025 @ 12:59:42
A1. CBF-A was effective in understanding Mark’s core belief development because he was able to see similar patterns of thinking throughout his life. He mentioned that his parents held high standards for him, which probably means he holds the same high standards for himself. Going back to high school & college, Mark recalled specific situations that made him feel unlikeable and was able to figure out how this core belief first started being reinforced. Finally, Mark was able to connect those feelings to feelings he has now at work, such as feeling like he is “under a microscope”. He was able to verbalize his internal feelings to gain understanding of his patterns of thinking.
A2. One piece of information I would like to obtain from Mark is how his withdrawal coping mechanism was established. Did he utilize this coping mechanism as a child? And what are his thoughts while he is withdrawn, is he only making himself feel worse by ruminating or is he trying to process the situation? Also, I would like to know more details of Mark’s social life when he was in high school/college. Was he going out with friends regularly? Was he going on dates at this time? I feel like this additional information can help us understand how much Mark reinforces his core belief without realizing it, which can be modified through therapy.
B1. Some themes obtained from both techniques include that Mark knows that his belief is not fully true. He stated throughout the video that he does have meaningful connections in his life and does believe he is likeable. Mark is also able to easily disprove his negative core beliefs with specific examples. We also learned that Mark knows he is hard on himself. This theme is helpful to recognize because if he is aware that he is naturally hard on himself, he can process and situation more deeply and reinforce his new core belief easier. If he did not recognize this, he would likely not be able to find evidence for the new core belief and reinforce his old core belief.
B2. Another positive core belief that can be tested is “I like myself, and it’s okay if others don’t”. This core belief can be good for Mark to obtain so he does not think less of himself or withdraw when he feels unliked. Mark needs to truly like himself and not fill in the holes to figure out if other people like him. If Mark feels like his friends do not like him, it does not need to ruin the rest of his day or week, so he can test this new core belief by minimizing the amount of thought he puts into other people’s perspective of him.
Mar 30, 2025 @ 03:49:35
Hi Rachel! I really liked how you broke down Mark’s process, especially how you highlighted his ability to recognize patterns in his thinking from high school to now. I also agree that it would be helpful to know whether that started early on or was more of a learned behavior later in life. I love the positive core belief you suggested as well, it feels empowering and realistic which is an important step in helping Mark not let perceived rejection define his self-worth.
Mar 31, 2025 @ 12:11:40
Hi Rachel!
I really liked our emphasis on how additional historical information, like family dynamics and childhood experiences, could provide deeper insight. Understanding how early interactions shape a client’s belief system would definitely strengthen the therapeutic process. I also really liked the new core belief you suggested! “I am worthy of connection and respect” is both realistic and empowering, which is crucial for long term change. The idea of reinforcing it through intentional social interactions is a great way to challenge old thought patterns in a tangible way. It’s really helpful to have actionable steps like that to support the belief shift.
Mar 27, 2025 @ 13:00:13
Core Belief Flowchart- Part A was useful for Mark in examining how his past experiences influenced his current emotions and core beliefs about “him being likable”, and how they manifest in current interpersonal situations. As he worked through the process with his therapist, he shared memories of friendships from high school and college that had ended, leaving him feeling abandoned. These reflections helped uncover why similar situations in the present triggered strong emotional reactions. Mark recognized that withdrawing had been his coping mechanism, though it was no longer beneficial. So flowchart A helped him better understand how his deep core beliefs were formed.
Mark briefly mentioned his parents’ divorce. We could have gathered additional information on how Mark experienced his parents divorce, to better understand how were Mark’s needs met during his childhood. Maybe how was it for him to be raised by a single mom (or dad depending on who had custody)? Did he get enough attention and affection to feel cared for, important, valued, likable? Was he neglected due to high demands of life on the parent? Did he see his dad ( or other parent) enough to feel like divorce did not mean abandonment by parent?
Whereas Core Belief Flowchart B was important in evaluating evidence that both supports and challenges Mark’s beliefs. This was crucial to guide him toward a more balanced self-perception. Identifying moments where he feels valued and appreciated (now or in the past) helpes him recognize that his negative core beliefs do not define him, and they were not completely true. This realization encourages him shift his negative core beliefs to more accurate, balanced, and positive ones, allowing him to see himself as likable and deserving of affection.
So Flowchart-B helps Mark effortfully focus his attention on the positives, on the evidence and proof that people like him, and he has good relationships in his life. It forces him to break of the usual tendency of holding negative core beliefs- of only searching and looking for information/ situations that prove/reinforce the negatively held core belief. It allows him to see reality more clearly.
