Therapy for Self-Esteem
In-person and online therapy for self-esteem, based in Brentwood, Los Angeles
Understanding Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is your sense of worth, how you see yourself across situations. Healthy self-esteem means you can notice both strengths and limits without harsh self-judgment and make choices that fit your values. When self-esteem is low, anxiety and stress often grow louder, which can amplify self-doubt and make change feel hard.
We offer steady, practical support in Brentwood, Los Angeles. Together we will slow down, understand what is going on, and build skills that help you feel more solid day to day.
Self-esteem is shaped by how you have been seen and treated across your life. Early relationships, family messages, and cultural pressures influence the story you tell yourself about your worth. Over time this can turn into harsh self-talk, doubt in relationships, and a sense of falling behind at work. Therapy helps you look at these roots with care so you can build a more stable, honest view of yourself.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Low Self-Esteem
A constant “not enough” feeling
Second-guessing most decisions
Over-apologizing or avoiding direct talks
Comparing yourself to others and feeling behind
Doubting your value in relationships or at work
Feeling worn down by anxiety and stress
Our Approach to Working with Self-Esteem
We are psychodynamically oriented. That means we look under the surface, not just at quick tips. We connect past experiences to what shows up today, including the beliefs that keep self-doubt in place. The therapy relationship offers a new experience of being understood and valued, which helps you see yourself more fairly and act with more confidence.
Early sessions often focus on mapping how self-esteem shows up in your relationships, work, and inner life. As therapy progresses, we explore the origins of these patterns, gently challenge the critical inner voice, and practice new ways of relating to yourself.
Over time, clients often report a stronger sense of self-worth, greater confidence in relationships, and the ability to meet life’s challenges with resilience rather than self-doubt.
How Therapy Helps with Self-Esteem
Self-esteem challenges are rarely solved by quick fixes. While affirmations or goal setting can help in the moment, therapy goes deeper, exploring where these patterns began and offering a corrective experience in the present.
In therapy, you’ll have a safe space to:
Understand the roots – Identify early experiences, relational wounds, or cultural messages that shaped your self-image.
Challenge old patterns – Notice and shift the unconscious beliefs that keep self-criticism alive.
Experience yourself differently – The therapeutic relationship itself becomes a place where you can feel understood, valued, and supported in a new way.
Build new tools – From mindfulness and self-compassion practices to reframing negative thoughts, therapy combines insight with practical strategies you can use every day.
Frequently Asked Questions about Self-Esteem
-
Low self-esteem can develop for many reasons. Early relationships, critical environments, trauma, cultural pressures, or repeated negative experiences often leave lasting impressions. Over time, these experiences can create a negative self image and a persistent sense of low self worth.
-
They’re connected but not identical. Self-esteem is how you value yourself overall, while confidence is the trust you have in your abilities in specific situations. For example, you might have healthy self-esteem but lack confidence at work, or vice versa. Therapy helps strengthen both.
-
When self-esteem is low, relationships can feel unsteady. You may overextend yourself, struggle to express needs, or doubt your partner’s care. Therapy helps you know your worth in a relationship, strengthen boundaries, and build healthier patterns of connection.
-
Yes. While self-esteem is often thought of as purely emotional, it can have very real effects on the body. Living with low self worth or constant feelings of inadequacy can increase stress, disrupt sleep, and contribute to anxiety or depression. Over time, these struggles may also affect concentration, energy, and even physical well-being. By working on the underlying causes of low self-esteem in therapy, many people notice not only greater confidence but also improvements in overall health and resilience.
Let’s Get Started
A vibrant life is doable. Let's build yours together.