This diagram explains the three levels of thinking that we work with in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) to bring about positive change. The three levels are Core beliefs, Rules and Assumptions and Negative Automatic Thoughts. People often approach a psychologist and say “I want to change my thinking”. Indeed this can be done and we use a systematic and evidence based method to help you to make positive changes to your thinking.
CBT Layers of Thoughts
This simple yet powerful diagram helps to illustrate that changing your thinking occurs on different levels. Just like peeling an onion we must start at the outer layer before changing core beliefs or schemas. Using CBT strategies you can learn to identify negative automatic thoughts and challenge unhelpful rules and assumptions and ultimately shift outdated core beliefs.