Self-Esteem Therapy in Tampa, St. Petersburg & Sarasota
Do you replay conversations for hours, convinced you said something wrong? Apologize constantly, even when you haven't done anything? Dismiss compliments while obsessing over criticism? Feel like everyone around you has it figured out while you're barely keeping it together? That's low self-esteem, and it's quietly controlling your relationships, your career decisions, and the life you're allowing yourself to live.
Self-doubt isn't a personality trait. It's a pattern, and patterns can be changed. Our therapists in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota specialize in helping professionals, parents, teens, and high-achievers break free from perfectionism, people pleasing, and the belief they're "not enough." Through evidence-based therapies such as CBT, somatic therapy and mindfulness practices, we can help you challenge your inner critic, develop genuine self-worth, and feel confident in who you actually are and who you are becoming.
What Is Self-Esteem Therapy?
Self-esteem therapy is a form of counseling that helps individuals understand and change the internal beliefs, patterns, and emotional responses that shape how they see themselves. Rather than focusing only on behavior or motivation, self-esteem therapy helps you to identify and addresses the root causes of self-doubt, shame, and chronic self-criticism.
Whether you realize it or not, self-esteem or your internal evaluation of yourself is impacting:
How and what boundaries you set
How you view failure or criticism
The relationships, including friendships and romantic partners that you choose
If you choose to advocate for yourself
How you view risks, conflict or challenges and if you avoid them
Low self-esteem is not “who you are” or a personality flaw. It is a learned response, often shaped by early relationships, life experiences, or prolonged stress. The most important thing for you understand is that it can be unlearned, reshaped, and designed.
How Self-Esteem Therapy Works
Self esteem therapy isn’t about positive thinking or forcing confidence. It is an intentional, structured process that helps you develop a healthier and more accurate relationship with yourself.
Therapy often includes:
Exploring early experiences that shaped self-beliefs
Identifying patterns of self-criticism and avoidance
Learning to regulate emotions linked to shame or fear
Practicing new ways of responding internally and relationally
Applying insights to real-life situations, relationships, and decisions
Progress happens gradually and sustainably, not through pressure, but through understanding and practice.
Self-esteem challenges often show up quietly in Tampa, from high expectations at work, pressure to perform, comparison, and the feeling that you should be doing “better” by now. Over time, self-doubt and harsh inner criticism can affect relationships, confidence, and overall well-being.
At It Begins Within, our licensed Tampa therapists provide self-esteem therapy that helps you understand where these patterns began and how to change them. Through evidence-based approaches like CBT, relational therapy, and trauma-informed care, we help clients challenge negative self-talk, build emotional resilience, and develop a more stable sense of self-worth.
We work with adults, teens, and young professionals across South Tampa, Hyde Park, Davis Islands, Westchase, Carrollwood, and surrounding areas who are ready to feel more confident, grounded, and secure in who they are.
Speak with a Self Esteem Therapist in Tampa
Alex Castañeda, LMHC
Alex specializes in helping men overcome low self-esteem and the quiet pressure to “have it all together.” He works with men navigating dating challenges, relationship stress, and marriage concerns—especially when confidence, communication, or self-worth are getting in the way.
Samantha Kindler, RMHCI
Samantha is a Mental Health Counseling Intern specializing in helping women who struggle with low confidence, perfectionism, and relentless self-criticism. She works with clients who feel stuck in cycles of overthinking, people-pleasing, or never feeling “good enough”.
Brianna Garcia, LMHC
Brianna specializes in working with children and teens who are struggling with self-esteem, emotional regulation, and confidence during critical developmental years. She supports young clients navigating school stress, peer relationships, identity development, and self-image.
Self-esteem challenges in St. Petersburg often show up beneath the surface—persistent self-doubt, comparison, perfectionism, or the feeling that you’re falling short despite doing everything “right.” Over time, these internal struggles can impact confidence, relationships, and emotional well-being.
At It Begins Within, our licensed St. Petersburg therapists provide self-esteem therapy that helps clients understand the roots of these patterns and begin changing them. Using evidence-based approaches such as CBT, relational therapy, and trauma-informed care, we help individuals challenge negative self-talk, build emotional resilience, and develop a more grounded sense of self-worth.
We work with adults, teens, and families across St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park, Tyrone, Seminole, and surrounding areas who are ready to feel more confident, secure, and aligned with who they are..
Speak with a Self Esteem Therapist in St. Petersburg
Amanda Farris, LCSW
Amanda specializes in helping women struggling with low confidence, self-criticism, and perfectionism. She integrates somatic techniques to help clients reconnect with their bodies, regulate emotions, and develop a deeper sense of safety and self-worth.
Andreas Balasis, LCSW
Andreas specializes in helping men work through low self-esteem, emotional disconnection, and the pressure to appear strong or “have it all together.” He works with men navigating relationship challenges, identity concerns, and internal self-doubt that can impact confidence and fulfillment.
Megan Midura, LMHC
Megan specializes in working with children and teens who struggle with self-esteem, emotional regulation, and confidence during key developmental stages. She supports young clients navigating school stress, peer relationships, identity development, and self-image challenges.
In Sarasota, self-esteem struggles often develop quietly during periods of transition—changes in health, career direction, family roles, or identity. Many individuals find themselves questioning their worth, confidence, or sense of purpose, even when life appears stable or “put together” on the outside.
At It Begins Within, our Sarasota therapists provide self-esteem therapy that focuses on understanding how life experiences, relationships, and long-standing beliefs shape the way you see yourself. Using evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, relational work, and trauma-informed care, we help clients reduce self-criticism, reconnect with their strengths, and build confidence that feels steady and authentic.
