Do You Struggle With A Lack Of Confidence?
- Do you feel self-conscious in social situations?
- Are you constantly plagued by negative thoughts about yourself?
- Have you stopped yourself from going after what you want because you don’t think that you’ll succeed?
Maybe other people have tried to point out your strengths and accomplishments to you, but you don’t feel like you’ve achieved anything meaningful. Perhaps your friends have tried to lift you up, but you still don’t feel good enough for your own standards.
Low Self-Esteem Can Affect Every Area Of Your Life
Perhaps you’ve hesitated to apply for certain jobs, take challenging classes, reach out to potential new friends, or take up a new hobby because of your low self-esteem. You may feel like you’re trapped in your comfort zone.
Low self-esteem can also influence your feelings about your body. You might scrutinize yourself in the mirror several times a day and try to avoid being in photos. You may catch yourself frequently comparing your appearance to others and worrying that you don’t measure up.
At times, you may feel desperately lonely and wish you could open up to someone who understands you. But you’re nervous to try making friends and you assume that you would have little to offer other people. If you’re in a romantic relationship, you might fixate on your flaws rather than what you bring to the table. Maybe you may fear that your partner will leave you.
Deep down, you just want to feel comfortable with yourself. By pursuing therapy for low self-esteem, you can focus on your strengths, cultivate a sense of self-assurance, and gain the courage you need to build the life of your dreams.
Everyone Suffers From Low Self-Esteem Sometimes
Even people who come across as confident and self-assured deal with low self-esteem from time to time. No one is immune to it. But people are often hesitant to talk about their low points, which gives others the impression that they are alone in their suffering.
When you’re dealing with low self-esteem, it often feels impossible to just “talk” yourself into positivity. Furthermore, you may worry that you’re a burden to your loved ones and resist reaching out for help when you need it.
Our Culture Can Undermine Self-Confidence
Why do so many people feel insecure about themselves? Even people with strong support networks, impressive careers, and fulfilling hobbies often deal with low self-esteem. Today, the constant exposure to the highlights of other peoples’ lives on social media can cause individuals to feel like they’re not “enough.”
Furthermore, advertising causes people to fixate on what they lack rather than cultivate gratitude for what they have. When ads are always telling you to change something about yourself, it’s hard to be happy with who you are.
In addition to our media environment, we are subjected to a very competitive workplace culture. There is always pressure to be more ambitious, make more money, and earn more accolades. It’s hard to feel satisfied with your career when you’re always wondering if you should be working harder.
Our culture makes it difficult not to compare yourself to others, which causes many people to suffer from low self-esteem. Thankfully, there are avenues for healing. Therapy for low self-esteem can help you build authentic self-confidence, tune out societal pressures, and gain the courage you need to work towards your personal goals.
Counseling Can Help You Improve Your Self-Esteem
If you’ve been dealing with low self-esteem, you might be nervous about seeing a therapist. Low self-esteem can make you question whether you really “deserve” help, which can hold you back from reaching for support when you need it. But no matter what you’re going through, our team at Affinity Psychological Services is here to support you in rebuilding your confidence and raising your self-esteem.
What To Expect In Sessions
Before your first session, our administrative staff will match you up with a therapist at your nearest location who specializes in the treatment you need. When you meet with your therapist for the first time, you’ll be able to share what you’ve been going through, how your low self-esteem has affected your life, and what your personal goals for counseling are.
In subsequent sessions, you’ll spend some time exploring the roots of your low self-esteem. You’ll have the opportunity to examine when these feelings started and why. We’ll also focus on developing solutions that draw on your personal strengths and talents. Your therapist will help you hone in on areas of your life where you have the power to make positive changes and collaborate with you to come up with realistic solutions.
Treatment Approaches For Low Self-Esteem
At our practice, your treatment plan will be personalized for you. We’ll recommend different techniques, strategies, and skills based on your unique needs and goals.
Many people with low self-esteem struggle with rumination. Low self-esteem can leave you trapped in negative thought patterns, and no matter how hard you try, you might have trouble shifting your focus away from these patterns. In therapy for low self-esteem, we will use multiple strategies to address this issue.
We will help you understand how self-esteem develops and is sustained. We’ll work on creating a new story about who you are and how you show up in the world. You’ll learn how to analyze your beliefs about yourself and identify false thinking. Your therapist will help you identify false beliefs that you might hold about yourself and your capabilities. Furthermore, you’ll start to develop new thought patterns, beliefs, and narratives that serve you well in your daily life.
Additionally, your therapist can help you work on skills to enhance your confidence. For example, your therapist might help you set goals, teach you mindfulness and meditation techniques, and support you in building relationships with people who lift you up.
At Affinity Psychological Services, we are here to help you discover your unique strengths and improve your self-worth. Therapy can help you identify the root causes of your low self-esteem and stay focused on your personal vision for your life rather than being bogged down by societal expectations.
But You May Still Have Questions About Therapy For Low Self-Esteem…
I’m worried that I can’t afford therapy.
At Affinity Psychological Services, we accept insurance from most major providers. We are a pro-insurance practice and we aim to make therapy as affordable as possible for our clients. We are happy to answer any of your questions about fees, billing, and using your insurance benefits to cover therapy.
I’m embarrassed to open up to a therapist.
It’s normal to feel hesitant to go to counseling when you have low self-esteem – after all, opening up a stranger can be nerve-wracking when you’re struggling with deep-seated insecurity. But your therapist will never judge or shame you for anything that you bring up during sessions. Once you get to know your therapist, you’ll probably feel more comfortable about sharing with them.
What if therapy can’t help me?
When you’re dealing with low self-esteem, you might start believing that you’re too broken to heal. Anxiety and depression often go hand-in-hand with low self-esteem and can trick you into thinking that your problems are unfixable. But by working with a therapist you trust, you can make lifestyle changes that naturally boost your self-esteem. What’s more, your therapist can help you recognize your true potential and all of the positive qualities that you already embody.
You Can Build Lasting Confidence Through Counseling
If you want to address your low self-esteem and start striving for your goals, you can learn more about our therapy practice by reaching out through our contact page. When you’re ready to schedule your first session, you can book an appointment on our scheduling page at one of our offices in Edina, Plymouth, St. Cloud, or Bloomington.