A good experimental task would be initiating more social activities, such as making new friends or reconnecting with old ones. This because, when they do go well, he has more evidence to a positive core belief, but even if they don’t go perfect, there’s opportunity for him to process in therapy the pain, and maybe externalize some of the reasons why making a new friend did not go so well (they don’t have time, but I am likable). Additionally, it creates room in sessions to engage in social skills training, and techniques where he approaches new relationships with confidence.
Mar 27, 2025 @ 14:15:03
Hi Sindi,
You did an excellent job summarizing the purpose and considerations of flowcharts A and B. The first half facilitated Mark’s understanding of how he came to feel “unlikable,” while the second half challenged this belief. Something I did not touch upon in my response was Mark’s parents’ divorce, though I certainly agree that exploring this event and supplemental relationship dynamics would be informative. Understanding how old Mark was when this occurred, changes in attention/affection, and how his coping skill of withdrawal factor into this event may uncover valuable information. Finally, I agree that positive social reconnection will facilitate Mark’s new core belief of being likable. As you said, he will see that these interactions go well, while also having a therapeutic safety net in the case of triggering interactions. Great job!!!
Mar 29, 2025 @ 23:49:41
Hi Sindi,
I like how you mentioned that focusing on the advantages and disadvantages of Mark’s core beliefs were essential for having a “balanced” self-perception. I feel like a lot of people think that negative core beliefs need to be replaced with “positive” core beliefs, but those can end up being just as black-and-white as negative ones. Having the beliefs be balanced is important because they are more realistic. Instead of working to change his negative core belief from “I am unlikeable” to “Everyone likes me,” it’s important to recognize that this still may not be true, but that it still doesn’t make the negative true either. Changing the thought to encompass both possibilities can help Mark have more acceptance when faces with people who may not like him rather than having those moments act towards defining his character overall.
Mar 27, 2025 @ 14:06:55
The CBF-A was highly effective in understanding how the client’s core belief developed. The client was able to recognize how he viewed his core belief of being unlikable. He identified this belief as more of a “self” thing and directed it more towards himself than others. He also was able to address past events that may have contributed to the development of his belief. Based on a similar experience with another friend from the past, this client seemed to use that information as evidence for his current situation. It is possible that this particular situation that happened years ago, and his experience in high school, impacted the development of his current core belief of being unlikeable. Mark has the ability and self-awareness to pinpoint the specific situation’s contribution to his stressors. With the help of the flow chart, both the client and therapist can better understand where Mark’s negative ideas about himself are coming from. This chart is effective in uncovering relevant past information that may not have been addressed within a normal conversation. In previous sessions, Mark never brought up this particular scenario that seems to cause him a significant amount of distress. It may have affected him and caused him distress considering it happened so long ago and he still remembers the most relevant information. Mark addressed information from his childhood experience and not being very popular. Additional historical information regarding his school experience and social life as a child and adolescent would be beneficial in better understanding the development of Mark’s core belief. Along with that, touching upon his family background and the dynamic that has been established at home would be important to consider. How he has been viewed by parents or siblings could play a role in his belief that nobody likes him or wants to be around him.
There are a few themes or information obtained from both techniques that are helpful in developing a new core belief. Maerk was able to identify both the advantages and disadvantages of his negative core belief. This is helpful in emphasizing the disadvantages of Mark’s old core belief while still validating his feelings. Assessing advantages of the new core belief will help the client recognize the similarities between the disadvantages of the old and new belief. Along with that the client can better understand how to reduce the disadvantages of his old core belief. In developing a new core belief it is also helpful to separate oneself from the negative belief and assess the validity and benefits of such thoughts. This is beneficial in allowing the client to notice the separation between their belief of their own core belief and what they think others will believe to be true. A possible new positive and/or realistic core belief to test with these two techniques could be changed from being unlikeable to being a generally liked individual. Mark has solid evidence against the belief that he is unlikeable by the individuals surrounded by him. He has friends at work that have gone out with him before and a loving wife at home that cares for him. Replacing this belief with the idea that he is perceived as a likable person can help Mark rethink that validity and truthfulness of his old belief.
Mar 30, 2025 @ 03:49:58
Hi Lexi! I thought you did a great job highlighting how the flow chart helped uncover deeper insights that didn’t come up earlier in sessions. It’s so interesting how one scenario from the past can still have such a strong emotional impact years later. I also liked your point about separating oneself from the belief and questioning its validity, your suggested new belief for Mark feels realistic and grounded in actual evidence.
