Understanding Low Self-Esteem

An accessible and informative guide to understanding low self-esteem, written specifically for clients.

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Guide (PDF)

A psychoeducational guide. Typically containing elements of skills development.

Overview

Our ‘Understanding…’ series is a collection of psychoeducation guides for common mental health conditions. Friendly and explanatory, they are comprehensive sources of information for your clients. Concepts are explained in an easily digestible way, with plenty of case examples and accessible diagrams. Understanding Low Self-Esteem is designed to help clients with low self-esteem understand more about their condition.

Why Use This Resource?

This guide aims to help clients learn more about low self-esteem. It explains what low self-esteem is, what the common signs and symptoms are, and effective ways to address it, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Identify signs of low self-esteem and the factors that contribute to it.
Understand what keeps low self-esteem going.
Explore effective treatments for low self-esteem.
Gain insights into how people experience low self-esteem and how they overcome it.

Key Benefits

Comprehensive

Explores what anorexia nervosa low self-esteem is and what maintains it.

Relatable

Contains detailed examples and relatable case studies.

Supportive

Written in a friendly and accessible manner.

Hopeful

Outlines effective treatment options.

Who is this for?

Low Self-Esteem

Designed to help clients understand and learn more about low self-esteem.

Integrating it into your practice

Assess

Identify clients who may be experiencing low self-esteem.

Provide the guide to clients who could benefit from it.

Educate

Use the content to inform clients about low self-esteem and help normalize their experiences.

Reflect

Discuss the client's personal experience with low self-esteem.

Intervene

Plan treatment with the client or direct them to other sources of help and support.

Theoretical Background & Therapist Guidance

Low self-esteem refers to holding a persistently negative view of oneself or not valuing oneself highly. Clients with low self-esteem may experience social anxiety or low mood, hold beliefs that they are incapable or inadequate, and engage in harsh self-criticism. While some individuals recognize that they judge themselves unfairly, others may view their negative self-beliefs as absolute truths.

Low self-esteem is a common difficulty and can increase vulnerability to a range of other mental health problems, including depression and anxiety. Encouragingly, there are evidence-based psychological interventions that can help clients to improve their self-esteem and develop a more balanced view of themselves.

What's inside

Introduction to low self-esteem.
Guidance for introducing and using the resource with clients.
Key references for learning more about low self-esteem.

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FAQs

Low self-esteem is a negative evaluation of oneself, characterized by feelings of worthlessness, inadequacy, and self-doubt, which can affect emotions, behavior, and relationships.

Important maintenance factors often include negative self-beliefs, self-criticism, and unhelpful patterns of behavior.

CBT is an effective therapy that focuses on addressing maladaptive thoughts and behaviors that maintain low self-esteem.

How This Resource Improves Clinical Outcomes

By using this resource in their clinical practice, therapists can:

Identify individuals who may be experiencing low self-esteem.
Help clients better understand their difficulties and what maintains them.
Explore treatment options.
Encourage hope and optimism about change.

References And Further Reading

Silverstone, P. H., & Salsali, M. (2003). Low self-esteem and psychiatric patients: Part I–The relationship between low self-esteem and psychiatric diagnosis. Annals of General Hospital Psychiatry, 2(1), 1-9.
Kolubinski, D. C., Frings, D., Nikčević, A. V., Lawrence, J. A., & Spada, M. M. (2018). A systematic review and meta-analysis of CBT interventions based on the Fennell model of low self-esteem. Psychiatry Research, 267, 296-305.
Fennell, M. J. (1997). Low self-esteem: A cognitive perspective. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 25(1), 1-26.
Padesky, C. A. (1990). Schema as self-prejudice. International Cognitive Therapy Newsletter, 6(1), 6-7.
Korrelboom, K. (2015). COMET voor negatief zelfbeeld: competitive memory training bij lage zelfwaardeing en negatief zelfbeeld. Bohn Stafleu van Loghum.
Whelan, A., Haywood, P ., & Galloway, S. (2007). Low self‐esteem: group cognitive behaviour therapy. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 35(2), 125-130.
Morton, L., Roach, L., Reid, H., & Stewart, S. H. (2012). An evaluation of a CBT group for women with low self-esteem. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 40(2), 221-225.
Waite, P., McManus, F., & Shafran, R. (2012). Cognitive behaviour therapy for low self-esteem: A preliminary randomized controlled trial in a primary care setting. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 43(4), 1049-1057.
Korrelboom, K., van der Weele, K., Gjaltema, M., & Hoogstraten, C. (2009). Competitive memory training for treating low self-esteem: A pilot study in a routine clinical setting. The Behavior Therapist, 32(1), 3–8.
Korrelboom, K., Maarsingh, M., & Huijbrechts, I. (2012). Competitive Memory Training (COMET) for treating Low Self‐Esteem in Patients with Depressive Disorders: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Depression and Anxiety, 29(2), 102-110.
Korrelboom, K., Marissen, M., & van Assendelft, T. (2011). Competitive memory training (COMET) for low self-esteem in patients with personality disorders: A randomized effectiveness study. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 39(1), 1-19.

Unified Protocol For Transdiagnostic Treatment Of Emotional Disorders In Adolescents

Understanding Low Self-Esteem

Download or send

Guide (PDF)

Overview

Why Use This Resource?