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    • Chicago Loop Team
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    • Lombard Team
    • Oak Brook Team
    • Riverside Team
    • Westmont Team
  • Appointment by Location
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    • Chicago West Town
    • Elmhurst Location
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    • Who is it for?
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      • Family Counseling
      • Individual Counseling
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      • Addictions Services
      • Telehealth Services
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      • Trauma
      • Grief
      • Burnout
      • Phobia
      • Stress
      • Addiction
      • ADHD
      • OCD
      • Chronic Health Issues
      • Divorce
      • Men’s Issues
      • Eating Disorder
      • Body Image
      • Parenting Support
      • Self-Esteem
      • PTSD
    • Our therapy approaches
      • EMDR Therapy
      • TF-CBT Therapy
      • Somatic Therapy
      • IFS Therapy
      • CBT Therapy
      • DBT Therapy
      • ACT Therapy
      • Exposure Therapy
      • EFT Therapy
      • Gottman Method Therapy
      • Attachment-Based Therapy
      • Psychodynamic Therapy
      • Relational Therapy
      • Narrative Therapy
      • Faith-Integrated Counseling
      • Integrative Therapy
      • Art Therapy
      • Play Therapy
      • Mindfulness-Based Therapy
      • SFBT Therapy
      • Person-Centered Therapy
  • Pricing & Insurance Info
  • For Providers
    • ReferrersYour Guide to Submittig referrals
    • We are Hiring!
    • Intern with us!
    • Franchise with Us!
  • Client Portal
  • Blog
  • FAQ

Self-Esteem

Home>Service > Self-Esteem

Rebuilding How You See Yourself

Self-Esteem Therapy in Chicago and Western Suburbs

Self-esteem is the way you view your own worth, value, and identity. When self-esteem is low, it can feel like nothing you do is ever enough, or that others are more capable, more confident, or more deserving than you. Over time, this can impact relationships, decision-making, emotional health, and your ability to pursue meaningful goals.

At Grace Integrated, we provide compassionate, evidence-based self-esteem therapy for children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families throughout Chicago and the western suburbs. We understand that self-worth is shaped over time through experiences, relationships, and internal narratives—and it can be rebuilt with support.

Schedule an Appointment Today
Self Esteem
What Is Self-Esteem

Overview

What Is Self-Esteem ?

Self-esteem refers to how you perceive and value yourself. It influences how you think, feel, and behave in relationships, work, and daily life.

Healthy self-esteem does not mean constant confidence it means having a stable sense of self-worth, even during challenges or setbacks.

Self-esteem is not fixed it can change and grow over time with the right support and tools.

Whether your struggles with self-esteem are rooted in past experiences, trauma, relationships, or long-standing self-criticism, therapy can help you develop a more balanced, compassionate, and confident sense of self.

Low self-esteem may develop from a combination of:

  • Childhood experiences and attachment patterns
  • Critical or invalidating relationships
  • Trauma or emotional neglect
  • Bullying or social rejection
  • Chronic stress or anxiety
  • Depression or negative thinking patterns
  • Perfectionism and high internal standards
  • Cultural or societal pressures
  • Repeated experiences of failure or criticism

Is this the right time?

Signs You May Benefit From Self-Esteem Therapy

Low self-esteem often shows up in both subtle and persistent ways.

You may benefit from stress therapy if you:

Struggle with frequent self-criticism or negative self-talk
Feel like you are “not good enough”
Have difficulty accepting compliments or positive feedback
Compare yourself often to others
Feel insecure in relationships
Fear rejection or abandonment
Avoid challenges due to fear of failure
Feel stuck in cycles of self-doubt or hesitation
Experience perfectionism or unrealistic expectations of yourself
Have difficulty making decisions or trusting your judgment
Feel shame or guilt about past experiences
Seek constant reassurance from others
Struggle to set boundaries or advocate for yourself
Feel disconnected from your strengths or identity
Believe others are more deserving or capable than you
Low self-esteem can also contribute to anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and burnout.

Treatment Options

Understanding Different Types of Self-Esteem

Self-esteem can show up in different ways depending on life experiences and coping styles.

Low Self-Esteem
Persistent self-doubt, negative self-talk, and difficulty recognizing personal strengths or value.
Fragile/Conditional Self-Esteem
Feeling “okay” only when things are going well, but struggling significantly after setbacks or criticism.
Situational Self-Esteem
Self-worth that fluctuates depending on achievements, relationships, or external validation.
Externalized Self-Worth
Relying heavily on others’ approval or validation to feel worthy or secure.
Perfectionistic Self-Esteem
A pattern where self-worth is tied to performance, achievement, or avoiding mistakes.

