An exercise designed to help children and young people explore their self-beliefs, and to understand how they are formed through life experiences.
Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
Includes client-friendly guidance. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
An editable Microsoft PowerPoint version of the resource.
What Do People Think About Themselves? is a thought-provoking exercise focusing on self-esteem and self-beliefs in children and young people. It facilitates discussions around children's perceptions of themselves, and provides a platform for young people to explore connections between personal experiences and self-beliefs. This resource is particularly useful for introducing the concept of self-esteem.
Low self-esteem is not a formal diagnostic label in the DSM or ICD, but remains a significant psychological concern that is linked with various mental health issues.
Negative sense of self without a formal diagnostic label.
Where adverse life experiences have affected self-image.
Present the exercise as a conversation starter to explore self-beliefs.
Use the suggested questions to engage children in considering how experiences shape self-perception.
Encourage reflection on personal experiences and the development of beliefs about the self.
Guide clients to understand the fairness and accuracy of their self-summaries.
Provide a safe space to discuss and re-evaluate negative self-perceptions.
The cognitive behavioral framework underpins this exercise, emphasizing the role of experiences in shaping self-beliefs. Negative self-beliefs are self-reinforcing, influencing perceptions, thoughts, and emotions. By understanding and challenging these beliefs, clients can develop healthier cognitive patterns. Discussions around these themes should be empathetic and patient, with attention to the coherence between experiences and personal identity narratives.
