A collaborative space to look at how you see and speak to yourself, at a pace you set. Psychologists registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP). Registered Psychologists, Registered Provisional Psychologists, Registered Social Workers regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) and counsellors (CCCs) certified by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). In person in Edmonton and St. Albert and virtual sessions available across Alberta.

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You Might Be Wondering Whether Self-Esteem Counselling Is Right for You

You may be wondering whether the way you feel about yourself is a real reason to talk to someone. It can seem too ordinary, or like something you should be able to sort out on your own. Maybe you have told yourself that other people have it worse.

Still, some patterns are hard to shake. You might replay a conversation for hours, looking for what you said wrong. A compliment may slide right off while one critical comment stays with you for days. Or you might hold back an idea at work, or say yes when you mean no, because disappointing someone feels worse than being overlooked.

Patterns like these are common responses to the pressures and messages people live with. They are not character flaws. Experiences that shape self-esteem differ from person to person, and these patterns do not mean something is permanently wrong with you.

If you are curious what this kind of support looks like, the sections below may help you decide. You might also be reading for a teenager, partner or friend. Or you may already know you want to book and just need the practical details. This page is written with each of those starting points in mind.

Who We Help

Self-esteem counselling may be a good fit if you:

• Notice frequent self-criticism, comparison with others, or uncertainty about your abilities or worth
• Find it hard to accept compliments or recognize your strengths
• Struggle with perfectionism, people-pleasing or a fear of making mistakes
• Have felt your confidence shift during a life change, such as a new job, school, a relationship change, parenthood, a health change or a loss
• Want to understand how past messages or experiences have shaped the way you see yourself
• Are a parent or caregiver with concerns about a child or teen (see Children and Youth below)

This service may not be the right fit, or the right first step, if:

• You are in crisis or cannot stay safe right now. Please use the crisis resources below.
• You need a legal, court or forensic report. Those needs are outside this counselling service.
• You are looking for a formal diagnosis or psychological assessment. Psychological assessments are a separate service and are not part of self-esteem counselling.

If you are reading for an adult in your life, you are welcome to share this page with them. Adults decide for themselves whether to start counselling. The admin team can answer general questions at 780-904-4880.

Crisis Guidance

Counselling is not set up to respond to emergencies. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, or you feel unable to stay safe, please reach out now:

• Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department
• Alberta Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-2642 (24/7)
• 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 988 (24/7)
• Family Violence Info Line (Alberta): 310-1818 (24/7, toll-free), if you are being hurt, threatened or controlled at home or in a relationship

Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service.

What This Service Is

Self-esteem counselling is talk therapy focused on how you evaluate, speak to and relate to yourself. It is not about forcing positive thinking or reaching a set level of confidence. Sessions offer a structured, collaborative space to explore your experiences, values, patterns and goals.

Self-esteem concerns can be a useful topic to explore in counselling. In the ICD-11 classification, "low self-esteem" is listed as a descriptive term among symptoms or signs (World Health Organization [WHO], n.d.). On their own, self-esteem concerns are not a diagnosis. Your therapist does not need to label your experience to begin a thoughtful conversation with you.

What this service is not:

• It is not a legal service, an investigation or crisis intervention.
• It does not include a psychological assessment or diagnosis. Assessments are a separate service.
• It does not go beyond each clinician's scope of practice. If broader mental health concerns are part of what you are experiencing, your clinician can discuss appropriate support and referrals where needed.

You set the pace. You decide what to talk about and when, and you can say no to any topic. What you share is confidential, with some legal limits that your clinician will explain at the start (see Confidentiality and Privacy below).

This page provides general information about counselling for self-esteem concerns. It is not a diagnosis, assessment, or substitute for individualized professional care.

