Self-Esteem Therapy

What is Self-Esteem?

Self-esteem when used in a psychological context refers to an individual’s overarching sense of self-worth, confidence, or simply how they value themselves.

Self esteem involves a combination of beliefs about oneself, including emotions, behavior, and appearance. Self-esteem and confidence can be raised through therapy.

Many people are often described as having self-esteem that is either ‘high’ or ‘low’. Sometimes, people find that their self-esteem varies depending on the situation. If you are experiencing low self-esteem and/or self-esteem of ‘ups and downs’, then therapy is an excellent way to gain understanding about what causes you to have low-self-esteem and the “highs and lows”. Therapy helps you learn positive realistic authentic self-esteem and feel confident to cope with challenges and disappointments.

Healthy self esteem is about feeling secure that you can handle situations, and life’s challenges, and that you deserve to experience love and acceptance from others as well as from yourself.

Self-esteem and confidence = authentic self-love and compassion

The most important relationship you will ever have is the relationship with yourself. When your relationship with yourself is out of whack, all other aspects of your life will be out of whack too. Such as, your self-esteem, confidence, motivation, relationships with others, ability to make decisions, your performance, creativity, success, and your emotional and physical health. When your relationship with yourself is out of whack, you may find yourself constantly seeking validation outside yourself.

Symptoms of Low Self-Esteem: thoughts, emotions, behaviors

People with low-self esteem have a negative, disapproving view of themselves and an inability to look beyond their limitations and problems. Furthermore, those with low self-esteem frequently engage in criticism of themselves and others. People with low self-esteem can sometimes overreact when they are criticized, engage in self-sabotage and self-destructive behavior, and sacrifice their identity to fit in. Additionally, individuals with low self-worth may avoid reality and situations. It is common for someone who has low-self esteem to also have episodes of depression,  social anxiety , panic attacks  and may also have a personality disorder .

The effect of low self-esteem on the individual varies from person to person. However,  the affects of low self-esteem often includes a pessimistic outlook, a tendency to engage in obsessive activities, indecisiveness, and a focus on failures, shame, weaknesses, and setbacks. Additionally, a person who lacks confidence may put himself or herself down in a joking or serious manner.

Have you ever had thoughts, such as, “I am not good enough”… “Why try, I wont succeed”…”I wont be liked or accepted”. Have you ever worried that others will pull away if they see you the way you perceive yourself? Have you ever had such negative thoughts about yourself that you ultimately end up hurting your own feelings? If self-negating thoughts sound like you. You are your harshest critic, and nobody deserves to be their own bully!

When your self-talk is a bully, then low self esteem hits very hard and rolls over into “self imposed” resistance. “Self-imposed” resistance is your greatest enemy masquerading as fears, anxiety, depression, unmotivated, lost or directionless, negative binge thinking, limiting beliefs, and limiting your success in life. It can affect every aspect of your life, for example, relationships, school, work, physical and emotional health.  Quit beating yourself up because you are not where you thought you would be. You are not done.