Self-esteem Therapy in Etobicoke A kinder way of being with yourself
Support for the inner critic, self-doubt and the patterns that keep you second-guessing who you are. Meet in person at our calm Lake Shore clinic or online anywhere in Ontario, with a therapist you choose.
About self-esteem therapy
Quieting the voice that says not enough
Self-esteem is not about thinking you are perfect. It is about knowing you are worth care, even on the days you get it wrong.
Self-esteem is how you see and value yourself. When it is low, it can show up as a harsh inner critic, constant comparison, a fear of getting things wrong or a sense that you are never quite enough, no matter what you achieve. It can be quiet and steady, or it can flare up in certain relationships, jobs or seasons of life.
Low self-esteem is not a diagnosis, and it is not a personal failing. It often has roots in earlier experiences, such as criticism, bullying, loss, discrimination or growing up feeling you had to earn your place. It can also be shaped by culture, identity and the messages we absorb about who is valued.
What people often bring to therapy
- A loud inner critic that is hard to switch off
- Perfectionism, procrastination and fear of failure
- People-pleasing and difficulty saying no
- Feeling like an impostor at work or school
- Comparing yourself with others, online and off
- Staying in relationships or jobs that do not feel right
- Shame or self-doubt connected to identity, culture or body
How therapy can help
Therapy is a place to get curious about where your beliefs about yourself came from, and whether they still fit. Your therapist might help you notice the inner critic as it shows up, practise responding to yourself with more kindness, set boundaries that protect your time and energy, and take small steps toward the things you have been holding back from. Change tends to build slowly, and you set the pace.
Connected to other experiences
Low self-esteem often travels with anxiety, low mood, relationship patterns or past hurts. You do not need to sort out which one to start with. Your therapist can help you look at how they connect and focus on what matters most to you right now.
A calm space, in person or online
Our clinic on Lake Shore Boulevard West was designed to feel calm and familiar, with soft light, natural wood and comfortable chairs. We encourage meeting in person when you can, and video and phone sessions are available anywhere in Ontario.
When you reach out, we reply within 24 hours on business days and recommend a selection of therapists who may fit your needs. You can book a free 15-minute phone consult with one or more of them and choose who feels right.
We are not a crisis service. If you are in immediate danger or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Signs you might benefit from extra support
Self-doubt looks different for everyone, and there is no threshold you need to meet. You might find support helpful if you are:
- Hearing a harsh inner voice that criticizes what you do
- Holding yourself to standards you would never expect of others
- Putting other people's needs first and finding it hard to say no
- Feeling like a fraud, even when others see you as capable
- Comparing yourself with others and coming away feeling less
- Avoiding new challenges because you expect to fail
- Brushing off compliments and dwelling on criticism
- Staying in situations that do not feel right because you doubt you deserve better
Experiences we support
Self-esteem touches many parts of life. Here are some of the experiences therapists on our team help people work through.
The inner critic
Noticing the voice that judges you, and learning to respond with more kindness.
Perfectionism
Loosening impossible standards and the fear of getting things wrong.
People-pleasing and boundaries
Saying no, asking for what you need and protecting your time and energy.
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Impostor feelings
Doubting your abilities at work or school despite the evidence.
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Anxiety
Worry, self-doubt and overthinking that often travel with low self-esteem.
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Low mood
The heaviness and hopelessness that can come with feeling not enough.
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Relationship patterns
Choosing, staying in or leaving relationships, and how you show up in them.
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Body image
When how you feel about yourself is tied to how you look.
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Identity and belonging
Self-worth shaped by culture, race, gender, sexuality or being a newcomer.
Some approaches our therapists use
There is no single way through this. Your therapist will draw on approaches that suit you and explain how they work along the way.
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Compassion-Focused Therapy
Practise meeting yourself with warmth instead of criticism, especially when things go wrong or feel hard.
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Notice the beliefs and thought patterns that keep you doubting yourself, and test them against how things really are.
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Make room for self-doubt without letting it decide what you do, and move toward the things that matter to you.
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Internal Family Systems
Get to know the critical and protective parts of you, and understand what each one is trying to do for you.
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Narrative Therapy
Separate who you are from the stories others have told about you, and write a fuller, truer story of your own.
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Attachment-Based Therapy
Understand how early relationships shaped the way you see yourself, and build more secure ways of relating today.
