Low self-worth - or low self-esteem - can lead to depression and anxiety and may involve a lack of assertiveness and/or poor problem solving.  On arriving at university or your work place you may feel as though you are an 'impostor' - out of your depth - and that others are so much better than you, though actually many others are thinking the same.  Or you may feel 'different' or lonely or find yourself having to deal with a change of culture and attitudes from those you've been used to.  At the root of all this are often unconscious 'thinking errors', developed over time, often as coping strategies that in the end serve to reinforce a problem rather than solve it.  I can help you understand what is going on, and provide you with the means to change often long-established unhelpful patterns of behaviour and thinking.

Do you seek the approval of others, lacking confidence in your own ability to make decisions or express yourself?  Do you question your own sense of self - who you are, or maybe you are only now discovering more about your sexuality, for example? A series of vicious cycles can become established over time that reinforce your sense of low self-worth (e.g. only feeling good about yourself if praised by others), leading to periods of low mood or much deeper depression. But learning to trust yourself, and to become more in control of your feelings, thoughts and behaviours can turn things around completely and build confidence in yourself. An evaluation of your personal values - what’s important to you in life (and how study or work interfaces with other aspects of life) can be a critical starting point. Cognitive awareness (being aware of your thoughts for what they are), mindfulness, relaxation, assertiveness and problem solving techniques can all help provide you with the means to change.  Self-hypnosis can help build your confidence further.

And see my blog article on ‘Unwritten rules - I should, I must, I need…’