How Core Beliefs Shape Your Life (And How EMDR Can Help)
You know those thoughts that run through your head on repeat, the ones that are so automatic you don’t even notice them? Those are your core beliefs, and they shape everything—how you see yourself, how you show up in relationships, and how you experience the world.
Core beliefs are the deeply ingrained thoughts that we hold about ourselves, others, and life in general. They form early in life, often based on experiences with caregivers, and can be positive or negative. When they’re helpful, core beliefs can boost your self-esteem and help you feel grounded. But when they’re rooted in trauma or difficult attachments, they can be straight-up toxic.
Let’s say you grew up with a parent who was emotionally unavailable or unpredictable. A core belief might form that says, “I’m not worthy of love,” or “People always leave.” Even if you don’t consciously think these things, they can sneakily influence how you react in relationships—maybe you push people away or, on the flip side, get really clingy because you fear abandonment.
These beliefs don’t just sit quietly in the background; they shape your feelings, your choices, and even your body’s stress response. They’re like the script of your life, and when they’re linked to trauma, that script is often harsh and unforgiving.
Trauma, Attachment, and Core Beliefs
Here’s where things get even deeper. Core beliefs are often tied to our attachment style, which is how we learned to relate to others based on our early caregiving experiences. If you had a caregiver who was emotionally attuned and supportive, you probably developed positive core beliefs like, “I am safe,” or “I deserve love.” But if your attachment experiences were marked by inconsistency, neglect, or abuse, you might be carrying core beliefs like “I’m not enough,” or “The world is dangerous.”
These trauma-rooted beliefs can show up in every part of your life—from your friendships and romantic relationships to how you see yourself at work. They can leave you feeling stuck in cycles of anxiety, depression, or self-sabotage, which is super frustrating when you know that something deeper is driving your pain, but you’re not sure how to fix it.
How EMDR Can Help Shift Core Beliefs
Enter EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a therapeutic approach that helps people process and heal from trauma. It’s especially effective for working with those deep, subconscious core beliefs that are connected to past wounds.
EMDR works by using bilateral stimulation (often side-to-side eye movements) to help your brain reprocess old traumatic memories in a way that loosens their grip on your core beliefs. During EMDR, you’ll revisit a painful memory or belief and, through the process, your brain will start to recognize that you’re no longer in danger. This helps transform beliefs like “I’m powerless” or “I don’t deserve love” into something healthier, like “I am strong” or “I am worthy of love.”
What’s cool about EMDR is that it doesn’t just change the way you think—it changes the way you feel in your body. The belief shifts are emotional, not just logical, so you can actually experience relief and a sense of freedom in your day-to-day life.
Shifting Your Core Beliefs for Good
If you’ve been feeling trapped by negative core beliefs that have been with you for what feels like forever, it’s possible to break free. EMDR is a powerful tool for transforming those beliefs and helping you create a life where you feel secure, grounded, and truly seen.
Ready to shift those deep-rooted beliefs? Let’s talk about how EMDR can help you step into a new narrative—one where you’re the author of your own story, not your past.
