Assess the client's level of attachment to the faulty belief. This is necessary in order to get a sense of how much of a client's identity and defensive coping is invested in the belief. Ask the client to rate how true or false a given statement seems on a scale of 1 to 10. Examples of statements that represent false beliefs might include, "I'm the only one who ever feels this way," "No one will love me until I earn it," and "My problems are the result of others refusing to do what I tell them."
Work to relativize and contextualize the belief through counter-examples. For example, if the client strongly identifies with the statement, "I'm a failure unless I can be perfect," one possibility is to engage the client in a discussion about role models, asking the client to realistically assess the balance of strengths and weaknesses in an admired person. The counter-example is then used to make the point that even admirable people are imperfect. Or if the client identifies with the statement, "I will never succeed at anything I try," a possible strategy is to invite the client to place herself on a continuum of success. This is then used to formulate counter-examples showing how the client has enjoyed some success by her own definition.
Strategize with the client to find ways to replace or supplement the belief with alternatives. For example, if the client's core belief is "I need to be in control at all times," work on a strategy that tests the reality of the belief, with the goal of adding caveats such as, "There are times when it's OK to let others take over," or "There are some things that only God can handle." Or, if the client's faulty belief is, "I don't deserve forgiveness," challenge the client to try out alternative beliefs such as, "I've done my share of good and bad things," or "I am grateful to others for what they've done for me".