ABSTRACT
Educating clients about core beliefs serves as a prelude to modifying them. Core beliefs are usually formed in the light of early learning experiences. However, they can recently form. Core beliefs can both positive and negative; most people have both. Core beliefs process incoming information and thereby decide how we perceive events; in a sense, we can only see what the core belief allows us to. Dormant negative core beliefs are often activated and thereby pass into our awareness at times of emotional distress. There are three main maladaptive behavioural responses used to cope with negative schemas: Surrender, Avoidance and Overcompensation. The schema change remains an option if the client returns to therapy at a later date, and therapy end with a feeling of mutual satisfaction with what achieved instead of a sense of failure that the client has 'shirked' the challenge of schema change and the therapist was not skilful enough to encourage her to undertake it.
