Self Esteem

Self-esteem can be defined as the way in which the body experiences itself based on historical treatment. A child cannot yet hold a complex understanding of its own mind and that of another simultaneously. Instead, the child absorbs the behaviour and emotions of the adults around them, experiencing their behaviour as their own. Self-esteem is the felt sense of how we occupy our own bodies. If a child is ignored, not adequately attuned to, abused, or disrespected, the child internalises this treatment as a reflection of their worth. This is how self-esteem is formed.

Good, targeted therapy can help an adult understand this dynamic and rewrite the wiring of their body, moving from a negative sense of self to a positive one. Sometimes, negative self-esteem can be compensated for through self-inflation, often described as narcissism.

Effective therapy is about acceptance and reframing, not inflating or pretending. We integrate our suffering and turn it into learning and, eventually, wisdom. Good self-esteem is balanced self-awareness coupled with a felt sense of this balance. At Integrative Psychology & Medicine our goal is to help you achieve a positive sense of self and balanced self-awareness. Let us support you on your journey toward greater self-esteem and personal fulfillment.