We all have a voice that says we’re not enough. Not good enough. Not smart enough. Not thin enough. Not successful enough. Not wealthy enough. For some people that critical voice takes up a lot of space and impacts their sense of self-esteem. You might find that your thoughts often lead to frequently questioning yourself, being hard on yourself, or difficulty speaking up for yourself.
What is Self-Esteem?
Self-esteem is understood as a global sense of self-worth and confidence in oneself across many situations and contexts. When it is low it can lead to other problems such as depression, anxiety and challenges in relationships with others. Self-worth is integral to who we are as people in the world. Raising it can help create a greater sense of overall well-being.
Therapy
Therapy focused on improving self-esteem provides the opportunity to understand where this critical voice comes from and how it is both helpful and unhelpful. We can work together to quiet that voice where needed while also building self-compassion and self-acceptance. People often find it helpful to develop assertiveness skills and interpersonal boundaries in the context of the safe relationship that therapy provides.