If you often feel like you’re not good enough, second-guess your choices, or struggle to speak kindly to yourself, you’re not alone. Many people experience low self-esteem, and it can quietly impact how you show up in relationships, at work, and in your everyday life. Therapy for low self-esteem offers a space where you can begin to understand where these beliefs come from—and how to shift them.
What Is Low Self-Esteem?
Low self-esteem refers to a negative or inaccurate view of oneself. It may show up as persistent self-doubt, shame, fear of judgment, difficulty accepting compliments, or a sense that you’re somehow “less than” others. These feelings aren’t always obvious—they can be masked by people-pleasing, perfectionism, or constantly striving to prove your worth.
Why Do We Develop Low Self-Esteem?
Low self-esteem often begins early in life. Critical or emotionally unavailable caregivers, bullying, unmet emotional needs, or growing up in a high-pressure environment can plant the seeds. Over time, repeated messages—whether spoken or implied—can shape how you see yourself and the world.
How Trauma Can Contribute to Low Self-Worth
Many people with low self-esteem have a history of trauma. Trauma doesn’t have to mean war or disaster—it might include emotional neglect, abandonment, abuse, or other painful experiences that made you feel unsafe, unseen, or unworthy. When trauma is unresolved, it can lead to internalized beliefs like “I’m not good enough” or “I can’t trust myself.”
These beliefs can follow you into adulthood, quietly influencing your confidence, boundaries, relationships, and even career choices. Understanding this connection is an important part of the healing process.
👉 Learn more about how trauma can impact self-esteem
Signs and Effects of Low Self-Esteem
Low self-esteem doesn’t always look the same in everyone. Some common signs include:
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Harsh inner criticism
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Avoiding challenges for fear of failure
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Difficulty accepting love or praise
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People-pleasing at the expense of your own needs
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Constant comparison to others
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Anxiety, depression, or feeling “not enough”
It can also impact how you respond to stress, make decisions, and trust others—or yourself.
How Therapy for Low Self-Esteem Helps
Therapy for low self-esteem offers a supportive, nonjudgmental space to explore the roots of your self-worth. You’ll begin to:
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Identify and challenge negative self-beliefs
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Build self-compassion and emotional resilience
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Develop healthier boundaries and self-expression
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Reconnect with your strengths and values
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Feel more grounded and capable in daily life
Together, we’ll work gently and at your pace. I use an integrative approach tailored to your needs, including tools from CBT, self-compassion therapy, and if needed, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for trauma-related wounds to self-worth.
EMDR and Self-Esteem
If past trauma is contributing to your low self-esteem, EMDR therapy can be a powerful way to heal. EMDR works by helping your brain reprocess painful memories and the beliefs attached to them. For example, if a childhood experience left you feeling “I’m unlovable,” EMDR can help reduce the emotional charge of that belief—making room for new, healthier perspectives.
👉 Learn more about how EMDR works for trauma
What to Expect from Therapy
Whether you’re dealing with a lifelong pattern or a recent dip in confidence, therapy can support you in building a more secure, compassionate relationship with yourself. Over time, clients often notice:
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Greater self-confidence and emotional balance
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A quieter inner critic
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More clarity in decisions and relationships
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Increased self-trust and inner peace
You Deserve to Feel Worthy
You’re not broken—and you don’t have to keep living under the weight of self-doubt.
Therapy for low self-esteem is about discovering that your worth isn’t something you have to earn—it’s already yours.
If you’re ready to begin, I invite you to learn more about my therapy approach or get in touch for a free consultation.
You’re not alone, and support is here.
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