"You yourself,
deserve your love and affection.” — Buddha .

What Is Self Esteem?

Self-Esteem can be defined as an attitude possessed about our skills and abilities and how we see or value ourselves. It can mean acceptance toward yourself with a sense of trust. It can also be a sense of knowing your strengths and vulnerabilities with a positive view of yourself within it.  Which isn’t alway easy to do. Confidence and self-worth is a really precious mental resource that can be linked with achievements, healthy relationships and overall well being. On the other hand, having low self-esteem can lead to a lower mood which may be a little more consistent which can impact your full potential at work, play or other environments. 

There are many factors which can impact self esteem such as self acceptance, relationship with family and friends, upbringing, traumatic events, significant changes in life, and societal or cultural expectations, These are some of the things that impact the way we see ourselves, and the relationship we have with ourselves and others impacting our expectations or goals in life. 

There are various practical methods that can be practiced to rebuild a sense of self compassion and wisdom around reframing or rebuilding confidence. With the right help, you can suppress negative thoughts and move toward positive outcomes. In conjunction with evidence based approaches that can be achieved in therapy,  there’s hope, here’s some things you can do to build up your self esteem and manage the inner critic:

  • Surround yourself with positive, affirming people
  • Be kind to yourself with self care and mindfulness
  • Talk to yourself kindly and tell your negative inner voice to stop
  • Use positive affirmations
  • Set achievable goals
  •  Write down what you like about yourself
  • Think about what you are grateful for

What Low Self-Esteem may look like:

  • Being socially withdrawn or avoidant of family or friends
  • Focussing on the negative or blaming yourself when things don’t go to plan
  • Thinking you don’t deserve happiness or joy
  • You worry about what others think and seek approval regularly 
  • You feel uncomfortable with eye contact
  • Any criticism or judgment can have severe emotional impacts 

Self-Esteem can be defined as an attitude possessed about our skills and abilities and how we see or value ourselves. It can mean acceptance toward yourself with a sense of trust. It can also be a sense of knowing your strengths and vulnerabilities with a positive view of yourself within it.  Which isn’t alway easy to do. Confidence and self-worth is a really precious mental resource that can be linked with achievements, healthy relationships and overall well being. On the other hand, having low self-esteem can lead to a lower mood which may be a little more consistent which can impact your full potential at work, play or other environments. 

There are many factors which can impact self esteem such as self acceptance, relationship with family and friends, upbringing, traumatic events, significant changes in life, and societal or cultural expectations, These are some of the things that impact the way we see ourselves, and the relationship we have with ourselves and others impacting our expectations or goals in life. 

There are various practical methods that can be practiced to rebuild a sense of self compassion and wisdom around reframing or rebuilding confidence. With the right help, you can suppress negative thoughts and move toward positive outcomes. In conjunction with evidence based approaches that can be achieved in therapy,  there’s hope, here’s some things you can do to build up your self esteem and manage the inner critic:

  • Surround yourself with positive, affirming people
  • Be kind to yourself with self care and mindfulness
  • Talk to yourself kindly and tell your negative inner voice to stop
  • Use positive affirmations
  • Set achievable goals
  •  Write down what you like about yourself
  • Think about what you are grateful for

How Our Team Can Help

At Unboxed Pride, we offer support by developing a plan that may include:

We’re here to listen and talk about how you are feeling

Pressure to succeed, social media, relationships, and social stress can all trigger us to experience a decline in our self esteem. We’ll listen and talk about your past or current experiences to explore what may be impacting your view of yourself and the world. and develop a plan to suit your needs and a future vision. 

Developing Coping Skills

We all have set thought patterns based on our values and life experiences which influence our thoughts about ourselves.Our team can help identify and understand why you feel this way, help break the cycle, and provide a range of techniques, such as mindfulness.  Apps like Calm and Headspace offer some great mindfulness techniques you can use any time.  

Headspace

Calm

freemindfulness.org

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Therapy may include gradually exposing you to anxiety-inducing situations integrated with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).  CBT is a form of talk therapy which helps you understand your beliefs and triggers, how you feel and how you act as a result.  You and your caring therapist will challenge your beliefs and develop new ways of behaving to build positive self belief and personal power. Your therapist will have a range of evidence based approaches including CBT that can be highly effective for boosting self-esteem and overall confidence. 

