Our Psychologists have availability for face-to-face and online appointments for adults, adolescents and children.
Our Psychologists have availability for face-to-face and online appointments for adults, adolescents and children.
Self-esteem issues show up when someone often doubts their worth, feels not good enough, or struggles to recognise their strengths. It can look like harsh self-talk, avoiding challenges, people-pleasing, or needing constant reassurance. These patterns often stem from early criticism, bullying, or big life changes, and over time can affect confidence, relationships, and mental health. Treatment for self-esteem issues usually involves evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which helps shift unhelpful thinking patterns and build a more balanced self-view. Chatting with one of our clinical psychologists is a great first step toward feeling more confident and grounded.
These signs can impact confidence, relationships, and even overall wellbeing. If they’re sticking around, it might be worth exploring treatment for self-esteem issues with a clinical psychologist.
Often thinking things like “I’m useless” or “I’ll never be good enough”
Fearing failure or worrying too much about what others will think
Putting others’ needs ahead of your own to gain approval
Brushing off praise or feeling uncomfortable with it
Saying sorry all the time, even when you’ve done nothing wrong
Taking things very personally or avoiding feedback
Constantly feeling like you don’t measure up
1 in 10 Australian teens start high school with low self-esteem, dropping 35% from early childhood
Almost half of Aussie teens feel unhappy with their bodies, with eating disorders up 86% since 2012
Half of Australian women report low self-esteem, which is linked to rising mental health concerns
Teens using social media over 3 hours a day are 24% more likely to have low self-esteem
Self-esteem plays a big role in our overall mental health, relationships, and daily life. People with healthy self-esteem tend to feel more confident, bounce back from setbacks, and have a more positive view of themselves. But when self-esteem is low, it can contribute to things like anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal.
A large research review published in 2023 looked at 76 studies involving over 35,000 people and found that self-esteem is closely linked to self-compassion. In fact, both were found to be equally important when it comes to boosting wellbeing and lowering emotional distress. So, when someone is struggling with self-esteem issues, building self-compassion is just as important as working on self-worth.
When it comes to treatment for self-esteem issues, the research is very clear: evidence-based therapies can make a big difference.
CBT is one of the most widely studied and effective treatments for low self-esteem. Research shows that CBT helps people identify and challenge unhelpful thinking patterns and replace them with more realistic, compassionate thoughts. The same 2023 review found that CBT led to medium-to-large improvements in self-esteem, and importantly, those gains lasted months after therapy ended. That means CBT doesn’t just help in the short term—it can lead to lasting change.
EMDR, which is often used for trauma, can also be effective in helping with low self-esteem—particularly when self-worth issues are linked to past emotional experiences or memories. While CBT tends to show stronger results overall, EMDR may still be a good option, especially when used in targeted ways with multiple sessions.
Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) and other self-compassion strategies, such as mindfulness and self-kindness exercises, are also backed by research. These approaches help people treat themselves with the same care and understanding they’d offer a friend. Studies show that these methods can significantly improve self-esteem and emotional wellbeing, especially for those who are self-critical or feel a lot of shame.
We often think of self-esteem as something you’re either born with or not—but the research tells a different story. With the right support, it’s absolutely possible to rebuild and strengthen self-esteem, even if you’ve struggled with it for years.
If you’re experiencing low self-worth or related challenges, treatment for self-esteem issues can help you gain confidence, feel more grounded, and improve your mental health. Our clinical psychologists offer evidence-based support tailored to your needs, whether through CBT, compassion-focused work, or other proven approaches.
*Source: Self-Esteem and Self-Compassion: A Narrative Review and Meta-Analysis on Their Links to Psychological Problems and Well-Being – National Library of Medicine | PubMed Central
Notice unhelpful thoughts and gently challenge them—ask yourself, Would I say this to a friend?
Do one thing each day that gives you a sense of achievement, no matter how small.
Cut back on social media that makes you feel "less than"—curate your feed to lift you up.
Clinical Psychologist, Director of MindBox Psychology
Our Psychologists are highly qualified, with Masters or Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology. We use evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Strength-Based Interventions, to help individuals build self-esteem, develop self-acceptance, and foster a more positive self-image.
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
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