Signs Self-Esteem Concerns May Be Affecting You

Self-esteem concerns rarely look the same in two people. Some people notice frequent self-criticism, comparison, or uncertainty about their abilities or worth. Other patterns you might recognize include:

• An inner voice that points out every mistake, even small ones
• Comparing yourself with others and usually coming up short
• Brushing off compliments or crediting luck for things you did well
• Feeling that you have to be perfect to be acceptable
• Putting other people's needs first so often that your own get lost
• Passing on opportunities because trying and failing feels too risky
• Second-guessing decisions or holding back from saying what you need
• Feeling tense or drained before situations where you expect to be judged

These examples are not a checklist or a diagnosis. They are common reactions to the experiences and messages a person has lived with, and they do not mean something is permanently wrong with you. Counselling may offer space to look at these patterns with curiosity rather than criticism.

How Treatment Works Here

• Find your therapist. Use the Match with a Therapist tool or read clinician profiles on Our Therapists. If you would like help choosing, call the admin team at 780-904-4880. They can help identify current options based on your preferences and availability.
• Book your first session. You can book online through our booking system. The first session covers consent, confidentiality and its limits, and what you hope to get from counselling. You can ask questions before you share anything personal.
• Build your plan together. You and your therapist co-create a plan that reflects your goals, preferences and circumstances. Depending on your goals and the fit with your clinician, sessions may draw on different therapy approaches. You can always ask why a particular approach is being suggested. You can read more about our unique approach to care.
• Ongoing sessions. Sessions are 50 minutes. Follow-up timing is discussed collaboratively and is often weekly or bi-weekly, depending on your needs and availability.
• Progress check-ins. Your therapist reviews progress with you regularly. The plan can change as your needs change.

There is no fixed number of sessions. Counselling is collaborative, and your voice matters at every stage, including decisions about pace, focus and when to finish. For more on the process, see Getting Started with Therapy.

Evidence and Approaches

We aim to describe research honestly, which means saying what the sources reviewed for this page do and do not show. The research available for this page is limited. Where findings were not available, we say so rather than fill the gap with general claims.

In Canada, Statistics Canada reports on self-esteem among people aged 12 and over (Statistics Canada, n.d.). The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) also publishes a resource on promoting positive mental health (PHAC, n.d.). This page does not quote figures from either source.

Talk Therapy (Psychotherapy)

What it helps with: Talk therapy offers a structured space to explore how you evaluate yourself, the patterns around that, and the goals that matter to you.

Evidence summary: A systematic review and meta-analysis has examined the effect of psychotherapy for adult depression on self-esteem ("Effect of Psychotherapy for Adult Depression on Self-Esteem," n.d.). Its detailed findings were not available in the evidence reviewed for this page. For that reason, we make no claim here about how much talk therapy changes self-esteem, or for whom.

Limitations: The review looked at adults receiving therapy for depression, which may not reflect everyone who seeks support for self-esteem concerns. Responses to therapy vary from person to person.

Your clinician can talk with you about the approaches they use and the reasoning behind them.

What Results to Expect

Change in how you see yourself is rarely a straight line. Some weeks may feel like progress, and others may feel like old habits are back. That is a common part of counselling, not a sign that it has failed.

Some people notice shifts in how they respond to themselves fairly early. Others find that longer-term work suits them better. Outcomes vary, and no therapy can guarantee a particular result.

What happens for you may depend on many things. These include what you have lived through, what is going on in your life now, and the fit between you and your therapist.

Fit matters. If the connection with your therapist does not feel right, you can change therapists or talk about trying a different approach. Raising this is a normal part of counselling.

Confidentiality and Privacy

What you share in counselling is confidential, within the legal limits described below. Psychologists at Wholesome Psychology are regulated by CAP and follow the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists. Other clinicians follow the standards of their own regulatory bodies.

Depending on the setting, your personal and health information is protected under Alberta's Health Information Act (HIA) or Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). These laws set rules for how information is collected, used, stored and shared.

