3 Benefits of Therapy to Improve Self-Esteem 

Self-esteem is the perceived level of confidence we have in our skills and abilities. You may hear it referred to by names like self-respect or self-worth. By any name, this term is an important characteristic that speaks to our emotional and mental wellbeing. People with high self-esteem experience anxiety and stress less often and less intensely, and they are significantly less likely to deal with depression. If you struggle with low self-esteem, these are just a few of the many benefits of seeking therapy to improve your self-perception. In this blog, we’re going to talk about three of the other benefits of seeking therapy to improve self-esteem.  

1 – Decrease Symptoms & Effects of Low Self-Esteem

Low self-esteem may not sound like something that negatively impacts much of your life. Who will even know if you don’t feel very confident? While it seems like a purely private matter, the truth is that poor self-esteem can ripple out and impact all aspects of life from academic pursuits to romantic relationships. Therapy improves the symptoms of low self-esteem, allowing you to enjoy a greater sense of self-worth in all aspects of your life. Some of the symptoms that therapy addresses include: 

• Shame, embarrassment, or feeling of being judged by others
• Pessimistic thinking (focusing on worst case scenarios) 
• Self-doubt or lack of confidence
• Difficulty establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries in relationships
• Self-isolating to avoid potential embarrassment 
• Inability to take a compliment 
• Not taking responsibility for things, especially if there is any criticism 
• Lashing out when criticized 
• Experiencing stomach issues, headaches, body aches, or sleep disturbances with no apparent medical cause

2 – Recognize & Avoid Risk Factors that Lead to Poor Self-Esteem

Anyone may develop low self-esteem, but there are some common patterns and factors that increase risk, including: 

• Abuse or neglect (physical, emotional, sexual, spiritual, financial) 
• Poor attachment bonds with parents and caregivers 
• Difficult or traumatic experiences in childhood, including loss of a loved one, near death experience, and custody issues between divorced parents
• Disapproval or negative feedback from people in authority, including teachers, parents, and others
• Bullying from peers or loved ones 
• Struggles in school, including learning disabilities 
• Neurodivergence and disabilities that make the person feel different/misunderstood
• Body dysmorphia or feelings of inadequacies to live up to cultural standards of beauty 
• Religious oppression, shame, and guilt 
• Lofty and unrealistic life goals that have not been met

3 – Improve Individual Wellbeing & relationships

Lack of self-esteem leads to numerous adverse effects as outlined above. Over time, many people with low self-esteem find themselves feeling depressed, isolated, hopeless, anxious, and overly stressed. Not only does the individual suffer, but their relationships are also challenging. For people who struggle to see their value, it can be hard to trust others who want to be in a romantic or even a friendly relationship with them. Those with low self-esteem might have thoughts like – Why would they want to spend time with me? Wouldn’t they be better off with someone else? This kind of thinking is destructive to healthy relationships. During therapy for low self-esteem, your therapist can help you to recognize and challenge negative thinking patterns that make your life more difficult and cause struggles in your relationships. As you start to change these negative thought cycles, you may find yourself feeling more confident and comfortable individually and within your relationships. 

Schedule a Visit with Our Team 

If you’re interested in learning more about how therapy can be an important part of improving self-esteem, we hope you’ll reach out to the Lansing Counseling team. Our knowledgeable therapists can help you develop a greater sense of self-worth. We make getting started at our office simple. You can call (517) 333-1499, email [email protected], or fill out our online scheduling request.