Self Esteem & Self Confidence

There is much overlap between these two but they are actually different.  And it is completely possible for someone to be highly self-confident yet have low self-esteem.  

Self-esteem 

“Self-esteem is made up primarily of two things: feeling lovable and feeling capable” – Jack Canfield  

"Esteem" is derived from the Latin aestimare, meaning "to appraise, value, rate, weigh, estimate”. Self-esteem is our appraisal of our own worth. Put simply, it’s how we feel about ourselves. And it is through this self-appraisal that we determine our relationship with ourselves, with others, and with the world around us.  

Self-confidence 

“The only thing that matters in life, is your own opinion of yourself” – Osho 

"Confidence" comes from the Latin fidere, meaning "to trust." A self-confident person believes in themselves and their abilities, particularly their ability to engage with the world. A self-confident person will usually rise to new challenges, seize opportunities, deal with difficult situations, and take responsibility when things don’t go to plan. 

Signs of low self-esteem/self-confidence 

Some people are affected by low self-esteem or low self-confidence in certain situations, but others may find it to be restrictive or even, debilitating. Low self-esteem can create a critical inner voice and you may find yourself thinking and believing negative self-thoughts, focusing on your mistakes/failings and avoiding situations where you may feel judged by others. You may find yourself lacking assertiveness and experiencing social anxiety, shyness and communication difficulties when you have low self-confidence. Both low self-esteem and self-confidence can make communicating difficult and interfere with simple daily interactions and personal relationships.  

How we can help  

Negative self-talk will not increase your self-confidence. In fact, it’ll do the opposite and reinforce those unhelpful thoughts and beliefs you have about yourself. When self-confidence and/or self-esteem issues impact your everyday life, talking to a counsellor is the first step towards regaining control. 

We will work with you to help you explore any underlying issues that might be causing your low self-confidence/self-esteem, and draw on a range of therapies, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (designed to change problematic thinking patterns causing anxiety), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (a form of mindfulness-based therapy requiring you to accept the difficulties that come with life and commit to making changes to overcome them) and Narrative Therapy (separating yourself from the problem) to help you realise your strengths and talents. 

We will encourage you to identify and focus on the changes that are within your control and support you as you set out to achieve the changes that will increase your self-esteem and/or self-confidence.  

If you, or anyone you know is experiencing issues with low self-esteem and/or low self-confidence, please Book with us at Clearview Pathway.