What is low self-esteem?
This page is about low self-esteem. What it is, where it comes from, and how psychological support at Integro Health can help you build a healthier sense of self in a safe, non-judgemental environment in South West WA.
Low self-esteem is a persistently negative view of yourself: a belief that you are not good enough, not worthy, not capable, or somehow less than other people. It often runs quietly in the background, shaping the choices you make, the way you treat yourself, and what you believe you deserve. It is not vanity to want to feel better about yourself, and low self-esteem is not simply a matter of confidence you can fake. It is a set of deeply held beliefs, and like all beliefs, they can be examined and changed.
Where low self-esteem comes from
The way we see ourselves is largely learned, usually early, from how we were treated, spoken to, and valued by the people and environments around us. A child who was frequently criticised, compared, or made to feel they had to earn love may grow into an adult who believes, at a deep level, that they are not enough as they are. These beliefs can feel like simple facts, but they are conclusions drawn long ago, often by a child doing their best to make sense of things. Low self-esteem commonly sits alongside anxiety, depression, and difficulties in relationships.
What we often see in practice is a harsh inner critic, a voice that judges everything you do and never quite lets you feel you have done enough. That voice usually formed as a way of protecting you, of trying to keep you safe or acceptable. Understanding where it came from, and that it is not telling the truth, is usually where meaningful change begins.
At Integro Health, we help you understand the roots of how you see yourself and, gently, build a fairer and kinder relationship with the person you actually are.
How we work with you on self-esteem
There is no switch that turns self-esteem on, but there is a real, evidence-based path to a steadier sense of worth. What we do is work alongside you, at a pace that feels manageable, using approaches grounded in psychological evidence and shaped by your individual story.
Understanding your experience
Your first sessions are about building a picture of you, not just the pattern, but your history, your relationships, your emotional world, and what you are hoping life might look and feel like. There is no rush here. We ask questions because we genuinely want to understand.
Understanding your inner critic
Together, we get to know the critical voice and the beliefs behind it. What does it say? When did it first appear? What was it trying to protect you from? Understanding that these beliefs were learned, and are not simply the truth, is the beginning of loosening their hold.
Working with the underlying layers
Low self-esteem is usually rooted in early experiences and the beliefs they created about your worth. We work with those roots using approaches like schema therapy and CBT, so we address the source of the pattern, not just its surface effects.
Building new ways of responding
Over time, we help you develop a fairer, more compassionate inner voice and new ways of relating to yourself, so that your sense of worth comes to rest on who you are rather than on what you achieve or what others think.
Ongoing support at the right pace
Change rarely happens in a straight line. Sessions are spaced to suit where you are, more frequent during difficult periods, stepped back as you gain ground. We are here for as long as the journey needs us to be, whether that is a few months or considerably longer.
Meet the Team
At Integro Health, you do not just book a clinic. You choose a practitioner who understands you. Our team of experienced psychotherapists brings clinical depth, genuine warmth, and a broad range of specialisations together under one roof. Take a moment to read about each of our practitioners and find the right fit for where you are right now.
Dr Paul King
General Practitioner
MBBS Bachelor of Medicine/ Bachelor of Surgery
FRACGP Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Jools Fordyce
Social Worker & Family Therapist
Bachelor (Hons) – Applied Social Science with Diploma in Social Work
Postgraduate Diploma in Family and Relationship Therapy
Brooke Eden
Psychologist
Bachelor of Psychology
Graduate Diploma of Education
Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc.
Nicholas Kerr
Psychologist
Masters of Psychology (Organisational)
Bachelor of Arts
Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc.
Carli King
Office Administrator
As Practice Manager, Carli keeps the daily operations of Integro Health running smoothly, ensuring our clients always receive the highest standard of care.
What you can expect when you reach out
No judgement, ever
However harshly you judge yourself, and however long you have felt this way, you will be met with warmth and genuine care. Not a lecture, and not a checklist.
A whole-person lens
We look at every part of you, your mental, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual wellbeing, because how you see yourself touches every part of a person’s life.
Evidence-based approaches
We draw on schema therapy, CBT, and compassion-focused approaches depending on what fits you. Not a one-size protocol, but a genuinely tailored response to your situation.
In-clinic and online options
Whether you can get to our Eaton clinic in Bunbury or you need the privacy and convenience of telehealth, we can work with you wherever you are in South West WA and beyond.
