Our core beliefs, and rules and assumptions develop outside of our awareness. Because it’s much easier for us to become aware of our thoughts than our core beliefs and rules & assumptions, in cognitive therapy, we start by looking at our thoughts. Exploring and examining our thoughts helps us become aware of our rules & assumptions and core beliefs. Once we begin to recognize and understand these deeper beliefs that are responsible for our, we can then examine, evaluate and modify our rules & assumptions and core beliefs.