How Affect Your Life

How Self-Esteem Can Affect Your Life

Self-esteem influences how you relate to yourself, others, and your goals.

Relationships

Difficulty setting boundaries, fear of rejection, people-pleasing, or staying in unhealthy relationships.

Mental Health

Anxiety, depression, shame, self-doubt, and chronic negative thinking patterns.

Work or School

Fear of failure, perfectionism, procrastination, or underestimating your abilities.

Daily Life

Difficulty making decisions, avoiding opportunities, or second-guessing yourself frequently.

Identity&Confidence

Feeling disconnected from strengths, values, or personal identity, and struggling to feel “enough.

How We Help

Self-Esteem Therapy Approaches We May Use

Therapy focuses on building a more stable, compassionate, and realistic sense of self-worth.

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps identify and challenge negative core beliefs and self-critical thinking patterns that reinforce low self-esteem.
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ACT

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT helps clients build self-acceptance and focus on values-based living rather than self-judgment or avoidance.
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Behavioral Activation

Self-Compassion Work

Clients learn how to replace harsh self-criticism with a more supportive and balanced internal voice.
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Schema Therapy-Informed Work

Explores long-standing patterns developed in childhood or early experiences that shape self-worth & identity.
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Mindfulness and Nervous

Narrative Therapy

Helps clients reframe personal stories in a more empowering and strengths-based way.
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IFS

Emotional Regulation Skills

Supports clients in managing shame, anxiety, and emotional reactivity tied to self-worth.
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Trusted Excellence

Why Choose Grace Integrated?

Stress is often dismissed as “just part of life,” but chronic stress can significantly impact emotional and physical health. Support can make a meaningful difference.

Clients choose Grace Integrated because we provide:

Compassionate, trauma-informed care
Evidence-based therapeutic approaches
Individualized treatment plans
Support for teens and adults
Focus on identity, confidence, and self-worth
Inclusive and affirming environment
In-person and telehealth options
A strengths-based, collaborative approach
We help clients move from self-doubt and criticism toward confidence, clarity, and self-acceptance.

Serving Chicago and the Western Suburbs

Grace Integrated provides self-esteem therapy throughout Chicago, including the Loop and West Town offices, as well as Elmhurst, Oak Brook, Lombard, Riverside, Westmont, and surrounding communities. We also offer secure telehealth therapy across Illinois.

Chicago Loop
Chicago West Town
Elmhurst
Lombard
Westmont
Riverside
Oak Brook

questions & answered

Frequently Asked Questions

Can self-esteem really improve with therapy?

Yes. Self-esteem can significantly improve through therapy by addressing core beliefs, thought patterns, and emotional responses.

Is low self-esteem the same as depression?

Not exactly, but they often overlap. Low self-esteem can contribute to depression, and depression can reinforce negative self-perceptions.

Why do I struggle with self-esteem even when my life is going well?

Self-esteem is often shaped by early experiences and internal beliefs, not just current circumstances.

Can therapy help with confidence?

Yes. Therapy can help build both internal confidence (self-worth) and external confidence (behavioral action and communication).

How long does it take to improve self-esteem?

It varies, but many people begin noticing shifts as they challenge long-standing patterns and build self-compassion skills.

CONTACTS

You Don’t Have to Stay Stuck in Self-Doubt

Low self-esteem can shape how you see yourself and what you believe is possible but it does not have to define your future. With support, it is possible to build a more compassionate, stable, and confident relationship with yourself.

At Grace Integrated, we are here to help you move from self-criticism toward self-understanding, acceptance, and confidence.

Make An Appointment
Call Us Request Appointment
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Our clinic is a large private mental health practice with a carefully selected team of experienced psychotherapists who are dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and families thrive.

Our Services

  • Couples Counseling
  • Family Counseling
  • Individual Counseling
  • Youth Services
  • Addictions Services
  • Telehealth Therapy

Locations

  • Chicago Loop Location
  • Chicago West Town
  • Elmhurst Location
  • Lombard Location
  • Westmont Location
  • Riverside Location
  • Oak Brook Location

Availability

We provide support Monday – Saturday from 8.00 AM to 9.00 PM

admin@graceintegrated.com
+1 (630) 728-1744

 

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