Do I Have Low Self-Esteem?
Living with low self-esteem can be difficult, particularly when self-doubt and self-criticism become so constant that they start to feel like a normal part of how you think. You might avoid challenges because you’re afraid of failure, compare yourself to others, dismiss your achievements, or struggle to recognise your own strengths. These thoughts can feel deeply ingrained, but they don’t define you. Whatever low self-esteem looks like for you, it’s important to know that it isn’t fixed. With time, self-awareness and the right support, your relationship with yourself can shift and improve.
Do I Have Low Self-Esteem? Our Quiz
Trudy Jacobsen
Trudy Jacobsen is a highly experienced counsellor with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals and couples with her warm, grounded and outcome-driven approach. She is available for new clients for in-person appointments in Booval, Brisbane as well as online video appointments.
https://lifesupportscounselling.com.au/counsellors/trudy-jacobsen/
- Master of Social Work
- Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)
- Member of the AASW
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Open 8am to 8pm weekdays and 9am to 5:30pm weekends
How Counselling Can Help
Counselling can be an immense help when you’re struggling with low self-esteem, helping you build a steadier, kinder relationship with yourself. A counsellor can work with you to understand where unhelpful thought patterns may have come from, recognise the stories you’ve come to believe about yourself, and develop strategies to challenge them. It’s not about forcing positivity or pretending everything is fine - it’s about developing a more compassionate and realistic view of yourself.
At Life Supports, we’ll match you with a counsellor or therapist who suits your needs, preferences and experiences, helping you feel comfortable and supported throughout the process.
If you’d like to arrange a time to chat, call 1300 735 030 7 days a week, or book online.
FAQs
There are several different reasons someone may struggle with low self-esteem. Stressful experiences in early life (bullying, relentless criticism from parents or teachers, poor grades), a negative internal monologue, or ongoing situational stress are just some of the reasons a person may experience feelings of low self-esteem.
No, low self-esteem differs from low confidence. While self-confidence refers to your belief in your own ability to handle certain challenges or situations, self-esteem relates to how you feel about who you are as a person and your worth. Interestingly, confident people can have low self-esteem and people with high self-esteem can struggle with confidence.
Low self-esteem can affect relationships by contributing to insecurity, fear of rejection, and difficulty recognising your own needs and boundaries. If you believe you have little worth, you may be more likely to put your partner’s needs above your own, even when doing so is unfair or unhealthy for you.
Low self-esteem can also contribute to people-pleasing, jealousy, reassurance-seeking, or worrying that your partner may leave or lose interest in you. Building a healthier sense of self-worth can help you feel more secure in your relationships, communicate your needs more openly, and develop stronger boundaries.
No, you don't need a referral to see a counsellor, you can book an appointment directly with our team.