Therapy for Improving Self Esteem: What to Expect

How can someone improve their self-esteem, and how can counselling help with self esteem issues?

Self-esteem is the way in which we view ourselves – it refers to our sense of our own worth, abilities and value. Having low self-esteem can affect us in a myriad of ways – whether it be the way we see ourselves physically or mentally, how we deal with adversity, or how we interact with those around us.

In 2018, the Butterfly Foundation conducted a national survey which found that more than 40% of Australians are dissatisfied with their appearance. However, self-esteem goes way beyond what we look like and how we see ourselves physically. Another Australian study found that one in five students reported negative self-esteem as they entered high school. Self-esteem issues affect people of all ages and demographics.

Self-esteem may seem like a minor issue, but it can have significant ripple effects on our lives. When our self-esteem is affected, even simple daily tasks can become difficult to perform, as it can take a serious toll on our mental and emotional well-being.

One of the most effective, long-term ways of improving and building self-esteem is through counselling. Talking to a mental health professional with expertise in self-esteem, self-worth, confidence and interpersonal issues can help individuals better understand where their issues stem from, how to combat self-esteem issues, and ways to improve and build self-esteem for long-term growth. Ultimately, self-esteem is something that can be built up; improving your self-esteem can help you regain your sense of self and worth, leading to a more fulfilling life.

At New Vision Psychology, we have a team of psychologists who offer extensive expertise in the area of self-esteem. As it’s one of the more common interpersonal issues, most of our psychologists have real-world experience in helping their clients overcome poor self-esteem and self confidence. If you’re based in Sydney and you’re dealing with poor self-esteem, we encourage you to book an appointment with one of our counsellors – it may just be the first step to leading a more confident and meaningful life.

This article will delve into the profound impact of low self-esteem, as well as how professional counselling and therapy can help improve self-esteem and pave the way to becoming the most self-confident and assured version of yourself.

What is low self-esteem?
What causes low self-esteem?
What does therapy for self-esteem involve?
How does counselling therapy help improve self-esteem?
What to expect in self-esteem counselling sessions

What is Low Self-Esteem?

Low self-esteem is a mental affliction marked by constant unhappiness or dissatisfaction with oneself. When someone has low or poor self esteem, they tend to see themselves, their worth or their actions in a negative light.

Chronic low self esteem can look like:

Excessive self-criticism
Disregarding positive qualities
Feeling inferior to others
Negative self-talk and self-blame
Attributing personal success to luck, not effort
Blaming themselves for everything
Being distrustful of compliments

What Causes Low Self Esteem?

There are many potential causes for low self esteem, and it is most often the case that there are multiple factors that contribute to a lack of confidence in oneyourself.

Poor self-esteem can stem from things like trauma from past experiences, to excessively critical social relationships, and negative self-narratives. Often, these factors contribute to a distortion of a person’s self-image and create feelings of inadequacy or unworthiness that eventually lead to low self-esteem.

Seeing a psychologist for self-esteem can help to uncover the root causes of low self-esteem through thoughtful and sensitive conversations with a professional. Like many other mental health issues, understanding what can contribute to or trigger feelings of inadequacies can help you and your psychologist to come up with coping strategies, as well as a roadmap for long-term growth.

What Does Therapy for Self-Esteem Involve?

Therapy for self-esteem improvement involves attending counselling sessions with a qualified psychologist or counsellor. During these sessions, your therapist will lead conversations surrounding your personal life and feelings to try and work through your feelings, emotions, and behaviours together.

When you’re working through interpersonal issues with a psychologist, it’s important to be as transparent and frank as possible – this will allow your therapist to get to the bottom of your thought patterns and work with you to adjust them. It doesn’t matter how silly or embarrassing it may seem at first – a counselling session is designed to provide a safe, judgement-free and supportive zone for you to talk openly with your psychologist or therapist.

Counselling sessions for self-esteem will primarily involve discussing your concerns, thoughts, and potential coping strategies. The most common form of therapy for things like self esteem is CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy), but some counsellors may use other types of talking therapy.

How Does Counselling Therapy Help Improve Self-Esteem?

Counselling for self-esteem aims to break down the patterns and behaviours that contribute to your low self-esteem. Your psychologist can teach you how to spot them yourself and put a stop to these patterns.

Through this process of understanding, you’ll learn how these patterns influence your interactions with yourself and others around you. Additionally, your therapist may also challenge your negative thoughts, and guide you to question and reframe these harmful patterns. You may be taught techniques to swap self-critical thoughts with positive, compassionate statements that focus on identifying your personal strengths and celebrating achievements to boost your self-worth.

Counselling sessions may also include exercises in self-compassion and fostering kindness towards yourself.

Simple practices, like recognising and altering negative self-talk, can go a long way in undoing damage. These techniques can help you avoid harmful thought patterns and gradually cultivate a more positive, nurturing relationship with yourself.

With the help of counselling, you’ll be able to develop a healthier sense of self-esteem, leading to improved confidence, and more fulfilling relationships with yourself and others.

Book Your Appointment Today With New Vision Psychology

Self-esteem issues affect more people than you’d think. Many undermine the harms of poor self-esteem, but it can greatly impact different areas of our lives. With the right help, improving your self-esteem can change the way you view yourself, your relationships, and the world.

New Vision Psychology offers compassionate, judgement-free counselling therapy for individuals of all ages and backgrounds who are dealing with self-esteem, self-confidence, body image issues, and similar mental health concerns.

It’s never too late to unlearn negative thought patterns and relearn new, positive ones. To get started on working through your self esteem issues, get in touch with our friendly team today to book an appointment. We have clinics in Burwood, Chatswood, Castle Hill, Hurstville, and Sydney’s CBD.