Self-Esteem
Self-esteem isn’t about confidence hacks or learning to “think positively.”
It’s about the relationship you have with yourself and the voice you hear inside, the way you interpret your worth, and the beliefs you carry from past experiences.
Low self-esteem often doesn’t look like insecurity on the surface.
It can show up as perfectionism, overworking, people-pleasing, staying quiet, or constantly doubting if you’re “enough.”
You may function well in most areas of life, yet still feel small, apologetic, or uncertain inside.
These patterns are shaped by earlier environments where being good, invisible, compliant, or self-sufficient felt safer than taking up space.
Therapy helps you see yourself more clearly, soften the inner critic, and build a steadier sense of worth that doesn’t depend on other people’s approval.
How low self-esteem develops
Self-esteem develops in relationship. When you grow up in environments where your feelings were dismissed, your needs were minimised, or love felt conditional, you learn to minimise yourself too.
Low self-esteem can also be shaped by:
-
attachment wounds or inconsistent caregiving
-
emotionally immature parents
-
being praised only for achievements, not for who you are
-
chronic stress, trauma, or nervous-system hypervigilance
-
bullying, comparison, or experiences of not fitting in
-
repeatedly being the “strong one,” the helper, or the peacemaker
-
internalised messages about worth, identity, or perfection
Over time, these experiences create an internal narrative:
“I must not mess up… I must be easy… I must not disappoint anyone… I’m not good enough.”
These narratives become automatic because your nervous system learned that staying small felt safer.
What We Work on Together
Together, we focus on rebuilding your sense of self from the inside out. Gently, without forcing confidence or pretending to feel something you don’t.
In our work, you will:
-
understand where your self-beliefs came from and why they feel so powerful
-
learn to recognise the inner critic and gradually replace it with a more grounded, compassionate voice
-
reconnect with parts of yourself you’ve minimised or silenced
-
strengthen boundaries so your worth isn’t dependent on pleasing others
-
build emotional regulation so moments of doubt don’t spiral into shame
-
learn to inhabit your life, your choices, your needs, your identity with more steadiness and self-respect
Over time, self-esteem becomes less about trying to convince yourself you’re worthy…
and more about finally feeling it.
In our work together, we focus on rebuilding your relationship with yourself from the inside out. Instead of trying to “fix” the parts of you that feel small, unsure, or disconnected, we gently uncover where these beliefs began, and help your nervous system feel safe enough to release them.
You’ll learn how to set boundaries without guilt, recognise your needs without shrinking, and reconnect to a sense of identity that feels true, not performed. Over time, confidence becomes something that’s lived in your body, not something you have to force or constantly chase.