Can therapy help with low self-esteem and self-worth?

Yes. Self-esteem therapy can help you understand why self-doubt and self-criticism developed, and why they have stayed so persistent. Over time, many people notice the inner critic becomes less convincing, mistakes feel less shameful, and it becomes easier to show up more authentically in relationships.

What causes low self-esteem in adults?

Low self-esteem often develops in environments where love, approval, or safety felt conditional. This can include criticism, emotional neglect, bullying, or family dynamics where being easy, high-achieving, or not a burden felt necessary to maintain connection.

Is having a harsh inner critic the same as low self-esteem?

They are closely related. Many people with low self-esteem notice a strong inner critic that pressures them to be perfect, avoid mistakes, or earn approval. In therapy, we explore what that voice is trying to protect you from and how to change your relationship with it over time.

How long does self-esteem therapy take?

It depends on your goals and the patterns you have been living with. Many people notice early shifts within the first few months, such as more awareness, less spiralling, and clearer boundaries. Deeper change tends to unfold gradually as your mind and body learn that expressing needs, setting boundaries, and being imperfect can still be safe.

Do you offer self-esteem therapy online in Ontario and BC?

Yes. I am Aida Retta, a Registered Psychotherapist with the CRPO in Ontario and a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BCACC in British Columbia. I provide secure virtual therapy across Ontario and British Columbia.

You don't have to work so hard to feel good enough.

Self-esteem therapy for when you look capable on the outside, but feel anxious, self-critical, or not good enough underneath.

Book a Free 30-min Intro Call

✓ Phone + video ✓ Current openings ✓ Evenings + weekends

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Therapy for Low Self-Esteem in Surrey, BC and Ontario

Online therapy across Ontario & BC

Aïda Retta (she/her) Registered Psychotherapist &
Registered Clinical Counsellor RCC, RP

Feeling like you are not good enough is painful.

Other people may see you as caring, thoughtful, or confident. But underneath, you're carrying the heavy feeling that you're not good enough.

These feelings can show up in everyday ways:

You doubt your choices.

Compliments are hard to believe.

You worry about letting people down.

You compare yourself to other people.

You say yes when you want to say no.

You're hard on yourself.

If this sounds like you, you've probably been carrying this for a long time.

Low self-esteem can quietly shape your whole life.

It can make it hard to know what you want or to ask for what you need. This can affect your work, your choices, and your relationships.

Unbalanced Relationships

You stay quiet when something is wrong, accept less than you need, or feel like you can never put yourself first.

Anxiety & Overthinking

You may replay conversations, doubt your choices, or feel like your mistakes are proof that you are not enough.

Holding yourself back

You might worry a lot about what others think, making you hold yourself back from what you really want.

Hi, I’m Aïda 👋 Reaching out can feel hard, but you don't need to know exactly what to say. We can start with what hurts right now and take it from there.

Book a Free 30-Minute Intro Call

✓ Phone or video ✓ Current openings available ✓ Evening and weekend options

Therapy can help you trust yourself and take up more space.

Therapy is not about turning you into someone else. It is about helping you feel safer being yourself.

Say no without hours of guilt.

Make choices without asking everyone first.

Let kind words sink in.

Make a mistake without feeling ashamed.

Say what you think and feel.

Feel safer and more equal in relationships.

These changes take time. But little by little, you can feel less ruled by fear and more connected to your own voice.

You do not have to show up perfectly here.

I’m Aïda. I work with people who are used to watching themselves, saying the right thing, and worrying about how other people see them.

You do not need to explain everything perfectly or know where to begin. I will help guide the conversation, slow things down when you feel stuck, and gently share what I notice.

You are allowed to disagree with me, ask questions, or tell me when something does not feel right. Those moments are not a problem. They can become part of the work.

My goal is for therapy to become a place where you can be more honest, take up more space, and feel less afraid of being too much.

Here is what therapy with me may look like.

We will not rush to fix you. We will slow things down, make sense of what is happening, and help you try something new.

Notice the pattern

We look at the moments when you go quiet, doubt yourself, or say yes when you want to say no.

Understand what is driving it

We make room for the fear, shame, or old beliefs that keep the pattern going.

Try something new

We practise speaking more honestly, setting limits, and staying connected to yourself when things feel hard.

We will move at a pace that feels manageable while still making room for real change.

Choose the Therapy Format That Works Best for You.

I offer in-person self-esteem therapy from my South Surrey office, as well as online therapy for clients across British Columbia and Ontario.

In-person therapy in Surrey

Meet in a private, comfortable office on Croydon Drive in South Surrey.

Online therapy across BC and Ontario

Attend sessions securely by video from a space that feels comfortable and private.

Office: 15350 Croydon Dr, Suite 201, Office 15, Surrey, BC

Therapy room at InRelation Psychotherapy in Surrey, BC

Getting started is simple.

Book a free 30-minute Intro Call

Choose a phone or video time that works for you.
Tell me what has been hard

You do not need to prepare or explain everything perfectly.
See if the fit feels right

If it does, we can book your first therapy session.

Book a Free 30-Minute Intro Call

Phone or video · Current openings available

Potted plant beside an InRelation Psychotherapy card

Common questions about self-esteem therapy.

Can therapy help with low self-esteem?

Yes. Therapy can help you understand your self-doubt, notice how it shapes your life, and learn new ways to respond.

What if I have felt this way for years?

Change can still happen. Long-held patterns often need time, support, and steady practice.

What if I do not know what to say?

You do not need to know exactly what to say. I can help guide the conversation, and we can start with what feels easiest.

Do you offer online self-esteem therapy?

Yes. I offer in-person therapy in Surrey, BC, and online therapy across British Columbia and Ontario.

What happens during a free consultation?

We talk about what has been hard, what you hope will change, and whether working together feels like a good fit.

You do not have to keep proving your worth.

Therapy can help you feel more sure of yourself, more honest about what you need, and less ruled by fear and self-doubt.

Book a Free 30-Minute Consultation

In-person self-esteem therapy in Surrey, BC. Online therapy across Ontario and British Columbia.