Low Self-Esteem

Over time, these beliefs can limit opportunities, damage relationships, and contribute to anxiety or depression.

If you feel held back by harsh self-judgement, therapy can help you build a more compassionate, balanced view of yourself.

What is Low Self-Esteem?

Self-esteem is the way we evaluate ourselves - our sense of worth and capability.

While everyone experiences self-doubt at times, low self-esteem is a persistent pattern of negative self-beliefs that can affect decisions, confidence, and wellbeing.

These patterns often begin in childhood or adolescence, shaped by early relationships, experiences, or cultural messages.

Symptoms of Low Self-Esteem

• Persistent self-criticism or negative self-talk

• Feeling inadequate, unworthy, or undeserving of good things

• Difficulty asserting needs or saying no

• Fear of failure or rejection

• Perfectionism or overachievement to gain approval

• Avoidance of new opportunities due to fear of not being “good enough”

Causes and Risk Factors

Low self-esteem can develop from critical or inconsistent early attachments, bullying, trauma, or repeated experiences of failure.

Cultural pressures, discrimination, or difficult relationships can reinforce negative self-beliefs.

How Therapy Can Help with Low Self-Esteem

Therapy provides a space to examine the roots of self-critical beliefs and begin to challenge them.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can help identify unhelpful thought patterns, while Compassion-Focused Therapy actively cultivates a kinder, more accepting relationship with yourself.

Schema Therapy can uncover long-standing themes shaped by early experiences, while Acceptance and Commitment Therapy supports you to live according to your values rather than self-doubt.

Over time, therapy helps you recognise your strengths, build confidence, and develop a more balanced sense of who you are.