Self-esteem & confidence
Low self-esteem affects how we see ourselves, how we relate to others, and what we believe we’re allowed to need, want, or expect from the world around us. At The Clearing, we offer therapy for self-esteem and confidence to help you understand where these feelings come from, soften self-criticism, and build a kinder, fairer and more grounded relationship with yourself.
Find the right therapist for youHow low self-esteem can manifest
Low self-esteem isn’t always obvious from the outside. We might appear capable and confident to others, whilst internally full of doubt, criticism and self-loathing. You might recognise some of the following:
- Feeling “not good enough”
- Harsh self-criticism or inner judgement
- Struggling to trust your own needs, feelings, or decisions
- Negatively comparing yourself to others
- Difficulty accepting praise or recognition
- Fear of failure, rejection, or criticism
- People-pleasing or struggling to take up space in your relationships
- Feeling unworthy or undeserving of good things
You don’t need to know exactly why you feel this way for support to be helpful.
How therapy for self-esteem can help
Therapy isn’t about forcing confidence or pretending everything is fine. It’s about understanding how your view of yourself developed, how it affects your life now, and what could help you relate to yourself differently.
Understand your inner critic
Explore the thoughts, beliefs, and experiences that have shaped how you see yourself.
Build self-compassion
Develop a kinder, more supportive way of relating to yourself, especially when things are difficult.
Strengthen confidence over time
Come to trust your own feelings, express your needs, and make choices that feel more aligned with who you really are.
Self-esteem counselling
Self-esteem counselling helps you explore the roots of any self-doubt, shame, people-pleasing, or feelings that you aren’t enough.
For some people, low self-esteem is linked to early experiences - criticism, bullying, trauma, or feeling misunderstood. For others, it may have built slowly across adulthood through stress, negative comparisons, or repeated setbacks.
Therapy offers a safe space to understand these patterns and build a more compassionate, confident relationship with yourself.
Is this what you're looking for?
This support may be helpful if you:
- Struggle with self-doubt, shame, or self-criticism
- Feel not good enough, even when things seem fine externally
- Rely on external approval or reassurance
- Find it hard to trust yourself or make decisions
- Struggle to express your needs or boundaries
Book now if you want to:
- Understand and change long-standing beliefs about yourself
- Build a kinder, more compassionate and more secure relationship with yourself
- Uncover the roots of this negative self-image
- Learn how to more comfortably take up space in your relationships
- Find a warm, safe space to work through these issues at your own pace
Therapists offering self-esteem and confidence support
Several members of our team work with self-esteem, confidence, self-criticism, and the patterns that can underpin them. You can explore our therapist profiles below to find someone whose approach feels right for you.
Sharon
UKCP Accredited Psychotherapist
Annette
BACP Registered Psychotherapeutic Counsellor
Elizabeth
Senior Accredited Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist
Dr Rhian
Chartered Counselling Psychologist | Founder of The Clearing
Joanne
BACP Registered Counsellor & Clinical Supervisor
We also offer support with:
- Anger & emotional regulation
- Anxiety
- Attachment & relationship patterns
- Bereavement & loss
- Burnout & Stress
- Child & young person therapy
- Compulsive behaviours
- Depression
- EMDR for Trauma
- Emotional numbness & shutdown
- Neurodiversity (ADHD & Autism)
- People-pleasing & boundaries
- Relationship & couples therapy
- Trauma
We are here for you
Whether you know what you need or are still figuring things out, we’ll take things at your pace. To help you decide whether it’s right for you, we offer 50% off your first session, giving you a gentle, low-pressure way to begin your journey toward feeling better.