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Counselling for Low Self Esteem in London

Efficacy’s Cognitive Behavioural therapists, based in centres across London & Sevenoaks, are experts and highly training in delivering CBT treatments to help you overcome low self esteem issues.

Self-esteem is the self perception of how we view ourselves, our perception of how others see us, and the thoughts and beliefs we have about ourselves, our world, and our future.

Common Features

When our perception of ourselves is negative it can lead to an overwhelming feeling of low self-worth; “I’m not good enough”; “not interesting enough”; and/or “I am not attractive enough.”

These are not just transient negative automatic thought that we all might have from time to time in a particular difficult situation, but in low self esteem, these are global ideas about the self that keep on reoccurring in most situations.

When a person with low self esteem enters a difficult situations then negative belief about the self are activated. This then generates negative predictions, about what could go wrong, and generates anxiety. To compensate, or stop the bad prediction, from happening we can take unhelpful precautions. These actions, intended to cope, can reinforce the negative belief or “contaminates” the outcome; and in turn confirming the core belief.

As such, for example, we can stop seeing our friends or even going out to do the food shopping from fear of being criticised or judged by others – so we can become isolated. Similarly, when we do see others we may feel it is important to help others and please others as much as possible, if not “I will be rejected, abandoned, unloved.” etc.

Treatment Options

In low self esteem, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) takes the view that these core beliefs are just opinions, and not facts, that are maintained by unhelpful thinking or behaviours. To overcome low self esteem we use a standard set of strategies proven to test out these beliefs and develop a new set of helpful behaviours. The aim is to see if they these beliefs stand up to evidence and if not to identify alternative ‘rational’ interpretation about how things are.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) focuses on our thinking errors and retrains the brain to think in a more balanced way and it focuses on behaviours to make them more functional.

If we have the thought that a person has just ignored me and that means I am not good enough, perhaps a more balanced thought might be that the person was preoccupied and may have a few problems to deal with. Instead, therefore, of going home and doing nothing, perhaps a ‘phone call to this person to see if they are alright might be a more helpful behaviour; helping us to confirm our new more balanced thought.

Treatment usually includes:

• Cognitive restructuring
• Analysis of currently held Schema
• Behavioural Activation
• Behavioural Experiments
• Social Skills training
• Assertiveness Training
• Role play
• Mindfulness training

We are a pure CBT service based in three London locations and Sevenoaks with a team of BABCP accredited Cognitive behavioural therapists. All accredited cognitive behavioural therapists will be trained mental health professionals and competent in the diagnosis and treatment of Low Self Esteem, so you can be assured that you health is in the hands of trusted health care professionals.

Evidence Base

CBT has an empirically proven evidence base that reveals it is as effective as medication for alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression and it also helps to provide the patient with a toolkit to take with them for the future to prevent relapse.

If you would like to find out more or book an assessment in London then call on the number below or complete the online contact form.

Telephone: 020 7929 7911