Counselling for Building Self-Worth and Confidence

Building Self-Worth and Confidence

Low self-esteem and negative self-image can affect every area of your life—from relationships and career decisions to daily interactions and personal goals. If you find yourself constantly criticizing yourself, feeling "not good enough," or struggling with confidence, you're not alone. Therapy can help you develop a more balanced, compassionate view of yourself and build genuine self-worth.

Self-esteem challenges we help with:

Negative Self-Talk - Constant self-criticism, harsh inner dialogue, or perfectionist thinking patterns

Body Image Issues - Dissatisfaction with physical appearance that impacts daily life and relationships

Body Dysmorphia - Intense preoccupation with perceived flaws in appearance that others may not notice or view as minor

Imposter Syndrome - Feeling like a fraud despite achievements or qualifications

People-Pleasing - Difficulty setting boundaries or saying no due to fear of rejection or disapproval

Perfectionism - Setting unrealistic standards that lead to chronic disappointment and self-criticism

Social Anxiety - Fear of judgment or rejection that limits social connections and opportunities

Comparison and Inadequacy - Constantly measuring yourself against others and feeling you don't measure up

Shame and Self-Blame - Carrying excessive guilt or shame about past mistakes or perceived flaws

You might be experiencing:

• A persistent inner critic that tells you you're not good enough
• Difficulty accepting compliments or acknowledging your achievements
• Avoiding challenges or opportunities due to fear of failure
• Staying in unhealthy relationships because you don't think you deserve better
• Difficulty making decisions or trusting your own judgment
• Feeling like you need to be perfect to be worthy of love or respect
• Comparing yourself to others and always coming up short
• Physical symptoms like tension or fatigue from constant self-monitoring

Our approach to building self-esteem:

Developing healthy self-esteem is about learning to see yourself more accurately and compassionately. Our therapeutic approach may include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - Identifying and challenging negative thought patterns and self-critical beliefs

Emotion Focused Therapy - Understanding and processing emotions related to self-worth and building emotional awareness

EMDR Therapy - Processing past experiences or trauma that contributed to negative self-beliefs and installing positive self-regard

Self-Compassion Training - Learning to treat yourself with the same kindness you'd show a good friend

Values Clarification - Identifying what truly matters to you, separate from others' expectations

Assertiveness Training - Developing skills to express your needs and set healthy boundaries

Mindfulness Techniques - Becoming aware of self-critical thoughts without being overwhelmed by them

Strengths Identification - Recognizing and building on your existing positive qualities and abilities

What you can expect:

Building self-esteem is a gradual process that involves both changing thought patterns and healing underlying wounds that contributed to negative self-image. Many clients begin to notice small shifts in how they talk to themselves within the first few sessions, with deeper changes developing over time.

We'll work together to understand where your self-critical beliefs came from, challenge thoughts that aren't serving you, and develop a more balanced, realistic view of yourself. The goal isn't to become overly confident, but to develop genuine self-acceptance and healthy confidence.

Sessions are available in-person at our Calgary office or online throughout Alberta, Nunavut, and Quebec. Self-esteem work can feel vulnerable, so we'll create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can explore these sensitive topics at your own pace.

You deserve to feel good about yourself and to treat yourself with kindness. With support and practice, it's possible to quiet your inner critic and develop the self-worth that's been there all along.