Best Therapy For Low Self Esteem & Depression

What is low self-esteem and low self-confidence?

Self-esteem refers to how an individual views and thinks about themselves, and the value that they place on themselves as a person.

Low self-esteem is having a negative overall opinion of oneself, judging, or evaluating oneself negatively, and placing a general negative value on oneself as a person. These views are extremely deep-seated, rigid, and often taken as facts or truths about who they are as a person.

Low self-esteem can understandably have a negative impact on a person (e.g., self-criticism and high distress) and a negative impact on their life (e.g., work, relationships, recreation time, self-care).

Low self-esteem can be part of a current problem (e.g., depression), a result of other problems (trauma), or a problem in itself and a risk factor for other problems.

Online therapy for low self-esteem can be scheduled by making contact.

What are the causes for low self-esteem and low self-confidence?

All individuals have a negativity bias, which means negative information, experiences, memories, and thoughts are held onto far more than positive ones. Negative messages affect the lens in which individuals see the world and create a filter on how they view themselves and others. Perception creates a person’s reality, this means that if an individual has negative thought processes, they will also see things, including themselves, negatively. Therefore, poor self-confidence and esteem is the outcome of a person’s poor view of oneself and capabilities.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for low self-esteem involves working through an individual’s history to gain an understanding of why this condition has developed.

There can be many different reasons for low self-esteem and low self-confidence, typical causes include:

Negative early experiences in childhood
Punishment, neglect, abuse
Difficulty in meeting parent’s standards or peers
Role given to individual from caregivers/parents
Unhealthy relationships
Relationship breakdowns
Unresolved trauma
loneliness/sense not of not belonging
Internalised shame
Societal and cultural messages

Low self-esteem and low self-confidence often develop in childhood or adolescence but can also develop later in life. Negative core beliefs are the conclusions we arrive at about ourselves, given the negative experiences we have had. Individuals develop rules and assumptions, to protect themselves from the truth of a person’s negative core beliefs, so one can function in everyday life.

The behaviour our rules and assumptions generate is unhelpful because they keep our negative core beliefs intact. As long as we stick to our rules and assumptions, our negative core beliefs remain, and hence our low self-esteem stays.

Therapy can help enhance self-esteem. CBT therapy for low self-esteem focuses on breaking negative thought and behavioural cycles that the individuals have become stuck in.

What are the symptoms?

Different symptoms and behaviours associated with low self-esteem include,

People pleasing
Experience negative self talk
Struggle to build healthy relationships
Negative comparison of self to others
Experience self doubt
Inability to make
Poor self image
Poor self care

If you feel you may be struggling with these symptoms, you can schedule a cognitive behavioural therapy assessment for low self-esteem, online or in-person at home, by making contact here.

CBT Therapy For Low Self-Esteem and low self-confidence

Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is a highly effective approach for tackling low self-esteem, and our skilled CBT therapist for low self-esteem can make a significant difference. In CBT, individuals work with therapists to identify and challenge negative thought patterns that contribute to low self-esteem. Through structured sessions, clients learn to replace self-critical thoughts with more constructive ones, fostering self-compassion and a healthier self-image.

CBT also equips individuals with practical skills to improve self-esteem, such as assertiveness training and setting achievable goals. Over time, clients develop resilience and a more positive self-perception. With the guidance of our CBT therapist specialising in low self-esteem, individuals can regain confidence and lead more fulfilling lives.