We support adults, teens, and families throughout Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Palmer Ranch, Fruitville, and nearby communities who are ready to develop a healthier relationship with themselves and move forward with greater clarity, self-trust, and emotional balance.
Speak with a Self Esteem Therapist in sarasota
Nicole Young, LCSW
Nicole specializes in working with children and teens who struggle with self-esteem, confidence, and emotional regulation during key developmental years. She supports young clients navigating school stress, peer relationships, identity development, and self-image challenges.
Chelsea Walker, LMFT
Chelsea specializes in helping high achievers and professionals work through workplace-related self-esteem challenges, impostor syndrome, and performance pressure. She supports clients who appear successful on the outside but struggle internally with confidence, boundaries, and self-worth.
Ciana Nguyen, LCSW
Ciana specializes in supporting individuals whose self-esteem has been impacted by chronic illness and ongoing health challenges. She helps clients navigate identity changes, self-worth concerns, and emotional strain that often accompany living with long-term medical conditions.
What Therapy is Best for Self Esteem?
Mental health therapy can play a crucial role in overcoming low self-esteem by helping individuals identify and challenge negative beliefs about themselves, develop healthier ways of thinking, and build a stronger sense of self-worth. Through various therapeutic approaches, individuals can gain the tools and insights needed to reshape their self-image and improve emotional well-being. Signs that you may benefit from therapy to increase self-esteem may include: persistent feelings of inadequacy or self-doubt, difficulty accepting compliments or acknowledging achievements, avoidance of social situations due to fear of judgment, struggles with decision-making and assertiveness, etc.
Benefits of self-esteem therapy include
Increased self-confidence - Clients learn to trust their abilities and value themselves, leading to more positive self-regard.
Improved relationships - As individuals gain confidence and set healthy boundaries, their interpersonal relationships often improve.
Reduced anxiety and depression - Addressing the negative self-perceptions that fuel anxiety and depression can help alleviate symptoms.
Better decision-making - Enhanced self-esteem leads to a clearer sense of self, which can improve choices in various areas of life, from work to relationships.
Enhanced resilience - Strengthened self-worth helps individuals cope more effectively with challenges and setbacks.
Self-esteem therapy in Tampa encourages a healthier and more realistic sense of self, fostering personal growth and emotional wellbeing.
Types of Self-Esteem Therapy We Offer
CBT helps you identify and change negative thoughts and behaviors to build a more positive self-view.
Person-Centered Therapy
Offers a supportive environment to explore your feelings and build self-acceptance through empathy and understanding.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
teaches you to observe your thoughts and feelings without judgment, fostering self-compassion and reducing negative self-talk.
Self-Compassion Therapy
encourages you to treat yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a friend, reducing self-criticism and feelings of unworthiness.
ACT helps you accept your thoughts and feelings while guiding you to act in ways that align with your values and true self.
Narrative Therapy
Narrative Therapy helps you rewrite your personal story to highlight strengths and achievements, reshaping how you see yourself.
Statistics on Self Esteem Across Florida
At IBW we offer expert self-esteem therapy to children and adults across Tampa, St. Petersburg, and the greater Tampa Bay area. Within our practice we’ve found the need for self-esteem support has continued to grow.
Facts about self-esteem
The American Psychological Association (APA) reports that 31% of U.S. adults aged 25–44 experience significant stress affecting their self-worth, a struggle shared by many in the Tampa Bay region. Source: APA
In Florida, a 2023 Mental Health America survey found that 19.5% of adults report frequent feelings of inadequacy or low self-esteem, higher than the national average, impacting lives from Tampa to St. Pete. Source: MHA
A 2018 study in Journal of Clinical Psychology found that cognitive-behavioral therapy for low self-esteem significantly improved self-worth in 68% of participants after just 10 sessions, offering proof that help works for those who are ready. Source: *Journal of Clinical Psychology*
These numbers echo what we see every day within our Tampa practice. Low self-esteem can weigh on your mental health, relationships, and daily life. You’re not alone in feeling this way, and with evidence-based self-esteem therapy, real change is possible. Whether you’re in St. Petersburg seeking confidence or in South Tampa aiming to quiet that inner critic, our skilled therapists are here to support you every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Self Esteem Therapy
Is self-esteem therapy worth it?
Absolutely. Low self-esteem affects nearly every part of life—relationships, work, parenting, and mental health. Therapy gives you the tools to identify negative thought patterns, rebuild inner trust, and feel more confident in who you are. At IBWHC, many clients say therapy helped them show up more fully in every area of life.
How long does therapy take to improve self-esteem?
While every client is different, many start noticing shifts in their self-perception within 6 to 12 sessions. Long-standing patterns may take longer, especially if connected to childhood experiences or trauma. We tailor each plan based on your goals—whether you’re looking for a reset or deeper transformation.
Can my spouse attend sessions with me?
Yes, in some cases. If low self-esteem is impacting your relationship, couples sessions can be a powerful way to build understanding and connection. We also offer marriage and couples counseling as a standalone service, helping both partners learn how to support each other’s emotional growth.
What do self-esteem therapy sessions include?
Sessions typically involve exploring the roots of your inner dialogue, identifying patterns of self-criticism, and practicing skills to build self-compassion and confidence. Depending on your needs, we may use CBT, EMDR, mindfulness, or narrative therapy techniques.
Do you offer virtual therapy for Hillsborough & Pinellas counties?
Yes! We offer secure, HIPAA-compliant teletherapy for clients across Tampa, St. Petersburg, and all of Florida. Virtual sessions are a great option for busy professionals, parents, or anyone seeking flexible, high-quality care from home.
Schedule Free Consultation for Confidence Counseling
We offer comprehensive mental health services and free consultations for all of our skilled therapists. If you are looking for the top youth sports psychologist near me, you’ve found the right place.