Low self-esteem underpins many of the mental health difficulties that bring people to psychology — including depression, anxiety, relationship problems, and burnout. Improving self-esteem is one of the most impactful and lasting changes psychological therapy can produce.
Our registered psychologists in Melbourne provide evidence-based treatment for low self-esteem across four clinic locations and via Telehealth.
WorkCover, NDIS or TAC approved? YOU PAY NOTHING.
If your claim has been approved, we bill your funder directly. Zero out-of-pocket cost — no gap, no upfront payment, nothing.
Self-esteem refers to the overall evaluation a person makes of their own worth — a global sense of being ‘good enough’, lovable, and competent. Low self-esteem involves persistently negative core beliefs about the self that are held with conviction despite contradicting evidence (Fennell, 1997).
Low self-esteem presents in many ways:
Low self-esteem can affect life in many ways:
Low self-esteem is strongly associated with elevated risk of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and interpersonal difficulties across the lifespan (Sowislo & Orth, 2013).
Low self-esteem is maintained by a self-perpetuating cycle: negative core beliefs about the self produce biased information processing (attending to confirming evidence, dismissing disconfirming evidence), avoidance, and self-defeating behaviour that appears to ‘confirm’ the original beliefs (Fennell, 1997).
Effective therapy interrupts this cycle by:
CBT for self-esteem produces significant and lasting improvements in self-worth and associated mental health outcomes (Fennell & Jenkins, 2004).
Our psychologists use the most effective evidence-based approaches:
Melanie Fennell’s CBT model for low self-esteem is the most extensively validated approach (Fennell, 1997). It identifies the bottom-line negative belief, the rules and assumptions built as compensation, and the behaviours that maintain self-worth problems — then systematically challenges and rebuilds each layer.
Developed by Paul Gilbert, CFT targets the harsh self-critical inner voice that drives low self-esteem by developing the brain’s self-compassion system — not as self-indulgence, but as a more effective, motivating way of relating to yourself. Particularly effective where self-esteem problems are accompanied by high shame (Gilbert, 2010).
Addresses the early maladaptive schemas — deeply held beliefs like ‘I am defective’, ‘I am unlovable’, or ‘I am incompetent’ — that typically originate in early life experiences and underlie chronic low self-esteem (Young et al., 2003).
Helps clients develop a more flexible, values-based sense of self — rather than a self-worth that depends on performance or others’ approval. ACT targets self-conceptualisation rigidity and builds psychological flexibility that is less vulnerable to self-esteem fluctuations.
Your psychologist will assess the nature and roots of your self-esteem difficulties and recommend the most appropriate approach.
Your first appointment explores where your self-esteem difficulties come from, how they show up in your life, and what you most want to change.
We work in a warm, non-judgemental way. Many people with low self-esteem have experienced critical or invalidating environments — our approach is explicitly the opposite.
Meaningful improvements in self-esteem typically develop over 10–20 sessions. The gains from this work tend to be broad and lasting, improving relationships, mood, and life engagement.
We offer appointments in-clinic at our Mooroolbark, Wheelers Hill, Reservoir, and Melbourne CBD locations, as well as Telehealth sessions from anywhere in Australia.
WorkCover, NDIS or TAC approved? YOU PAY NOTHING.
If your claim has been approved, we bill your funder directly. Zero out-of-pocket cost — no gap, no upfront payment, nothing.
Can psychologists actually improve self-esteem?
Yes. Decades of research confirm that CBT and related approaches produce significant, lasting improvements in self-esteem and associated mental health outcomes. This is not about repeating affirmations — it is systematic, evidence-based psychological work.
Is low self-esteem the same as depression?
They are related but distinct. Low self-esteem is a vulnerability factor for depression and frequently co-occurs with it — but it can also exist independently. Treatment addresses both the self-esteem and any co-occurring mood difficulties.
Can I access Medicare rebates for self-esteem treatment?
Yes. Low self-esteem is typically addressed within the context of a Mental Health Care Plan covering depression, anxiety, or another presenting condition. Your GP can advise on eligibility.
Low self-esteem is not a character flaw — it is a learned pattern. It can be unlearned.
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Fennell, M. J. V. (1997). Low self-esteem: A cognitive perspective. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 25(1), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1352465800015368
Fennell, M. J. V., & Jenkins, H. (2004). Low self-esteem. In J. Bennett-Levy, G. Butler, M. Fennell, A. Hackmann, M. Mueller, & D. Westbrook (Eds.), Oxford guide to behavioural experiments in cognitive therapy (pp. 413–430). Oxford University Press.
Gilbert, P. (2010). The compassionate mind: A new approach to life’s challenges. Constable & Robinson.
Sowislo, J. F., & Orth, U. (2013). Does low self-esteem predict depression and anxiety? A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Psychological Bulletin, 139(1), 213–240. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0028931
Young, J. E., Klosko, J. S., & Weishaar, M. E. (2003). Schema therapy: A practitioner’s guide. Guilford Press.