Mar 27, 2025 @ 14:32:50
Core Belief Flowchart Part A
Using the core belief flowchart was helpful in understanding how Mark’s core belief developed. A major way this was explored was by exploring Mark’s history, specifically experiences in childhood and adolescence that first led to him questioning his likeability. He identifies an experience in high school in which his friend stopped talking to him out of the blue and another time in college in which his roommate was at first very friendly with him and they would hang out, but after a few months he felt “ghosted” by him. This ghosting seems to be a theme throughout his life, even presently, that is making him feel like people do not like him. Since people are breaking off communication with him without giving him an explanation why, he has been left to fill in those missing pieces himself and unfortunately his negative automatic thoughts have predominated and left him with the belief that he is unlikable/unlovable. Now in situations currently that are ambiguous, he becomes worried that perhaps this person is going to ghost him like the others did. Even in talking about these events years later, they still appear to be creating an emotional reaction from him suggesting that they are very impactful to how this core belief has been maintained for so long.
One area that gets briefly explored is how he is an only child and that his parents got divorced when he was younger. I think this is an area that would be worth further explanation because attachment can have a major influence on how he interacts with other people besides his parents. If he has an insecure attachment, this could potentially why the first ghosting event with his friend was so impactful for him. He describes having other friends during that time, but something specific about this friend left a sting and that is worth exploring as well. It is unclear how long they had been friends for and how strong that friendship was. It could also be helpful to explore alternative reasons why that friendship ended.
Core Belief Flowchart Part B
Some of the information and themes from both flow chart activities seem to be particularly important when it comes to formulating a new core belief. One of the activities was to look at the advantages and disadvantages of believing the core belief. Mark identifies that this belief is protective for him because if he closes himself off from people he avoids potentially getting hurt. However, he is able to identify more disadvantages to outweigh any potential benefits. He has friends and a girlfriend that have been in his life for a long time and have shown that they care about him and enjoy spending time with him. When he withdraws from people, he feels lonely even though he does have people to support him but he is blinded by his own emotions in those moments. There appears to be a theme of Mark overthinking about friendships that have started to dwindle and rather than trying to repair them or talk to the other person about it, he retreats and thinks the worst case scenario (that they do not like him).
A possible new core belief to test with flowchart part B and behavioral experiments is “I have qualities that make me liked by others”. There are people in his life that Mark has identified that do like him so it could be helpful to have this reminder that although maybe there have been people that do not like him, there are still people that do. Even though some people may not like him, this does not erase the fact that there are people that do. He is able to identify his redeeming qualities that make him likeable, and by focusing on his strengths he can focus on the reasons people like him rather than ruminating on the ways people may not. This core belief is similar to the one Mark chose, “I am generally liked by others”.
Mar 29, 2025 @ 22:37:14
Hi Courtney,
I liked how you highlighted how his parents divorce early in life could have been a significant factor in why later events in life were so significant to him. I liked how you tied in what we learned in developmental psychology to this class. I also like how you pointed out that exploring why his friendship ended could provide more information that could be useful for therapy.
Mar 29, 2025 @ 23:38:54
Hi Courtney,
You had a great conceptualization of some potential origin points of Mark’s current core beliefs! I especially like how you pointed out that even though it’s been years since some of these events occurred, Mark still experiences an emotional response to them. This is incredibly useful in gaining insight into the persistence of Mark’s beliefs, and definitely something beneficial to process and focus on while working to dismantle those negative core beliefs!
Mar 27, 2025 @ 14:38:06
CBF-A was particularly effective in helping Mark understand how his core belief developed because it allowed for structured reflection on past experiences. By tracing back moments that reinforced their negative belief, he was able to see how his thought patterns formed over time. This process was essential in making the connection between past experiences and present emotions, providing a clear path to challenge and eventually modify these beliefs. Without a structured approach like the flowchart, many of these underlying connections may have remained unnoticed, preventing deeper insight into the root of the belief. Even still, I think additional historical information could have been beneficial in further understanding the development of the client’s core belief. While Mark was able to recall certain social interactions that contributed to his negative self-perception, a deeper dive into his early childhood and family dynamics could provide a more comprehensive picture.
When modifying the core belief. examining evidence and weighing the advantages and disadvantages both proved to be powerful tools. Listing the advantages and disadvantages of maintaining the negative belief helped Mark recognize how it functioned in his life, sometimes serving as a protective mechanism but ultimately limiting growth. Additionally, by gathering objective evidence that contradicted the belief, such as positive relationships and past accomplishments, he was able to see a more balanced perspective. A potential new core belief that could be tested with the CBF-B is: “I am worthy of connection and respect.” To reinforce this belief, Mark could engage in experiences that challenge his negative assumptions, such as initiating social interactions, expressing their thoughts in group settings, or reaching out to people he trusts for support. By actively seeking and acknowledging moments where he feels valued, Mark can begin to internalize a healthier and more realistic belief about themselves.
