Transform limiting beliefs into confidence & clarity
Many Struggle With chronic people-pleasing, low Self-Esteem, And Imposter Syndrome From Time To Time, But For Some, This Is A Pervasive Problem Impacting Many Aspects Of Life. psychotherapy & wellness Manhattan offers Psychotherapy Practices that address the root cause of Low Self-Esteem using EMDR Therapy, Relational Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, and CBT, all highly effective therapies in NYC. Recovering lost parts of yourself is a journey of integration—reconnecting with your authentic essence, healing fragmented pieces, and embracing the wholeness of who you truly are.
Healing Low Self-Esteem and People-Pleasing Through Psychotherapy
Struggling with low self-esteem and people-pleasing often feels like living on an emotional tightrope—constantly balancing the fear of rejection with the longing to be accepted. Many individuals who grapple with self-worth find themselves putting others’ needs first, overextending to maintain harmony or gain approval, while silently neglecting their own desires and boundaries. This ongoing cycle can create deep inner conflict, chronic anxiety, and a sense of disconnection from one’s authentic self.
Psychotherapy provides a supportive space to untangle these patterns. In therapy, we explore how early experiences, relational wounds, or cultural conditioning may have shaped the belief that love or safety depends on pleasing others. Together, we identify the underlying fears driving these behaviors—such as abandonment, criticism, or conflict—and begin to replace self-sacrificing tendencies with healthier ways of relating. Approaches like psychodynamic therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic therapy, and EMDR can help uncover and reprocess the root causes of self-doubt, while also teaching practical skills for boundary-setting and self-advocacy.
EMDR therapy, in particular, can accelerate healing by targeting the memories and experiences that formed the foundation of people-pleasing. Reprocessing these memories allows you to shift from old narratives of “not good enough” or “I must keep others happy to feel safe” toward a more balanced and empowering self-view. This process not only reduces anxiety but also strengthens resilience, so you can approach relationships with confidence rather than fear.
With psychotherapy, the goal isn’t to become indifferent to others—it’s to create a healthier balance where empathy and compassion coexist with self-respect and personal needs. By building self-esteem from the inside out, you reclaim the freedom to live authentically, develop nourishing relationships, and experience a deeper sense of peace and fulfillment.
How EMDR Therapy for Self-Esteem and People-Pleasing heals
Low self-esteem and people-pleasing often trace back to early experiences—critical caregivers, rejection, neglect, or environments where love and approval felt conditional. These moments can plant limiting beliefs like “I’m not enough”or “I have to keep others happy to feel safe.” Over time, these beliefs take root, fueling anxiety, perfectionism, and difficulty setting healthy boundaries.
Virtual EMDR therapy offers a powerful way to break free from these patterns. Through bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sounds), EMDR helps the brain reprocess and integrate painful experiences. Instead of reinforcing old, negative self-beliefs, you begin to embody new ones such as:
My worth does not depend on pleasing others.
It’s safe for me to express my needs.
I am enough exactly as I am.
By addressing the root causes of low self-esteem and people-pleasing, EMDR creates lasting change at both the emotional and nervous system level. Clients often find they no longer feel trapped in the cycle of self-sacrifice, but instead feel grounded, authentic, and confident in their relationships and daily lives.
At Holistic Therapy & Wellness NY, I provide virtual EMDR therapy across New York State, giving you access to effective, trauma-informed care from the comfort and privacy of your own space.
Healthy self-esteem is a foundation for having a satisfying life
Self-esteem is the foundation of how we show up in the world, and when it’s shaken, everything can feel out of balance. This practice offers a space to rebuild your sense of self-worth, transforming self-doubt into confidence and clarity. Through compassionate therapy, we’ll uncover the limiting beliefs that have held you back and replace them with a strong, authentic foundation built on self-respect and love.
Self-acceptance is vital to your emotional well-being. When our negative self-perception is chronic, it interferes with how we perceive and relate to the world. Understanding the root cause of self-esteem issues in therapy is an important way to correct this tendency and learn to direct the same care and compassion to yourself that you show to others.
When our self-esteem is low, we often see ourselves and our lives from a more critical and negative viewpoint. We may feel less equipped to confidently handle the stress and difficulties that life brings.
What follows are some common signs of low self-esteem:
Fear of embarrassment or failure
Difficulty forming and maintaining relationships
Trouble accepting compliments
Feeling despair, sad, ashamed, anxious
Avoiding new opportunities and experiences to protect oneself
Self-comparison, self-criticism
Highly-critical self-talk
Feeling unworthy, not enough, unwanted, or unloved
Feeling like your opinions, wants or needs do not matter
Inability to tolerate positive aspects of yourself, while being hyper-focused on negative aspects
Therapy can help improve your self-esteem and negative self-concept. What follows are various helpful approaches for improving low self-esteem.
Psychotherapy for self-esteem enhancement can help you learn to identify and embody your strengths and gifts while learning to manage negative self-talk and other self-destructive behaviors. You will also be guided to develop self-compassion for yourself. Working with a therapist can also help you build on the foundation that is critical to developing ongoing emotional well-being. Effective therapy helps you identify and honor your own needs and boundaries so that you can enjoy satisfying and realistic relationships. Effective self-esteem therapy can help you learn to trust and honor your intuition, which helps you to become less reliant on external validation.
About self-esteem Therapy NYC
This practice provides a range of psychological & wellness services in NYC and throughout NY state. The goal is to individualize treatment to your unique physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual needs. I have experience working with a broad range of symptoms and approaches in psychotherapy, including but not limited to EMDR Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Holistic Mind-Body Medicine. Therapy begins with a therapeutic consultation, where you will gain a wealth of information about your difficulties. Many people feel better after the first session. The initial consultation also lays the groundwork for future treatment as we determine the best modalities to help you heal.
self-esteem Therapist with nearly 20 years of Experience
This practice offers supportive, compassionate, and comprehensive care and also stays current on research related to mental health. I use my expertise and extensive training to get you back to living your life as quickly as possible.
Book an Appointment for self-esteem Therapy Today
To get started, book an appointment text at 212-529-8292. Integrative Psychotherapy & Wellness Manhattan can help you in your healing journey toward optimal mental health.