Increase Self-Esteem

Self-esteem is the way you see yourself and the value you place on who you are. It shapes your inner dialogue, your confidence, and the way you approach relationships, decisions, and challenges. When self-esteem is strong, you’re able to recognize your worth, trust your instincts, and approach life’s ups and downs with a sense of resilience.

But self-esteem isn’t something you’re born with or without. It’s shaped by life experiences, family messages, cultural expectations, and personal beliefs. The good news is that self-esteem is not fixed — it can be nurtured, rebuilt, and strengthened over time.

Low self-esteem doesn’t always announce itself loudly. It can show up in subtle ways, like feeling "not good enough" or doubting your choices, even when there’s no evidence that you’ve done anything wrong. Here are some common signs of low self-esteem:

• Negative self-talk — Your inner voice is often self-critical or harsh.

• Perfectionism — You feel like you need to be perfect to feel worthy.

• Difficulty accepting compliments — Praise from others feels uncomfortable or "untrue."

• Fear of failure — You avoid challenges or risks because you fear making mistakes.

• People-pleasing — You prioritize others' needs over your own to avoid rejection or disapproval.

• Over-apologizing — You frequently apologize, even when you haven’t done anything wrong.

• Self-doubt — You second-guess your choices, abilities, and accomplishments.

• Struggling with boundaries — It’s hard to say “no” or assert your needs in relationships.

These signs aren’t “flaws” — they’re often survival strategies learned over time. Therapy can help you recognize where these patterns came from and guide you toward healthier, more empowering ways of being.

If low self-esteem is affecting your relationships, career, or daily life, therapy could be a valuable step. Here’s how you’ll know if it’s time to seek support:

• Your inner critic is constant and harsh. If you find it hard to be kind to yourself or if self-doubt follows you into every decision, therapy can help you challenge and change those beliefs.

• You feel "stuck" in life. If fear of failure or not feeling “good enough” is keeping you from pursuing opportunities or dreams, therapy can help you break free from that cycle.

• You have trouble setting boundaries. If you tend to overcommit, people-please, or struggle to say "no," therapy can help you build self-trust and assertiveness.

• You avoid taking risks or trying new things. Low self-esteem can make you feel like mistakes are too risky. Therapy can support you in feeling confident, even when faced with uncertainty.

• You feel disconnected from your authentic self. If you feel like you’ve lost sight of who you are, what you want, or what you deserve, therapy can help you reconnect with your sense of self.

Seeking therapy isn’t about "fixing" yourself — it’s about reconnecting with the version of you that already exists beneath the doubt. Self-esteem is a relationship you have with yourself, and like any relationship, it can be healed with time, patience, and support.

In therapy, we’ll work together to build your self-esteem from the ground up. Early on, we’ll focus on immediate relief from negative self-talk and self-doubt. From there, we’ll explore the deeper roots of your self-esteem struggles — whether they stem from childhood experiences, past relationships, or societal pressures. We’ll address those roots with compassion and care, so you can rebuild your sense of self from a more empowered, self-compassionate place.

As you begin to feel more confident, therapy will shift toward maintaining your progress and supporting you as you step into new opportunities with courage. The goal isn’t just to feel “better” — it’s to feel stronger, more whole, and more connected to your true self.

With the right support, you can release the weight of self-doubt, quiet your inner critic, and grow into a person who fully trusts their worth, their voice, and their value. Your self-esteem is not fixed — it’s a reflection of the relationship you have with yourself, and that relationship can be healed.

Growth is not always linear, sometimes we take two steps forward and three steps back and that’s okay. You may revisit familiar doubts or insecurities that stir up emotions within you, but each time, you’ll face them with deeper awareness and stronger skills. You’ll know you’re making progress when:

• You speak to yourself with kindness, rather than criticism.

• You recognize and challenge self-limiting beliefs.

• You feel a growing sense of confidence and self-assurance.

• You feel more comfortable setting boundaries and asserting your needs.

• You are able to take risks, pursue your goals, and show up fully as yourself.

• You begin to trust your own wisdom, decisions, and abilities.

Therapy is a collaborative process, and your engagement is key to creating lasting change. Here’s how you can get the most out of it:

• Show up with intention — prioritize your healing and make each session count.

• Be honest and open — share your struggles and successes freely.

• Stay open and motivated to explore new perspectives and make meaningful changes.

• Complete any assignments or practices between sessions to reinforce your growth.

• Take healthy risks by stepping outside your comfort zone.

• Embrace honest feedback as a tool for insight and transformation.

• Celebrate your progress because every small shift matters, and self-esteem builds with each success.