Our Team Are Here For You

We are here with you every step of the way and are committed to progress and supporting you in your journey.
 Therapist image

Keith Kulda

He/Him
Counsellor
Confident, LGBTQIA+ member, Tough but Comforting, Male
Counsellor
Wed & Thurs
$130
 Therapist image

Keith Kulda

Counsellor
ADD/ADHD
Agoraphobia
Alcohol & Drug Abuse

 Counsellor (He/Him)

My counselling approach is person-centred and focused on developing strong therapeutic partnerships and meet clients where they are. I am a proud gay man of colour with a practice motivated on helping clients with personal growth and making self-rewarding change.  
 Therapist image

Tasha Turner

She/They
Senior Counsellor
LGBTQIA+ member, Gender Queer, Spiritual, Non-religious, Confident, Warm and Sensitive
Senior Counsellor
Tuesday & Thursday
Individual Sessions: $130
Couples: $230
 Therapist image

Tasha Turner

Senior Counsellor
ADD/ADHD
Agoraphobia
Alcohol & Drug Abuse

Clinical Counsellor and Psychotherapist (She/Her)

As a proud gender Queer, pansexual, neurodivergent Counsellor, and chronic pain battler, I am excited to be part of this tailored support service. My purpose is to guide clients in exploring their true selves, embracing their differences and living authentically  
 Therapist image

Milo Crocchini

He/Him
Registered Psychologist (BA-Psych, MPsych, GDipPsych, MAPS)
LGBTQIA+ Member, Male, Confident
Registered Psychologist
Wed, Thurs & Saturday
$192.90 (Private Fee)
$100 (With Medicare Rebate)
  $230 – Couples Counselling
 Therapist image

Milo Crocchini

Registered Psychologist (BA-Psych, MPsych, GDipPsych, MAPS)
ADD/ADHD
Agoraphobia
Alcohol & Drug Abuse

Registered Psychologist (He/Him - BA-Psych, MPsych, GDipPsych, MAPS)

I'm a registered psychologist based in Sydney. I am passionate about helping my clients live happier and more emotionally fulfilling lives. I provide support and guidance during some of the most challenging times, creating a warm and empathetic therapeutic environment where they can feel safe, heard, understood, and valued.  
 Therapist image

Mark Podesta

He/Him
Registered Psychologist (GradDip & Postgrad Dip - Psychology)
LGBTQIA+ member, Male, Spiritual, Warm and Sensitive
General Psychologist (GradDip and Postgrad Dip -Psych)
Saturday
$192.90 (Private Fee)
$100 (With Medicare Rebate)
  $230 – Couples Counselling
 Therapist image

Mark Podesta

Registered Psychologist (GradDip & Postgrad Dip - Psychology)
ADD/ADHD
Alcohol & Drug Abuse
Anger management

Registered Psychologist (He/Him)

I'm a warm, caring, approachable person. I'll be guided by your strengths, needs and circumstances; empowering you to be able to create positive changes, cope with challenges and difficulties, and improve your overall wellbeing.    
 Therapist image

Leonard W Kling

He/Him
Clinical Psychologist
Male, LGBTQIA+ member, Warm and Sensitive, Non-religous
Clinical Psychologist
Wednesday
$235.50 (Private Fee)
$99.15  (With Medicare Rebate)
 Therapist image

Leonard W Kling

Clinical Psychologist
ADD/ADHD
Agoraphobia
Alcohol & Drug Abuse

 Clinical Psychologist (He/Him) 

I’m a very positive, compassionate and respectful person. While making every effort to genuinely understand the unique challenges that can be faced, I’ll always create a welcoming and safe space to build future goals and work with you to develop positive change and growth.
 Therapist image

Nicole Vanderkroef

She/Her
Clinical Counsellor and Psychotherapist
LGBTQIA+ member, Female, Spiritual, Non-religious, Parent, Warm and Sensitive, Confident
Clinical Counsellor and Psychotherapist
Monday, Wednesday & Saturday
$130
 Therapist image

Nicole Vanderkroef

Clinical Counsellor and Psychotherapist
ADD/ADHD
Agoraphobia
Alcohol & Drug Abuse

Clinical Counsellor and Psychotherapist (She/Her)

I am a qualified clinical counsellor and psychotherapist with over 10 years working with adults, children and families. I have a warm, open and patient approach -- and some very broad shoulders  
https://unboxedpride.com.au/