Self-esteem Therapy in Calgary
When Self-Doubt Becomes a Constant Companion
Do you ever feel like you’re not good enough?
Unworthy? A fraud? As if others would reject you if they knew “the real you”?
Do you criticize yourself harshly, compare yourself to others, or constantly feel like you’re falling short?
When this negative inner dialogue becomes constant, it can harm your confidence, relationships, career, and overall well-being. In many cases, it also contributes to anxiety or depression.
One of the most important relationships to navigate is the relationship we have with ourselves.
What is Self-Esteem?
Self-esteem is your overall sense of worth and value. It shapes how you think about yourself, how you evaluate your abilities, and how you believe others see you.
Healthy self-esteem is linked to:
Confidence and resilience
Positive mood and emotional balance
Fulfilling relationships
Satisfaction in work and life
Greater overall well-being
Secure vs. Low Self-Esteem
Secure self-esteem means you can see yourself realistically, accept your strengths and limitations, and still value who you are. It allows you to set boundaries, express your needs, make decisions with confidence, and build healthy connections.
Low self-esteem may show up as:
Excessive self-criticism
Feeling powerless, unworthy, or “not enough”
Struggling to express needs and emotions
Feeling easily hurt or rejected
Difficulty experiencing joy, connection, or confidence
Left unaddressed, low self-esteem can limit your growth and increase the risk of anxiety, depression, or relationship struggles.
What Causes Low Self-Esteem?
Self-esteem is shaped by a mix of internal and external influences. Factors that may contribute to low self-esteem include:
Early experiences — such as criticism, neglect, bullying, or trauma in childhood.
Critical inner dialogue — ongoing self-judgment, perfectionism, or unrealistic standards.
Life events — relationship breakdowns, job loss, financial stress, or health challenges.
Social and cultural influences — media comparisons, societal pressures, or lack of support.
Contextual factors — education, employment, or socioeconomic stressors.
Because self-esteem is complex, the causes are rarely one-dimensional. It’s often a combination of these influences that keep negative beliefs in place.
Therapy for Low Self-Esteem
The good news: self-esteem is not fixed. With the right support, you can shift how you relate to yourself and build a more confident, compassionate sense of self.
In therapy, we work together to:
Identify and understand the roots of your self-critical thoughts.
Challenge and reframe self-defeating beliefs and negative self-talk.
Practice new skills for self-compassion, assertiveness, and boundary-setting.
Strengthen resilience so you can move forward with purpose and confidence.
I see clients for self-esteem issues both in-person in my Calgary office and online across Alberta.