The term self-esteem refers to our overall subjective emotional evaluation of our own worth – in other words, it’s your attitude towards yourself. Self-esteem begins to take shape in childhood and can be influenced by many factors, including early experiences at home or school, familial relationships, the media, your age and role in society and how people react to you. It is totally normal for your self-esteem to fluctuate – for example feeling down about yourself once in awhile. However, most individuals develop a baseline self-esteem that remains fairly constant over the course of their lifetimes. If you are struggling with low self-esteem, you likely spend significant time criticizing yourself and you may experience frequent feelings of shame and self-doubt. The good news is that, with work, you can change your baseline self-esteem. Therapy for self-esteem issues can help you work toward feeling confident, valuable, and worthy of respect. Reach out to one of TherapyDen’s self-esteem experts today.
How you view yourself, impacts how you view your world and your relationships. In our work, I aim to uncover the root causes of your self-doubt and work to challenge and reframe these negative thought patterns to guide you towards a place of self-acceptance, confidence, and inner strength. I believe that anyone can cultivate a deep sense of self-esteem and self-worth that allows them to navigate life's challenges with resiliency, authenticity, and a renewed sense of purpose.
— Lauren Schechter, Psychotherapist in Philadelphia, PAMost of us will have moments where we don't feeling good enough or worthy in some way, shape, or form. To live from a place of "not feeling good enough" is so incredibly painful, lonely, and often accompanied by shame. By using literature by Brene Brown, my work focuses on attending to and soothing those parts of ourselves, encouraging vulnerability, and reminding my clients of the beauty in their humanity.
— Margaret Touny, Clinical Psychologist in , ILMany of us struggle with our self-esteem. We often have negative self talk and see ourselves as imperfect. I believe that most healing starts with forgiving and accepting yourself as a perfectly imperfect human being. You are worthy of love, respect and care just as you are, right now. My clients have benefitted from my ability to help them make peace with their inner self. I create a calm, relaxed environment where they can be safe to express themselves honestly.
— Katie Robey, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Los Gatos, CAI help those who struggle to recognize and articulate their emotions, which can lead to difficulty making decisions, asserting needs, or setting healthy boundaries. Many people feel disconnected from themselves and others, as if they are not fully present, leading to problems in their relationships and even with themselves. They may feel like their issues are not significant enough to warrant attention, and may feel guilty asking for help. All of this contributes to low self-esteem.
— James Baker, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Santa Rosa, CAYou are Worth it! You are good enough! Did you need to hear that? Of course you did. We all need others to see our worth and value. Even more, we need to believe it ourselves. If you struggle with believing these truths, you are not alone. 85% of people are affected by low self esteem/self-worth/self-respect. Expectations, self criticizing, core beliefs, unnecessary guilt, feelings of helplessness all contribute to our self-esteem. Together we can work on self compassion, self-care, & more.
— Joel Nickel, Counselor in Pompano Beach, FLHaving adequate self-esteem, confidence, and self-worth are important aspects of being a human, creating healthy fulfilling relationships, and creating the life you want. I also help my clients heal from narcissistic abuse and relationships and how those have impacted their self-esteem.
— Kim Stevens, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Oakland, CASelf-esteem really stems in self trust. Together we can explore what your values and core beliefs are and how we can navigate accessing skills and tools to building you up. This is a space where I am always cheering you on!
— Anna Jin, Therapist in Smyrna, GAI wish I could change this to "self-compassion". Every challenge we experience, I would argue, can come right back to how we were taught to feel about ourselves in childhood. Attachment wounds, trauma, mental illness etc. all have deep seeded roots in our sense of self. True healing comes from learning to love the parts of yourself that you've been taught to exile. Phrases like "inner child", "reparenting", "shadow work", all fall under this category. This is the deepest work you will do!
— Jordan Wolfe, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Portland, ORSome of the most innovative and creative people suffer from low self-esteem, perfectionism and a harsh inner critic. I have personally and professionally found art making as a way to get close to and deepen our understanding of what is beneath the surface and into our internal world. This may mean discovering or uncovering our strengths we never knew we had.
— Stefanie Rodewald, Marriage & Family Therapist in , CAOffering therapy for self-esteem in Oregon, Colorado, and Florida, Jennifer Gray helps financial advisors and entrepreneurs overcome self-doubt, perfectionism, and negative thought patterns. Using EMDR, mindfulness, and personalized strategies, clients build confidence, embrace their strengths, and develop a positive self-image. Jennifer’s integrative approach empowers individuals to align their personal and professional lives with their values, fostering growth and lasting fulfillment.
— Jennifer Gray, Licensed Professional Counselor in Portland, ORI believe that a healthy sense of self-worth is central to all growth and healing. I have found that time and time again, my clients' challenges come down to what it is they believe they deserve and their relationship to their own self.
— Nathalie Kaoumi, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in Tustin, CAAs a narrative therapist, I am interested in how our stories get told and how they affect how we see ourselves. I am curious how society, family, and injustices rob people of their most powerful identities. I have many years of experience collaborating with clients to move toward their hopes for liveliness, happiness, and self-empowerment.
— Lucy Cotter, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Los Angeles, CAIt is important to have a strong sense of self-esteem and self-worth throughout our lives. I help support my clients in knowing, trusting, and believing in themselves, and in learning to have more self-compassion, prioritize self-care and increase their confidence.
— Jodie Solberg, Hypnotherapist in Lynnwood, WAAs a therapist specializing in self-esteem, I am dedicated to helping individuals recognize their inherent worth and build confidence. I utilize a blend of therapeutic techniques, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and self-compassion practices, to guide clients in challenging negative self-beliefs and fostering a more positive self-image. My approach is supportive and tailored to each person’s unique journey, empowering them to embrace their strengths and create a fulfilling life.
— Rebecca Heron, Psychologist in Katy, TXI want to help you find your path to self-acceptance and self-compassion.
— Michael Germany, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in Austin, TXNegative sense of self or self image bleeds into every aspect of our lives; relationships, career issues, and overall sense of wellbeing are affected by this unfortunate state. Often times low self esteem is connected to our earliest experiences, and it can be difficult to turn things around on your own once these though patterns are established. We work with clients every day to develop a rock solid sense of self that leads to greater happiness and overall success.
— Patricia Petrone, LMHC, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Rochester, NYIn my practice, I integrate self-compassion and mindfulness to support your personal growth. Through self-compassion, you’ll learn to replace self-criticism with kindness, recognizing your worth even in moments of struggle. Mindfulness helps you stay present, observing your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Together, these approaches create space for healing and growth, empowering you to navigate challenges with greater resilience, clarity, and self-acceptance.
— Eric Goodwin, Licensed Professional Counselor in Portland, ORIn my work with self-esteem, I focus on helping clients explore and embrace their unique strengths, identities, and values. Recognizing that issues like discrimination, neurodivergence, and trauma can impact self-worth, I create a safe, supportive environment where clients can rediscover their confidence and develop a healthy, affirming relationship with themselves. Together, we work on fostering self-compassion, resilience, and genuine self-acceptance.
— Nitasha Kang, Psychotherapist in Brooklyn,, NY