Confidentiality has legal and ethical limits. Your clinician may need to share information without your consent when:

• There is a serious and imminent risk of harm to you or someone else
• There is reason to believe a child is being abused or neglected (mandatory reporting under Alberta's Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act)
• A court order requires it

Your clinician will review consent, privacy, confidentiality and these limits with you in your first session. You are welcome to ask questions about any of it before sharing anything personal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to talk about my past or describe painful experiences in detail?

No. You decide what to share and when. Many people start with what is happening now, such as how they talk to themselves after a mistake. If you want to look at earlier experiences, your therapist can help you do that at a pace that feels manageable.

Is what I share kept private?

Yes, within legal limits. Your information is protected under Alberta's HIA or PIPA, depending on the setting. Exceptions include a serious and imminent risk of harm, suspected abuse or neglect of a child, and a court order. Your clinician explains these limits in your first session, and the Confidentiality and Privacy section above has more detail.

How many sessions will I need?

There is no set number. Some people come for a shorter period to work on a specific concern, while others prefer longer-term support. You and your therapist review progress regularly and decide together whether to continue, change focus or finish.

What if my therapist is not the right fit?

Fit matters, and it is okay to want a different match. You can tell your therapist directly, or contact the admin team at 780-904-4880 to find another clinician. New clients may access their first session at 50% off to help find the right therapeutic fit.

Can I do self-esteem counselling online?

Yes. Virtual sessions are available across Alberta, and the same confidentiality standards apply. Availability depends on the clinician, so ask when booking or read more about online counselling.

Is low self-esteem a diagnosis?

No. Self-esteem concerns are not, by themselves, a diagnosis, and this service does not include a psychological assessment. If broader mental health concerns are part of what you are experiencing, a clinician can discuss appropriate support and referrals where needed.

What if someone in my life regularly puts me down or controls me?

Your safety comes first. If you are being hurt, threatened or controlled, the Family Violence Info Line (Alberta) is available 24/7 at 310-1818, and you can call 911 in an emergency. Counselling can still be a place to talk about what is happening, and your therapist can help you think through safety and support. You do not have to leave a situation before reaching out.

Can I get support for my teenager or partner?

If you have concerns about a child or teen, see Children and Youth below. Adults choose for themselves whether to start counselling, so sharing information like this page is often the most respectful first step with a partner. If supporting someone is weighing on you, you are welcome to book sessions for yourself.

Meet Your Clinicians

Our team includes Registered Psychologists, Registered Provisional Psychologists, Registered Social Workers, Canadian Certified Counsellors, Mental Health Therapists and Student Therapists. All psychologists are registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists. Registered Provisional Psychologists practise under the supervision of a senior registered psychologist.

Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW). Student Therapists are master's-level practicum students and offer a reduced-rate option.

Each clinician has their own areas of focus, and availability changes over time. Our Therapists lists current profiles, and the Match with a Therapist tool can help narrow your options. You can also call the admin team at 780-904-4880 for guidance.

Children and Youth

Self-esteem is not only an adult concern. Statistics Canada's reporting on self-esteem includes young people from age 12 (Statistics Canada, n.d.).

Wholesome Psychology offers counselling for children, adolescents and young people. Therapists who work with younger clients use age-appropriate approaches and work with parents and caregivers to support the young person at home. You can learn more on our child and youth self-esteem counselling page.

Taking a Next Step

If you would like to explore counselling for self-esteem concerns, you can start in whichever way feels easiest:

• Book a session online
• Match with a therapist
• Call the admin team at 780-904-4880
• Email info@wholesomepsychology.ca
• Read Getting Started with Therapy to see what to expect

Starting the conversation is enough.

New clients may access their first session at 50% off to help find the right therapeutic fit.

References

• Effect of psychotherapy for adult depression on self-esteem: A systematic review and meta-analysis. (n.d.).
• Public Health Agency of Canada. (n.d.). Promoting positive mental health. Government of Canada.
• Statistics Canada. (n.d.). Self-esteem, by age group and sex, household population aged 12 and over, Canada and provinces [Data table].
• World Health Organization. (n.d.). ICD-11 for mortality and morbidity statistics.