Self esteem

1. Self Esteem

3. What is self-esteem?
- Respect or favorable image of oneself
- The feeling that you are worthy of the
respect of others.

4. Measure
Generally in a range between High and
Low, reflecting how you feel about
yourself overall.

5. Child’s early experiences
Self esteem forms as a result of the child’s early experiences.
If a child feels loved, is treated lovingly, is supported,
encouraged, gets positive attention, is taught skills, is given
appropriate freedom to make choices, senses that those in
his environment think he has value, is listened to by
parents and others in his environment, he is likely to form
healthy self-esteem.
If on the other hand, the child is mistreated, harshly
disciplined, overly criticized, put down, embarrassed and or
humiliated, unsupported, kept isolated, left alone for long
periods of time, she will likely develop low self-esteem”.

6. When you have Healthy Self
Esteem .....
- You are confident, and enjoy what you are
and what you do.
- You feel that you have demonstrated your
worth and are held in high regard by
others.
- You have strong and fruitful relationships
and receive positive responses from those
you interact with.

8. When you suffer Low Self-Esteem
You are:
- Shy in expressing needs and opinions
- Unable to make decisions
- Unable to form secure relationships
- Unrealistic in expectations
- Likely to be overcritical. Negative self talk
- Weak, unable to weather stress and setbacks
- Likely to be pessimistic
- Difficulty accepting compliments

9. What causes low self esteem (GPS)
• Brooding, or being pre-occupied with dark or
sad memories or thoughts
• Engaging in negative self-talk or self-criticism
• Having a mental health disorder
• Low levels of resilience
• Maladaptive coping skills
• Rumination, or obsessively thinking about one
thing

10. Tips to improve self-esteem
- Practise self-care, improve lifestyle
- Identify triggers to low self-esteem
- Practise relaxation and stress management
techniques
- Identify and control negative and oversensitive
responses and reactions
- Develop relevant life skills

11. Life skills
- Identify and understand needs and feelings
- Look at things positively
- Protect your space
- Be assertive
- Avoid excessive focus on self, consider others,
empathise with them
- Be realistic, pragmatic and 'philosophical'
- Recognise shortcomings without feeling inferior
- Recognise new learning and grasp opportunities

12. What we can do as counsellors
- Listen understand, empathise
- Refer to other professionals when
necessary
- Remain supportive at all times