What people get wrong about low self-esteem
One of the most persistent myths about low self-esteem is that you can fix it with positive affirmations, telling yourself you are wonderful until you believe it. For most people that feels hollow and does not stick, because it argues with beliefs without understanding where they came from or what keeps them in place. Lasting change works at a deeper level.
Another misconception is that struggling with self-worth is vanity or self-absorption. It is neither. How you value yourself shapes your relationships, your work, your health, and the risks you feel able to take. Building a fairer sense of self is not indulgent, it is foundational.
We also see many people in South West WA who have achieved a great deal outwardly while feeling like a fraud inside, or who have quietly believed they were not good enough for as long as they can remember, before reaching out. Outward success and low self-esteem often coexist, and neither cancels the other.
Finally, many people assume this is just their personality, something they are stuck with. It is not. Individual therapy and counselling, delivered privately one-on-one at our Eaton clinic near Bunbury or by telehealth to locations like Margaret River, helps you rework beliefs about yourself that were learned and can therefore be changed.
Is what I am experiencing actually low self-esteem?
It is common to wonder whether you have low self-esteem or are simply being realistic about yourself. The honest answer is that the label matters less than the impact.
If a harsh view of yourself is holding you back, feeding anxiety or low mood, affecting your relationships, or stopping you from pursuing things you want, even some of the time, then it is worth exploring with a psychotherapist or counsellor. You do not need to be in crisis, and you do not need a particular reason, to deserve a kinder relationship with yourself.
How low self-esteem shows up
Low self-esteem shows up in many ways, some of them easy to miss:
A harsh inner critic, constant self-judgement, and difficulty accepting compliments or acknowledging your own strengths.
People-pleasing and difficulty with boundaries, putting others first, struggling to say no, or feeling you have to earn your place.
Holding back and self-doubt, avoiding challenges, opportunities, or relationships for fear of failing or not being enough. This often overlaps with anxiety and can drive perfectionism.
At Integro Health, we are not here to judge how you see yourself. What we care about is helping you build a sense of worth that lets you feel well, think clearly, and live the way you want to. You can read more about what the first session looks like here.
Your questions answered
Yes, in many cases. A Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP provides access to a Medicare rebate for up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year with a registered psychologist. Your GP will assess your eligibility, and your sessions at Integro Health can be structured to make the most of those rebated appointments. It is worth speaking with your GP in Bunbury, Busselton, or wherever you are located to get a referral in place before your first session.
Yes. How you value yourself affects almost everything, your relationships, your work, your mood, and the chances you feel able to take. Low self-esteem also feeds anxiety and depression. Working on it is not indulgent, it is one of the most worthwhile things you can do for your overall wellbeing.
Yes. Everything you share in sessions is confidential. There are narrow legal exceptions, for example if there is an immediate risk of serious harm to yourself or another person, but outside of those circumstances your privacy is protected. We will explain these boundaries clearly in your first session so there are no surprises.
Yes. We offer telehealth sessions across South West WA and Australia-wide, which means you can access support from anywhere, whether you are in a regional area like Manjimup or Collie, or simply prefer the privacy of attending from home. Telehealth sessions work in the same structured, safe way as in-clinic appointments.
Because self-esteem is built on beliefs formed over a long time, meaningful change usually unfolds over a number of months rather than a few sessions. That said, many people feel some relief early on, simply from understanding their inner critic differently and being met with genuine acceptance. We review progress with you throughout.
That is a very common and understandable feeling, especially when the critical voice has been there a long time. Part of the work is gently getting to know the person underneath it, your values, strengths, and needs, often for the first time. You will not lose yourself in this process. You will get more of yourself back.
No referral is needed to book a session. If you wish to access Medicare rebates through a Mental Health Treatment Plan, you will need a GP referral first, but you are welcome to contact us directly and we can guide you through that process if needed.
We tailor the approach to you. Schema therapy is particularly valuable because it works directly with the deep beliefs about worth formed early in life. CBT helps you notice and challenge the daily self-critical thoughts. We also draw on compassion-focused approaches to help you build a kinder, steadier relationship with yourself.
Medically reviewed by
General Practitioner
The clinical information on this page has been reviewed for accuracy by Dr Paul King, General Practitioner at Integro Health. It is general information, and not a substitute for personal medical or psychological advice.
