Low Self-Esteem Treatment

Self-esteem refers to the degree to which we value ourselves. Your self-esteem represents your own thoughts and feelings of self-worth, and the value that you may be placing on your personal characteristics, personality, history, and potential. Clinical research has long seen a correlation between healthy self-esteem and successful relationships, success in academic or career settings, and greater overall happiness. Whereas, low self-esteem may contribute to depression, anxiety, negative self-talk, approval seeking behaviours, and difficulty connecting with others socially.

Low self-esteem may be situational such as you may be experiencing low self-esteem in only specific areas of your life. Yet, for others self-esteem issues can be more long-standing, may have developed over time and prevalent across a variety of areas of your life, impacting their sense of confidence and self-worth. It is not uncommon for individuals struggling with self-esteem concerns to find themselves making comparisons with others in terms of their achievements, intelligence, work, earning potential, social relationships, or attractiveness and feel that they are lacking in some way.

People struggling with self-esteem either critically evaluate themselves negatively or will often set unrealistic expectations for themselves which might be difficult to achieve. Others find that they have difficulty being assertive in situations such as, either they cannot refuse unreasonable requests from others or struggle with asking for what they want from someone.

Improving Self Esteem

Speaking with a psychologist can be helpful in identifying and challenging the beliefs that contribute to low self-esteem and engaging in specific, action driven behaviours that can lead to a better sense of self and provide you with the lasting benefits in various areas of your life.

During your sessions, Dr. Ahmed & associates will collaboratively work with you to explore, challenge and modify thoughts and beliefs associated with your self-esteem issues. Although , the sessions are focused on the “here and now”, often clients are curious to explore factors in their life that may have contributed to their struggles with self-esteem concerns. Some of the areas explored in the sessions include, but are not limited to:

• History of bullying, negative experiences, or social struggles.
• Anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns.
• Cultivating and reinforcing appreciation of self
• Recognizing and challenging self-defeating thoughts
• Improving self-confidence
• Responding well to criticism
• Separating a sense of worth from external circumstances/events/performance
• Shifting your focus from excessive comparison of oneself to others
• Identifying and acknowledging positive qualities in oneself
• Challenging the need to be perfect
• Building skills on how to deal with setbacks
• Learning to forgive yourself
• Accepting & coping with your mistakes
• Developing realistic goals

Most importantly, the sessions are focused on providing you with tools and strategies to develop and maintain a healthy self-esteem. By specifically addressing the thoughts that contribute to a negative evaluation of oneself, countering avoidance behaviors, and working towards enhancing a sense of self, we can help you grow and improve your self-esteem, so that you can experience the benefits that a greater self-worth can provide.

Dr. Ahmed & associates provide their clients with services that are customized based on the goals they are hoping to achieve from the sessions. Their approach to psychological interventions relies on scientific-based approaches such a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), however, they often integrates elements therapeutic modalities (e.g., mindfulness, motivational interviewing, schema focused therapy and client focused therapy based on their clients’ needs and preferences.

Taking the first step towards seeking help for your self-esteem concerns can be challenging. In particular, speaking to a psychologist may seem daunting but rest assured Dr. Ahmed & associates provide a supportive, collaborative, and non-judgmental environment so that you can feel comfortable express your concerns.

Contact Dr. Ahmed & associates for a consultation and inquire further about the process.