Low Self-Esteem
When You Don’t Feel Good Enough
Self-esteem is the lens through which we view ourselves - our sense of worth, capability, and value as a person. When this lens is clouded by negative beliefs, it can colour every aspect of life, from relationships to career aspirations to simple daily decisions.
Low self-esteem isn’t about occasional moments of self-doubt, which everyone experiences. It’s a persistent pattern of feeling fundamentally “not good enough,” often accompanied by harsh self-criticism that you would never direct at anyone else.
How Low Self-Esteem Shows Up
The experience of low self-esteem varies, but common patterns include:
A harsh inner critic - A constant internal voice pointing out flaws, predicting failure, and comparing you unfavourably to others
Difficulty accepting compliments - Dismissing positive feedback or assuming others are just being polite
Fear of judgement - Holding back in social situations, avoiding speaking up, or not pursuing opportunities due to anticipated criticism
People-pleasing - Prioritising others’ needs at the expense of your own, difficulty saying no, or relying heavily on external approval
Perfectionism - Setting impossibly high standards, then berating yourself for falling short
Avoidance - Steering clear of challenges, relationships, or situations where you might “fail” or be exposed
Where These Beliefs Come From
The beliefs underlying low self-esteem typically develop early in life. Critical or dismissive caregivers, bullying, difficult school experiences, family comparisons, or early messages about what makes someone “worthy” can all contribute. These experiences create templates for how we see ourselves - templates that can persist long after circumstances change.
Therapeutic Approaches
Our Clinical Psychologists work with low self-esteem using approaches tailored to your particular experience:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - Examining and challenging the thinking patterns that maintain negative self-beliefs, developing more balanced perspectives
Compassion-Focused Therapy - Specifically designed for people who struggle with self-criticism and shame, helping you develop genuine self-compassion
Schema Therapy - Exploring the deeper patterns and early experiences that shaped your self-image, creating space for new ways of seeing yourself
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - Moving beyond the struggle with difficult thoughts and feelings to build a life aligned with what genuinely matters to you
A Different Relationship with Yourself
Changing deeply held beliefs about yourself takes time, but it is possible. Therapy offers a space to understand where these patterns came from, to question their accuracy, and gradually to develop a more compassionate and realistic view of who you are.
Get in touch to arrange an initial consultation.
Related Reading
- Self-Compassion and Self-Love: Why They Matter - Learning to treat yourself with kindness
- An Introduction to Compassion Focused Therapy - A therapy designed to help with self-criticism
- Taming the Inner Critic: Helping Your Child Develop Self-Kindness - Supporting children with self-esteem
