Self-esteem is a perception we have about our own worth but this has a big impact on how we behave and think. If you have low self-esteem, it can lead to issues like depression, anxiety and difficulties in your relationship. Therapy has an important role to play in improving self-esteem.
Professional help is a great way to improve your self-esteem.
You can book an appointment with a Townsville psychologist so that you can learn more about why you feel a certain way and how you can improve your overall mindset. A common therapeutic approach used to improve self-esteem is CBT or cognitive-behavioural therapy where negative thought patterns that are contributing to low self-esteem will be identified and challenged. Generally, individuals with low self-esteem tend to believe that they are unworthy or inadequate. They tend to engage in negative thoughts about themselves. You can recognise these thoughts with CBT so that you can replace them with more positive thoughts. You need to start changing the way you think about yourself so that your self-perception can be made different. ACT or acceptance and commitment therapy is another approach where you accept your thoughts and feelings without any judgement. You will then commit to actions that align with your values. In this method, you will not try eliminating the negative self-perceptions. Instead, you will learn to regard these thoughts as thoughts only and not truth. This will take the power away from negative self-beliefs. You will learn to be more compassionate towards yourself so that you can live a meaningful life.
Self-esteem can be improved with client-centred therapy.
Your psychologist will create a non-judgemental space in therapy with empathy and acceptance. They will offer unconditional positive regard to the individual which can make them feel understood and valued. A supportive environment can be very encouraging so that individuals then openly explore their feelings and experiences. This will lead to self-acceptance and improving self-esteem. Group therapy is also a great option as you will be able to share your experiences and hear from others who are going through similar experiences. These support groups can help give a sense of community and there will also be shared understanding. The group members can encourage and support you while giving constructive feedback. It is a great way to recognise the strengths of each person.
Negative therapy looks into individuals telling their life stories.
Here, they can identify how the narrative affects their perception about themselves. The psychologists will be able to help the individual reframe their narrative in a way that is more empowering so that they focus on their positive qualities, achievements and strengths. You can reconstruct your personal narrative so that the way you view yourself can be changed. This will lead to a more positive self-image. You can improve self-esteem with mindfulness based therapies as well so that you can learn to be present in the moment. You will learn to observe your feelings and thoughts without judgement so that the impact of negative self-belief can be reduced.
