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Self-Esteem Therapy

When self-esteem is healthy, you are able to recognize your strengths and limitations without harsh judgment

What low self-esteem can feel like

Low self-esteem often develops over time and may feel deeply ingrained. It can show up in many ways, including:

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  • Constant negative self-talk or harsh inner criticism

  • Minimizing your strengths or accomplishments

  • Comparing yourself unfavorably to others

  • Feeling unworthy, inadequate, or “not enough”

  • Blaming yourself when things go wrong

  • Difficulty setting boundaries or asserting needs

  • Fear of rejection or needing external validation

  • Struggles in relationships or people-pleasing patterns

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You may intellectually know these thoughts are unfair, yet still feel stuck in them emotionally.

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Understanding self-esteem

Self-esteem is not about being confident all the time or feeling good about yourself every day. It is shaped by early experiences, relationships, cultural messages, trauma, and environments where your needs, identity, or emotions may not have been fully seen or valued.

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Over time, these experiences can form deeply held beliefs about who you are and what you deserve. These beliefs often operate automatically and feel like facts rather than learned patterns.

 

Therapy offers a space to gently examine and shift these patterns.

How therapy can help with self-esteem?

Self-esteem work is not about forcing positive thinking. It is about developing awareness, self-compassion, and a more balanced internal voice.

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In therapy, we may work on:

  • Understanding when and how negative self-beliefs developed

  • Identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and internalized messages

  • Learning to respond differently to self-criticism

  • Building self-compassion and emotional regulation

  • Setting realistic goals and boundaries

  • Strengthening a sense of self that is not based solely on performance or approval

 

This work is paced carefully and grounded in your lived experience.

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Self-esteem support in Toronto & Ontario-Wide

If low self-esteem has been affecting how you feel, how you relate to others, or how you show up in your life, support is available. I offer self-esteem therapy virtually across Ontario and in person in Toronto. You are welcome to book a free 15-minute consultation to ask questions and see if this feels like a good fit.

Self-esteem therapy at Hedefa Psychology Clinic

At Hedefa Psychology Clinic, self-esteem therapy is personalized and trauma informed. I recognize that low self-esteem often overlaps with anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, identity related stress, and experiences of marginalization.

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I draw from evidence-based approaches including:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

  • Mindfulness-based approaches

  • Internal Family Systems informed work

  • Psychodynamic and relational therapy

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The goal is not to “fix” you, but to help you build a kinder, more stable relationship with yourself.

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