Starting self-esteem counselling is similar to driving. Like taking your car into the garage to determine where the oil leak stems from, we spend some time determining where your negative self-talk stems from. While at the garage, the mechanic may find another issue that needs attention. Similarly, we may discuss your self-doubts, your need to meet other people’s expectations, and any people-pleasing tenancies. I sit next to you in the passenger seat, ensuring you are safe, heard, validated, and supported as you drive. I offer strategies and tools designed to help you build self-esteem and self-worth. You can pull over, slow down, or change lanes at any time. You gain new insight and understanding, which in turn creates new experiences and awareness. Driving home after your counselling session, you notice your positive self-talk and how you can strengthen this voice. You also reflect on experiences when you felt good about yourself.
I am a registered clinical counsellor in Burnaby (#19428) dedicated to supporting individuals in building their self-esteem.
I am a Burnaby therapist who works with you to explore your self-talk, insecurities, and relationship with yourself. This happens in a safe, non-judgmental, and confidential space, in-person and online. You may be busy trying to meet other people’s expectations and describe yourself as a people pleaser. I focus on your strengths and work to reduce your self-doubt.
At Ease Counselling in Burnaby, I offer individual, in-person, and online self-esteem counselling for adults and youth. I work with you to help you achieve your goals and improve your mental health.
As your Burnaby BIPOC counsellor, I ensure you feel seen, heard, validated, and accepted. Starting your healing journey takes courage, and I am here to support you every step of the way.
You may be a busy, successful professional who struggles with low self-esteem. At work, you may appear like you have high self-esteem, and coworkers may admire how you carry yourself. However, internally, you may struggle with low self-esteem, increased self-doubt and low self-confidence, but you feel embarrassed or uncomfortable sharing your feelings.
You may be a high-achieving student who struggles with low self-esteem. At school, your peers and friends admire your ability to study and deliver coursework and presentations confidently. However, internally, you may struggle with low self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence, and worry because your self-esteem is tied to your achievements.
You may be a stay-at-home parent or caregiver who struggles with low self-esteem. At home, you may appear confident, and you consistently meet the needs of your partner and children. However, internally, you may struggle with low self-esteem and self-confidence because your self-esteem is tied to your ability to parent.
At Ease Counselling in Burnaby provides a safe space to share and explore how your low self-esteem impacts your life.
Low self-esteem can manifest on the surface for people in various forms. Some examples include:
Burnaby self-esteem counselling provides a non-judgmental, kind, and compassionate space to help you build your self-esteem. Together, we focus on your needs, which may include the following:
As your counsellor in Burnaby, I use a variety of different counselling modalities to support clients with self-esteem. Every client is different, and as a counsellor, I support each client with where they are in their healing journey. Counselling modalities that can help include:
ACT can help clients accept their thoughts and feelings without trying to change them. It can also help individuals change their behaviour so that it aligns more closely with their values. For example, saying no to others and prioritising their needs and goals.
CBT can help individuals identify and challenge negative core beliefs and thought patterns. For example, I’m not good enough, my needs don’t matter, and I’m unimportant.
DBT can help individuals with emotional regulation and distress tolerance by learning skills and strategies to help them cope. For example, noticing signs of low self-worth and self-esteem in the body and learning how to manage these feelings.
Books and websites to help you build your self-esteem
Shianna Ali, The Self-Love Workbook
Nathaniel Branden, The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem
David Burns, Ten Days to Self-Esteem
Mark Goulston and Philip Goldberg, Get Out of Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behaviour
Barbara Markway and Celia Ampel, The Self-Confidence Workbook
Matthew McKay, Self-Esteem: A Proven Program of Cognitive Techniques for Assessing, Improving and Maintaining Your Self-Esteem
Glenn Schiraldi, The Self-Esteem Workbook
https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/looking-after-yourself/self-esteem
https://positivepsychology.com/self-esteem-tools-activities/
https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-worksheets/self-esteem/none
Burnaby self-esteem counselling in Burnaby focuses on the connection between your thoughts and negative core beliefs. Your thoughts are not facts, and we can change them. For example, when your negative thoughts surface, you may believe you are not worthy or deserving. These negative core beliefs are not true, and we can work together to change them. Some clients struggle with a negative, harsh inner dialogue, which may stem from criticism they received when they were younger. As a Burnaby therapist, I work with clients to help them strengthen their positive self-talk. Some of our work together also focuses on increasing self-kindness, self-compassion and self-love. Self-love may include treating yourself with the same kindness you show your best friend, prioritising your needs, making space for uncomfortable feelings and showing up for yourself because you are worthy.