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Person-Centred Therapy
Feel heard and accepted as you are, in a relationship that helps you trust your own experience and judgement.
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Solution-Focused Therapy
Focus on your strengths and what is already working, and build on them with small, realistic steps.
What to expect
From your first message to ongoing sessions, here is how self-esteem therapy works at Thought & Feeling.
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Send an inquiry
Fill in the form below or call (647) 499-0440. Share as much or as little as you like. We reply within 24 hours on business days.
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Choose your therapist
We recommend a selection of therapists who may fit your needs. Book a free 15-minute phone consult with one or more of them and choose who feels right.
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Your first session
Your therapist will get to know you and what you would like to change. You decide what to share and when, and there is no right place to start.
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Moving forward
Sessions follow a rhythm that suits you, weekly or every other week. You can adjust any time.
In person or online, your choice
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In person on Lake Shore
Meet in our calm, light-filled clinic at 3515 Lake Shore Blvd W, with natural wood, soft light and hot drinks waiting. The 507 Long Branch streetcar and parking are right out front.
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Video sessions
Secure video sessions through Jane from anywhere in Ontario. Your link arrives with your appointment reminder.
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Phone sessions
Talk from wherever you feel most comfortable, no camera needed.
Therapists who support self-esteem
Therapists on our team support self-esteem, self-worth and the inner critic. Filter by language or availability to find someone who feels like the right fit.
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Accepting new clientsCarrie Triga
Meet Carrie -
Accepting new clientsHeather Saumer
Meet Heather -
Accepting new clients
Katherine Chung-Aguilar
Meet Katherine -
Accepting new clients
Patty Farias
English, Spanish
Meet Patty -
Accepting new clients
Rachael Fernandes
Meet Rachael -
Not accepting clients
Sara Kassem
Meet Sara
Every situation is different. Other therapists on our team may also be a good fit, so we confirm fit case by case and you can book a free 15-minute consult before deciding.
Fees and insurance
$170 to $190
Per 50-minute individual session, depending on your therapist, with longer sessions available as needed at a proportionate rate. No tax is charged on psychotherapy sessions.
Please note: Always check directly with your insurance provider to confirm your coverage. We share general information to help you plan, but your plan decides what is covered.
- Covered by many extended health plans for Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Social Workers
- We do not direct bill: pay for each session, then submit your receipt to your insurer
- No referral needed to get started
- Cancel or reschedule free of charge with 24 hours notice
Self-esteem therapy questions
Is low self-esteem a reason to see a therapist?
Yes. You do not need a diagnosis or a crisis to start therapy. If the way you see yourself is holding you back or making life harder, that is reason enough to reach out.
Where does low self-esteem come from?
It often has roots in earlier experiences, such as criticism, bullying, loss or discrimination, and in the messages we absorb about who is valued. Therapy can help you understand your own story without blaming yourself for it.
How long does self-esteem therapy take?
It depends on what you are working on. Some people notice a shift after a few months, while others prefer to keep going for longer. You and your therapist will check in on your goals along the way.
Is this the same as building confidence?
They are connected. Confidence is often about what you believe you can do, while self-esteem is about how you value yourself. Therapy can support both.
Do you work with teens?
Yes. Select therapists on our team work with teens, and self-esteem is a common reason young people come to therapy. Let us know their age when you reach out.
Can I have sessions online?
Yes. Video and phone sessions are available anywhere in Ontario, and you can switch between in-person and online sessions as your needs change.
Is this therapy covered by insurance?
Many extended health plans cover psychotherapy with a Registered Psychotherapist or Registered Social Worker, but coverage varies, so contact your insurance plan directly to confirm yours. We do not direct bill: you pay for each session and submit your receipt to your insurer.
Please note: Always check directly with your insurance provider to confirm your coverage. We share general information to help you plan, but your plan decides what is covered.
Other ways we can help
Get started
Reach out when you are ready
Tell us a little about what you are looking for. We reply within 24 hours on business days and recommend a selection of therapists who may fit your needs.
New here
Tell us a little about what you are looking for and we will reply within 24 hours to help you find the right therapist.
Fill in the inquiry form- (647) 499-0440
- hello@thoughtandfeeling.ca
- 3515 Lake Shore Blvd W, Etobicoke
- Evening and weekend appointments available
New client inquiry
Private and secure. Only our intake team sees your answers.