There is an important difference between mainstream psychology and inquiry: Mainstream psychology leaves many underlying assumptions unloved and unquestioned, and inquiry leaves no stone unturned.
Of course, it depends on the practitioner. I know psychologists who addresses even the most basic underlying assumptions and identities, and I am sure there are people using inquiry who don’t.
I assume that as inquiry and Buddhist practices keeps influencing psychology, there will be a change in how mainstream psychology operates. They may soon recognize the importance of identifying and questioning our more basic assumptions and identities.
What are some of these basic assumptions and identities?
I am X. (My name. Gender. Nationality. Occupation etc.)
I am X. (Personality traits.)
I am X. (Thoughts. Emotions. Awareness. Love.)
I am X. (A body.)
X is as I perceive it. X is findable. (The world. People. Objects.)
X is as I perceive it. X is findable. (Thoughts. Emotions. Sensations. Awareness. Love.)
X is as I perceive it. X is findable. (Space. Time. Past. Future. Present.)
There is a findable threat. There is a findable compulsion.
And more. Whatever we can name, which we usually don’t question.
Why is it important to leave no stone unturned? To leave no assumption unloved and unquestioned, even the most basic ones? It’s because these too are stressful beliefs and identifications. These too are limiting. These too are out of alignment with reality. These basic and underlying assumptions are what most or all of the other (stressful) assumptions and identities rest on.