Burnaby self-esteem counselling in Burnaby explores how your negative thoughts and core beliefs impact your life. For example, some clients feel frustrated with themselves when they make a mistake, and they give themselves a hard time. Other clients share how they doubt their abilities, and they rely on others for validation and reassurance. As a counsellor in Burnaby, I remain curious to learn more about my clients’ experiences and how their lives would be different if they didn’t struggle with negative thoughts and core beliefs. We also explore the origins of negative thoughts and beliefs. For some clients, this stems from their childhood. In some cases, clients grew up with a critical parent or caregiver, while others grew up with a critical teacher, coach, or boss. In counselling, we explore coping mechanisms, and I share techniques to help you build your self-esteem.
Burnaby self-esteem counselling in Burnaby helps you heal from experiences that resulted in low self-esteem. Some of your self-doubt, low self-esteem and negative core beliefs may stem from your childhood or upbringing. As a Burnaby therapist, I work with you to strengthen positive beliefs, reduce self-doubt, build self-esteem and heal your inner child. Some of our work together involves focusing on strengths and achievements. Clients who struggle with low self-esteem sometimes focus on their mistakes or feel like they are not good enough. They are not able to focus on achievements or accomplishments. These are sometimes minimised or not recognised. I also support clients who struggle with feeling like an imposter at work. We work together to reduce these feelings and build their self-esteem.
For some clients, their low self-esteem is due to the abuse or trauma they experienced growing up. For others, it is due to the criticism they experienced from their parents or others, or because of bullying. At Ease Counselling in Burnaby also supports individuals who experience low self-esteem due to poor academic performance in school, college or at work. Finally, there are other factors, such as social or cultural pressure, that may result in an individual experiencing low self-esteem.
Yes, excessive time spent on social media is detrimental to individuals, especially those who compare themselves to others. Some clients see posts on social media from individuals and feel less than, inadequate or like a failure. As a Burnaby therapist, I work with clients to help them recognise how they feel before they go on social media, as for some, social media can be a distraction. I also spend time understanding how clients feel after they’ve spent time on social media. Many share that they feel worse, and others disclose doom scrolling.
There are small steps that individuals can take to build their self-esteem, and here are a few to try. Firstly, by becoming curious about their thoughts. Some individuals struggle with negative thoughts and negative inner dialogue. They can challenge this and unpack where this stems from in counselling. Secondly, acknowledge things that are going well. For example, as a Burnaby therapist, I support clients in focusing on their strengths and achievements. Thirdly, identifying needs and implementing boundaries. Finally, acceptance and forgiveness for past mistakes or regrets.
No, self-esteem is connected to your sense of self-worth, while self-confidence is tied to an individual’s ability to do well at a task. Low self-esteem may result in individuals feeling bad about themselves, worthless or unlovable. Low self-confidence may lead individuals to avoid tasks or activities they believe they are not skilled at. At Ease Counselling in Burnaby supports individuals in building and strengthening their self-esteem and self-confidence.
This depends on the individual and their unique experiences. Clients who were criticised for years may have internalised this criticism and, as a result, have a negative, harsh inner dialogue. As a Burnaby therapist, I support these individuals by strengthening their positive inner dialogue, self-kindness and self-esteem. Clients who were criticised for shorter periods and received support from caregivers or loved ones may have low self-esteem, but they may not struggle with a negative inner dialogue in the same way.
As a Burnaby BIPOC counsellor, sessions focus on meeting you where you are and working at your pace, alongside you, with compassion, kindness, and curiosity, both in-person and online.
As a Burnaby therapist, I incorporate evidence-based modalities in every session. I am trained in various evidence-based modalities, including Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. Each of these modalities equips me to support your unique needs, and we work together to achieve your counselling goals.
As a Burnaby therapist, I understand the impact of inequality and oppression, providing a safe, non-judgmental, and inclusive space in-person and online. People from all ethnic backgrounds, genders, and sexual orientations, including 2SLGBTQ+, are welcome. As a South Asian Burnaby therapist, I create a culturally sensitive space, and I am curious to learn more about your culture, norms, and values.
