Self-Esteem
Low self-esteem isn't a personality trait — it's a pattern of thought and belief that was learned somewhere along the way. And what's learned can be unlearned. Therapy offers a space to examine where your self-image came from, challenge the beliefs that no longer serve you, and build something more honest and stable in their place.
What It Can Look Like
- check_circle A persistent inner critic that's louder and harsher than you'd be to anyone else
- check_circle Difficulty accepting compliments or internalizing positive feedback
- check_circle People-pleasing or difficulty setting boundaries out of fear of rejection
- check_circle Comparing yourself to others and consistently coming up short
- check_circle Imposter syndrome — a sense that you're fooling people and will be found out
- check_circle Shame spirals after mistakes or perceived failures
- check_circle Making yourself smaller in social or professional situations
Self-esteem is built in relationship — with caregivers, peers, teachers, partners — and it's shaped by experience, messages, and the stories we absorb about our worth. The inner critic that feels so familiar is often an internalized voice from outside, not a reflection of truth.
Building genuine self-esteem isn't about affirmations or forced positivity. It's about developing a more honest and compassionate relationship with yourself — one that can hold both your strengths and your limitations without either inflating or collapsing.
In therapy, we work to identify the specific negative beliefs you carry, trace their origins, and build new narratives based on evidence. We also practice self-compassion — not as a soft platitude, but as a serious skill that research consistently links to resilience and psychological well-being.
My Approach
I use CBT-based self-compassion work, schema therapy concepts, and values clarification to help clients build a healthier relationship with themselves. This is gradual, honest work — we don't bypass the parts that are hard, we work with them.