.png)
Self-Esteem and Self-Worth Therapy
Self-doubt, feeling inferior to others, lacking confidence, or deep-rooted feelings of inadequacy can negatively impact every aspect of our lives.
From relationships with family and friends, to romantic partners, to our performance at work or school – our self-esteem plays an important role in how we live and behave.
Our self-esteem includes what we think about ourselves and the inner dialogue we tell ourselves about our abilities. Critical self-talk, perfectionism, people pleasing, and feeling anxious can all be examples of low self-esteem.
Our self-worth is our belief about our own value and worthiness of love. Our thoughts, feelings, and the ways we act are tied to our self-worth.
The beliefs and thoughts we have about ourselves are not permanent – they can be shifted and changed to allow for a healthy and positive view of ourselves. We can increase and create feelings and beliefs of self-acceptance, self-compassion, and self-love.
How Can Low Self-Esteem Show Up In Our Lives?
Having a Negative Self-Image
Do you often see yourself in a negative light? Focusing on your perceived flaws, shortcomings, and mistakes, you may disregard your positive qualities or minimize your achievements.
Self-Doubt
Believing that you are not capable of success can hold you back, make you doubt your abilities, and avoid taking on challenges, setting goals or working towards opportunities.
Fear of Rejection, Abandonment, or Criticism
In relationships, our patterns of behaviour, such as pulling away from others and not allowing others to be close to us, or, needing constant reassurance and having difficulty trusting others, can be rooted in fears and insecurities. In our personal lives, these fears can manifest as isolating ourselves to avoid social situations where there may be possible opportunities for judgement or criticism.
Negative Self-Talk
Self-critical and negative self-talk berates and reinforces our negative beliefs about ourselves. Caught in a destructive loop, the way we speak to ourselves strengthens our perception of who we are, resulting in a lack of confidence in our abilities and decisions.
Perfectionism
When we place excessive value on attaining certain achievements as a way to validate our self-worth, it can develop into a vicious cycle that results in anxiety, intense pressure, and feelings of failing.
Avoidance of Challenges
Having a fear of failure, we may avoid challenges or new experiences which can limit our personal development and opportunities for growth.
Depression and Anxiety
Depression and anxiety can show up in our lives as our constant negative self-evaluation can contribute to feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness.
Therapy Can Help Improve Your Self-Esteem and Strengthen Your Sense of Self-Worth
We can change the ways in which we think and feel about ourselves.
Just as we have formed the beliefs we hold about ourselves presently, so too can we shift those beliefs, shed what does not benefit us, and genuinely adopt helpful and positive beliefs about ourselves.
How therapy can help change the way you think and feel about yourself for the better:
-
Self-awareness: being aware of our thoughts, feelings, behaviours, and physical sensations can help us identify the patterns we have been falling into that are harmful and limiting to our lives.
-
Identifying root causes: explore the underlying reasons that have shaped your self beliefs and process those experiences to:
-
shed the negative thoughts and emotions that are tied to them, and;
-
replace the negative beliefs with self-compassionate, empowering, and helpful beliefs that strengthen your sense of self worth.
-
Therapy Treatment for Self-Esteem and Self-Worth Can Help You:
-
Reprocess and detach the negative and hurtful emotions tied to past experiences
-
Heal past emotional injuries and restore your sense of self-compassion
-
Help you feel more connected to your authentic self
-
Improve your self-esteem and sense of self-worth
-
Embrace your whole self and live your life more presently
​
