Self-Esteem

My counseling style integrates various therapeutic strategies that adapt to my client's individual and unique needs

Self-improvement is an essential part of personal growth and development. It can help you enhance your self-esteem, confidence, and overall well-being. However, it can be challenging to prioritize self-improvement in our busy lives.

The way that we talk to ourselves is directly linked to our mood and behavior. If you find being kind to yourself is difficult, it is possible you have internalized negative voices from your past. Regardless of the source I use self-compassion strategies to help you grow in loving and understanding yourself better. We will talk about how it doesn't mean being "too easy on yourself" and that you can see yourself realistically and still be kind.

We will explore and understand your current narrative so that we can focus on providing kindness and compassion towards your inner critic. You will learn to create a practice that is rooted in curiosity and openness so that you can generate acceptance in yourself; just as you are.

Self-esteem is the belief in one’s ability to handle life productively. Life experiences and successful interactions help to build healthy self-esteem. A difficult childhood, critical caregivers or peers, or other stressful life events can damage self-esteem and lead to negative beliefs about oneself. Low self-esteem can impact a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns.

When we experience low self-esteem, our perceptual field may feel so narrow that positive thoughts about ourselves seem out of reach. I specialize in the utilization of compassionate practices that help re-mold this narrative and support you in building a more loving, kind, and gentle approach to to yourself.

Having good self-esteem is about liking who you are and feeling comfortable in your own skin. You are daily bombarded with messages about who you should be and it's easy to be left with a feeling of falling short. This can contribute to many of the symptoms that cause you to seek therapy. The path of self-discovery and self-acceptance can be confusing and disorienting. I enjoy helping people find an identity and direction that feels true and fulfilling.

Survivors of childhood and complex trauma struggle with self-esteem, self-trust, and chronic self-doubt. Through exploring painful past experiences and getting to know wounded parts of ourself, we're able to cultivate self-compassion, care, and trust with our younger parts.

Self-esteem is more than just "liking yourself" or "practicing self-love". Having a healthy self-esteem means not only believing in your abilities but trusting yourself even when you are not 100% certain of the end result. I have helped many people learn to develop that sense of inner knowing and be able to identify the things, people, and ideas that align with them rather than choosing "what they are supposed to do". There is more to building self-esteem than positive affirmations.

Self Esteem encompasses so many areas of our lives...communication, relating, making plans/goals in our close relationships and in our communities of work, family and play. I am certified in Brene\' Brown\'s curriculum of Shame Resilience to help us sort out the details and live our fuller and happier life. Our self esteem drives the directions we go and finding ways to increase it's health can only help us. I am empathetic and supportive as we identify challenges and find solutions.

So many of us live in a constant state of disconnection. Disconnection from ourselves, from those around us, disconnection from our joy. So many of us are carrying around stories that were passed down to us from our families of origin, society, friends, and social media, all of which can overshadow how we feel about ourselves and the value we believe we hold. These old beliefs limit our ability to recognize our worthiness.

Research studies have shown that Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective treatments for low self-esteem. I believe that tools like CBT are beneficial but not before exploring where the root of self-esteem issues come from; whether that be early family life experience, societal bias, or unrealistic expectations placed on oneself.

I wish I could change this to "self-compassion". Every challenge we experience, I would argue, can come right back to how we were taught to feel about ourselves in childhood. Attachment wounds, trauma, mental illness etc. all have deep seeded roots in our sense of self. True healing comes from learning to love the parts of yourself that you've been taught to exile. Phrases like "inner child", "reparenting", "shadow work", all fall under this category. This is the deepest work you will do!

How do we feel like we are enough? It’s a simple idea that’s complex in the real world. I have experience helping clients navigate these murky waters to the source of low self-esteem and begin the healing process. Together we can discover, accept, and celebrate your authentic self while learning how to work with shame, self-criticism, and low confidence.

Do you tend to devalue yourself? Do you judge yourself when you cannot meet up your expectations? Do you have self-doubt when you make a decision? If you can relate to one of above statements, you may experience low self-esteem. However, it can change as I am specialized in supporting clients with low self-esteem. I provide a safe space to help clients let go of the critical voice and cultivate self-compassion to themselves.

You feel like a mess, full of insecurities and indecision.  It’s even hard for you to take a compliment.  The voice in your head is your worst critic.  You know it’s time to do something about your low self esteem. I use a combination of exploring the root causes of your low self esteem and practical strategies to employ immediately so you can strengthen your self-confidence/  self-esteem, and begin developing the life you are capable of having and deserve.