Low self-esteem
Low self-esteem is more than a lack of confidence. It’s a deeper, internal sense of not feeling good enough, not feeling worthy, or believing there is something wrong with you.
Confidence can shift depending on the situation. Self-esteem tends to sit underneath it all, shaping how you see yourself and your place in the world – in your relationships, your work, and the choices you make.
As a psychotherapist and counsellor working online and in East London, I often find that women don’t come in saying “I have low self-esteem”. Instead, it shows up in quieter, more familiar ways.
You might notice constant overthinking or rumination. A sense that you can’t switch off. Doubting yourself in relationships, or struggling to trust your own decisions. You may feel disconnected, lost, or like you’ve somehow ended up in a life that doesn’t quite feel like yours.
Underneath this, there can be a feeling of being stuck, low self-worth, or a sense that something about you isn’t quite right.
Where this comes from
From what I see in my work, these patterns often have roots in earlier experiences – particularly where there has been emotional neglect, trauma, or attachment issues.
If your emotional needs weren’t fully seen or responded to growing up, you may have adapted in ways that made sense at the time. Over time, this can lead to deeply held beliefs such as “I’m not worthy”, “I don’t matter” or “I have to earn love.”
Even if part of you knows these beliefs aren’t true, they can still shape how you relate to yourself and others – often outside of awareness.
How I work
My approach to psychotherapy and talk therapy is gentle, relational, and grounded in both mind and body.
I integrate Lifespan Integration and somatic therapy to support nervous system regulation, helping your body begin to register that the past is over. This allows us to work with childhood wounds, trauma, PTSD or CPTSD without overwhelming you.
Alongside this, I draw on ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) to help you step out of rumination and relate differently to difficult thoughts and feelings, so you can move towards a life that feels more aligned and meaningful.
What begins to shift
Over time, many clients notice a growing sense of steadiness.
Less overthinking. More clarity. A stronger connection to yourself and your needs. It can become easier to set boundaries, to feel more grounded in relationships, and to move away from patterns that have kept you stuck.
Most importantly, there can be a shift in how you experience yourself – from feeling not enough, to beginning to feel more at ease in who you are.