Self-Esteem Therapy in California
I offer self-esteem therapy in California for adults struggling with low confidence, self-doubt, and negative self-talk. If you find yourself second-guessing your decisions, feeling not good enough, or stuck in patterns that hold you back, therapy can help you build a healthier, more confident sense of self.
It’s time to quiet that inner critic.
You’re tired of getting in your own way—letting confidence or self-esteem hold you back in your relationships, your work, and your life.
You might find yourself constantly second-guessing your words or actions, hoping that they aren’t perceived the “wrong” way. Maybe you’re noticing the ways you feel taken advantage of or resentful in relationships because you struggle to speak up for what you truly want or need. You may be holding back from going after the raise or promotion you deserve due to self-doubt or uncertainty.
What are the signs of low self-esteem?
Low or impaired self-esteem can also look like:
Feelings of shame or guilt
Negative self-talk
Poor body image or self-worth
Difficulty setting boundaries
Struggling with self-trust
Feeling like an imposter or not “good enough”
Comparing yourself to friends or social media
You’re here because you know you’re hard on yourself. The grace and understanding you extend to others doesn’t translate to the way you view and care for yourself, and you’re ready for that to change.
What causes low self-esteem?
Many factors play into our self-esteem: our upbringing, the pressures from society, trauma or painful experiences, and more. You might be noticing the way that negative or toxic relationships, family difficulties, or a stressful work environment are affecting your confidence. As we internalize the messages all of these things impart to us, it can warp the way we see ourselves—and, in turn, the way we show up in life.
How can therapy help?
In self-esteem therapy, we’ll get to the deeper root of the negative thoughts & beliefs that are holding you back.
Rather than just learning to cope with low self-esteem or confidence, counseling with me will help you explore and address those root causes. Together, we’ll challenge the false or inaccurate narratives to start rewriting the script in your life. We’ll look at things like:
Childhood experiences or upbringing
Trauma or difficult relationships (romantic, friendships, work, and more)
Social comparison and societal pressure
Work stress or performance anxiety
What should I expect in self-esteem therapy?
Self-esteem therapy helps you understand where your self-doubt comes from, challenge negative beliefs, and build a more confident sense of self. I’ll take the time to listen to your story, exploring your childhood, current relationships, and key life experiences.
We’ll examine the automatic negative thoughts that hold you back and work on replacing them with ones that reflect a more accurate and supportive view of yourself. If low self-worth is tied to past trauma or painful experiences, I can guide you through processing those as well.
You’ll learn to identify unhelpful or negative thoughts and replace them with ones that cultivate a healthy, more accurate sense of self—one that embraces your innate strengths, and accepts your flaws, so you can confidently go after what’s important to you.
Things we can work on in therapy:
Challenging automatic negative thoughts (ANTs)
Cultivating healthier self-task
Improving assertiveness and boundary setting
Processing past trauma or painful experiences
Celebrating your strengths and value
Managing stress and improving self-care
Frequently Asked Questions about Self-Esteem Therapy
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Self-esteem is the way we view ourselves. It has a powerful impact on every facet of our lives because the way we think, act, and respond to others is most often a reflection of our own feelings and beliefs about ourselves. If you don’t feel secure in who you are, it can impact not only the way you feel about yourself, but your relationships and the way you show up in life.
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You may be someone who works hard and maintains high standards for yourself. There’s nothing wrong with that! However, when those high standards or internal pressure translate into a persistent self-criticism, that drive toward perfection can start to wear you down. You might find yourself hyperfocused on your shortcomings and feel unable to celebrate your strengths, blaming yourself when things go wrong, or avoiding new challenges for fear of failing.
These kinds of things point to decreased self-esteem and are an indication that you could use some support in cultivating a healthier sense of self.
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It often is. Low self-esteem can contribute to both anxiety and depression, and improving it can have a positive impact on your overall mental health.
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You are the only one that can ultimately change or improve your self-esteem, but therapy can absolutely equip you with the insight and skills to do that. You’ll learn to do things like:
Challenge negative thoughts about yourself
Improve communication and set healthy boundaries with the people in your life
Navigate stress and anxiety more easily
Feel more confident in your decisions and actions
Accept yourself the way you are (flaws and all)
Improve your relationship with your body
Become more receptive to kindness
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This varies for each person. Some people notice changes quickly, while others benefit from longer-term work depending on their history and goals.
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One of the foundational parts of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is addressing the underlying core beliefs that we hold about ourselves. By processing the past events that have laid the groundwork for the challenges you’re experiencing and addressing the current circumstances and triggers that hold you back, you can begin to fundamentally change your sense of self.
Whether the root of your self-esteem is from early in life or due to recent experiences, EMDR can help you:
Heal injuries to your self-worth
Build a healthier sense of self
Cultivate more positive self-talk
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I offer a free 15-minute consultation to help you decide if I’m the right therapist to support you. Request your appointment. We’ll use this time to answer any questions you have about counseling, share a little bit about what you’re hoping to achieve, and determine if we’re a good fit to help you get there.
You are good enough.
I help adults in California build confidence, overcome self-doubt, and develop a healthier relationship with themselves through self-esteem therapy.