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Common Symptoms of Low Self-Esteem and How Therapy Can Help

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Are You Struggling with Low Self-Worth?

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If you’re experiencing several of the following on a regular basis, therapy for self-esteem may be the support you need:

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  • Constantly comparing yourself to others

  • Feeling easily jealous or envious

  • Being overly self-critical

  • Focusing on your weaknesses and ignoring your strengths

  • Struggling to accept compliments

  • Frequently feeling sad, angry, ashamed, or worthless

  • Withdrawing from social situations

  • Seeking validation or approval from others

  • Blaming yourself for things that go wrong

  • Over-apologizing

  • Having difficulty making decisions or asserting yourself

  • Struggling to set boundaries

  • Seeing life through a pessimistic lens

  • Avoiding challenges for fear of failure

  • Engaging in perfectionistic behaviors

  • Battling negative body image

  • Making poor health or lifestyle choices

  • Thinking “I don’t like myself”

 

You're Not Alone—and You’re Not Broken

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Low self-esteem can affect every part of life, from relationships and career to how you speak to yourself in quiet moments. Many women suffer in silence, believing they just have to "try harder" to feel better. But healing self-worth doesn’t come from pushing through—it comes from compassionate, intentional change.

 

A Supportive and Strengths-Based Approach

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I specialize in counseling women who struggle with low self-worth, self-doubt, and harsh inner criticism. My style is warm, supportive, and straightforward. I’ll help you challenge the internal narratives that keep you stuck and reconnect with your strengths, values, and sense of self.

 

How Therapy Can Help You Rebuild Confidence

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As an integrative therapist, I tailor treatment to your unique needs. Depending on your goals, we may draw from:

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  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – to identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – to help you move forward with clarity and purpose

  • Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) – to quiet the inner critic and build self-kindness

  • Strengths-Based Therapy – to help you rediscover and use your inner resources

  • Psychoeducation – to better understand how self-esteem is shaped and how it can change

  • Holistic Therapy – to support your mind-body connection and emotional well-being

 

Healing the Whole You

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As a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, I’ve received specialized training in whole-person care. That means I work with all of you—your mind, body, emotions, and lived experience. Together, we’ll create a space where healing is possible and self-worth can be rebuilt—not by becoming someone else, but by reconnecting with who you already are.

Therapy and Counseling for Women _ Praus Guidance & Healing _ Samantha Praus _ Minneapolis

Therapy for Low Self-Esteem and Self-Doubt

Compassionate therapy for women who feel like they’re always falling short.

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You often find it hard to keep up with what you—and those around you—expect you to be doing with your life. Comparing yourself to friends, family, or co-workers has become a constant, leaving you feeling like you’re never quite enough. You believe you should be achieving more, and seeing others’ successes only deepens your insecurity and self-doubt.

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You’re tired of feeling this way—exhausted by the endless cycle of never feeling good enough.

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I understand, and I’m here to help.

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Together, we can work to break free from these self-defeating thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. I’ll support you in managing low self-esteem in ways that are compassionate and empowering, so you can begin to build genuine confidence and embrace your true worth.

Common Roots of Low Self-Esteem

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Low self-esteem often develops from experiences that make us question our worth, value, or belonging. These early influences can shape how we see ourselves—and how we relate to the world. Here are some common factors that may contribute to low self-esteem:

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  • Pressure to meet unrealistic beauty standards

  • Social and cultural expectations around success, identity, or behavior

  • Academic struggles or feeling "not smart enough"

  • Bullying or social rejection without adequate support

  • Experiencing trauma, neglect, or abuse

  • Emotionally distant or unavailable caregivers

  • Receiving frequent disapproval or feeling like you could never measure up

  • Harsh criticism from parents, teachers, or authority figures

  • Long-term exposure to stressful or overwhelming life situations

 

In therapy, we’ll gently explore the origins of your self-esteem struggles and begin building a more compassionate, grounded sense of self—one that isn’t based on perfection or performance, but rooted in your inherent worth.

Evidence-Based Approaches for Building Self-Esteem

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) & Strengths-Based Therapy

 

To support individuals struggling with low self-esteem, I use a blend of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Strengths-Based Therapy. These evidence-based approaches empower you to challenge the negative self-perceptions that hold you back and develop a more compassionate and confident relationship with yourself.

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How These Approaches Can Help

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Each of these approaches offers unique benefits:

  • CBT helps you recognize and shift unhelpful thought patterns that fuel self-criticism and doubt.

  • ACT encourages acceptance of difficult thoughts and feelings while committing to actions aligned with your values.

  • Strengths-Based Therapy helps you identify and build on your existing strengths, increasing resilience and self-worth.

 

Together, these approaches allow us to explore how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are interconnected, and how they may be reinforcing low self-esteem. Through our work, you’ll learn strategies to gain greater emotional awareness, regulate self-critical thinking, and respond to challenges in ways that support your mental and emotional well-being.

 

The ultimate goal is to help you break free from self-defeating cycles and develop self-esteem that feels grounded, healthy, and sustainable.

If you are ready to take the next step, I invite you to connect with me. I offer a free 15-minute phone or video consultation so you can get a feel for whether I am a good fit for your unique needs.

 

If you’re interested in learning more, contact me. I'd love to help you get started!

Praus Guidance & Healing

Stress & Anxiety Therapy for Women in Minnesota

Online Therapy Services for Women Across Minnesota

​Praus Guidance & Healing proudly supports women throughout Minnesota with convenient virtual therapy. Whether you’re in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Edina, Rochester, Duluth, or smaller communities like Eden Prairie, Hopkins, Chanhassen, or Waconia, help is just a click away. Wherever you are in the state, I’m here to provide compassionate, professional care tailored to your needs.

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Quick Links

Meet Samantha  |  ​Specialties  |  Fees & FAQs  |  Blog  |  Contact Me

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Contact Information

Praus Guidance & Healing
Minneapolis, MN 55437

507-668-1200

samantha@prausguidanceandhealing.com​

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