Therapy for Self-Esteem in Halifax, Nova ScotiaStruggling with low self-esteem in the Halifax area?
Counselling can really help and is available in Nova Scotia. |
|
Self-esteem refers to your overall belief and opinion of yourself, including your strengths, abilities, and worth as an individual.
If you have good self-esteem you generally feel deserving of respect and happiness. Importantly, you are able to accept your flaws (we all have them) and mistakes, and ultimately believe you are capable of achieving your goals and aspirations.
You also have the confidence to take on challenges and face difficult tasks without feeling overwhelmed or discouraged.
Having positive self-esteem helps you feel empowered and in control of your life and decisions.
People with healthy self-esteem are proud of their accomplishments and can take risks knowing that they will not be crushed if things do not turn out exactly the way they would like. They feel worthy of the good things that happen to them, can express their needs and wants, can deal with criticism in a healthy way, and can accept the kindness, praise, and love of others.
Having healthy self-esteem is not the only thing that determines your happiness, but it definitely plays a very large role!
If you have good self-esteem you generally feel deserving of respect and happiness. Importantly, you are able to accept your flaws (we all have them) and mistakes, and ultimately believe you are capable of achieving your goals and aspirations.
You also have the confidence to take on challenges and face difficult tasks without feeling overwhelmed or discouraged.
Having positive self-esteem helps you feel empowered and in control of your life and decisions.
People with healthy self-esteem are proud of their accomplishments and can take risks knowing that they will not be crushed if things do not turn out exactly the way they would like. They feel worthy of the good things that happen to them, can express their needs and wants, can deal with criticism in a healthy way, and can accept the kindness, praise, and love of others.
Having healthy self-esteem is not the only thing that determines your happiness, but it definitely plays a very large role!
Where does self-esteem come from?
Although there are thousands of studies on self-esteem, the take home message is almost always that it depends on your parents and your peer relationships growing up. People with healthy self-esteem tend to have parents who modelled self-esteem, were loving, were involved in their children’s lives, and who gave them appropriate encouragement (but not empty praise).
These families recognize that their children are (of course) not perfect but love them, believe in them, guide them, encourage them, protect them when necessary, but do not always shield them from disappointment or failure (responding appropriately to failure is critical for the development of healthy self-esteem).
What are the consequences of low self-esteem?
|
Low self-esteem is associated with: ● Depression ● Anxiety and stress ● Physical symptoms such as headaches, tiredness, and insomnia ● Distrust or anger towards others |
|
● Increased likelihood of entering into unhealthy or abusive relationships
● Alcohol and drug abuse
● Eating disorders
● Non-assertive communication styles
● Dependency on others
● Excessive sensitivity to criticism
● Social withdrawal or isolation
● Alcohol and drug abuse
● Eating disorders
● Non-assertive communication styles
● Dependency on others
● Excessive sensitivity to criticism
● Social withdrawal or isolation
What are the benefits of improving self-esteem?
There are almost too many to count, but some common benefits you will notice when you start to improve your self-esteem include:
● Persisting in the face of difficulties or challenges
● Learning that others should treat you with respect (and doing the same for them)
● Improved decision-making (decisions are made based on logic and reason, not on insecurities)
● Increased creativity and improved ability to see possibilities and opportunities
● Greater independence
● Improved flexibility and ability to find solutions to unexpected challenges
● Willingness to admit mistakes
● Improved ability to cooperate and work with others
● Greater skill in identifying challenging but attainable goals
● Confidently expressing one’s values and beliefs without fearing the reactions of others
● Greater honesty in interpersonal relationships
● Improved personal happiness and overall life satisfaction
● Greater self-respect
Can you have too much self-esteem?
I have been asked this question many times - almost always from individuals who have very low self-esteem. My answer is always the same - "No".
Having high self-esteem and confidence is very different from being arrogant or egotistical. These traits result from having too little self-esteem, not too much. People with high self-esteem have no need to brag about their accomplishments, their intelligence, their jobs, etc.
They do not feel the need to prove their worth by comparing themselves to someone else. They are happy to be who they are. They do not attempt to artificially boost their self-esteem by being "better" than someone else.
How can I get started?
Regardless of your personal history or previous struggles, you can learn how to improve your self-esteem. If you would like to receive help (and live in the areas of Halifax, Bedford, Dartmouth, or anywhere in Nova Scotia) please read more about therapy and counselling, how to choose a psychologist, my treatment approach, and feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if you would like to set up an initial consultation.
Thanks!
Thanks!