Mar 27, 2025 @ 14:47:09
The flowchart actually provided a lot of information due to Mark being aware enough of specific events that may have led him to develop these core beliefs. He was able to recall how the experiences that maybe affected him the most were when he was in highschool and college and how he did have thoughts that perhaps he was not actually friends with the people who he thought were his friends. This started a general trend of having the doubt at the back of his mind that he was unlikeable, however due to college, he was not really able to withdraw and ruminate on those thoughts. Perhaps now due to the stress of work, those negative core beliefs were activated and his negative core beliefs have also increased tension at home so he is unable to really cope. Some historical information that I think could really help with treatment is more information on why he would withdraw whenever he felt depressed? He described that in college, he would withdraw and go play video games and the feelings would pass. Was this coping method working well? Is there a reason that maybe it doesn’t work now? If he were to realize that this coping strategy wasn’t helping him feel better, maybe he would be open to learning a new coping skill.
I believe that the information obtained from part 1 could really help with Mark’s self awareness over his core beliefs. In part 2, helping Mark recognize and list the advantages and disadvantages of his negative core beliefs seem to help him understand why he may act or feel a certain way whenever they occur. This also demonstrated to him how his negative core beliefs could be more disadvantageous than advantageous. A new positive core belief that is realistic is “I am a generally likeable person” and maybe understanding that the world is not a perfect place and there are multiple perspectives you can take.
Mar 27, 2025 @ 23:52:07
Hi Sam! I like how you highlight that stress from work is potentially a contributing factor for the distress that Mark’s automatic thoughts seem to be causing him. Pressure in work could be bleeding over into other areas of his life and causing him to reflect on previous negative experiences, that as you mention, he may not have been able to deal with in the past. I also like you you emphasize a need to explore why he tends to resort to withdrawal as a coping mechanisms in these situations. Understanding where this comes from could help in identifying more effective ways of coping that help him maintain healthy social relationships.
Mar 27, 2025 @ 15:05:10
Mar 27, 2025 @ 16:09:22
The core belief flowchart in part A was effective in understanding how the client’s core belief developed because it looked at the potential “root” of where the belief may have first developed, and how this has influenced his present perception of relationships. Mark was able to revisit past experiences that may not have a “direct” impact now but ended up being key in how his core belief developed and has been maintained/reinforced until now. Being able to revisit and process these events and his associated feelings helped Mark to understand where this belief originated. I think some additional historical information that could have been obtained to further understand the development of his core belief would be to look at his relationship with his parents and his perception of their attitude towards them. Even understanding what his home life may have been like overall could be helpful, because even though his parents may have treated him with love and care, things like divorce or demanding work schedules could have also contributed to these types of beliefs developing.
Some information and themes obtained from both techniques that will be helpful in developing new core beliefs is examining both the advantages and disadvantages of continuing to hold onto his negative core belief. On one hand, holding onto his belief protects him from being hurt from further rejection and vulnerable experiences, but he was also able to recognize that a disadvantage is that he is still being hurt from having the belief itself regardless. Mark’s core belief limits his ability to engage in his social relationships and find meaningful connections. He is also in his own way of modifying this core belief because of this. Ultimately, Mark was able to realize that there were significantly more disadvantages to continue holding onto this negative core belief than advantages, and this recognition can be enough to encourage Mark to work towards developing a new core belief. A possible new core belief to test with the core belief flowchart and a behavioral experiment that is more positive and realistic could be “I am generally liked by others” to combat his current core belief of “I am unlikeable.” In sessions, Mark has already been able to identify evidence to go against his belief of being unlikeable, which can be a great starting point when engaging with the core belief flowchart and behavioral experiments as he works to shift his belief.
Mar 27, 2025 @ 23:47:46
Hi Eleni! I agree with you that it would be worth exploring how Mark’s core beliefs may be connected to his relationship with his parents, specifically when it comes to their divorce. It is possible that Mark was feeling ghosted by one of his parents during the divorce if he suddenly was no longer living with them or spending much time with them. Perhaps he internalized this as them not liking or loving them since he was too young to understand the divorce. I also agree that identifying the advantages and disadvantages of his core belief seemed to help. It seems Mark was able to understand that holding onto this belief is doing more harm than any protection it was meant to do when it first formed.
Mar 29, 2025 @ 21:54:06
Hey Eleni
I really liked how you included the disadvantages and advantages of continuing to hold the core beliefs. Marks belief may hold some real value and comfort that makes it difficult to modify. This can help provide him with the comfort needed to stop him from getting hurt. However, holding onto his belief is also limiting his ability to make a change in his life. Great response Eleni
Mar 29, 2025 @ 22:41:44
Hi Eleni,
I liked the inclusion of the advantage and disadvantages of his negative core belief. Especially the part where even if he has this negative core belief, he is still vulnerable to being hurt. Highlighting the limits of the advantages of his negative core belief as well as how much it limits him can really help encourage him to develop a new more positive core belief.