Self-Esteem Therapists in Vancouver

Browse 7 therapists specializing in Self-Esteem in Vancouver. Find the right counsellor or psychotherapist for your needs.

Low self-esteem is not a personal flaw or a fixed trait. It is usually a set of beliefs people develop over time, often shaped by early relationships, criticism, comparison, or experiences that left them feeling inadequate, unlovable, or not enough. These beliefs can operate quietly in the background, influencing how someone approaches relationships, work, conflict, and daily decisions. Therapy for self-esteem focuses on understanding where those beliefs came from and working through them at their root.

What to look for in a Self-Esteem therapist on Purple Lotus

  • Experience with negative self-beliefs, shame, or inner critic work
  • Familiarity with CBT, Schema Therapy, ACT, or self-compassion approaches
  • Comfort exploring early experiences and relational patterns when relevant
  • Clear explanation of their approach and realistic expectations for progress

7 therapists for Self-Esteem in Vancouver

Browse 7 therapists specializing in Self-Esteem in Vancouver. Find the right counsellor or psychotherapist for your needs.

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Hayley Barlow

Do you have anxiety, depression or low self esteem issues that are interfering with your ability to live a life that feels authentic to you? Have you gone through a traumatic event that is leaving deep imprints on both your mind and body? Are you experiencing thoughts or behaviors that leave you feeling disconnected from yourself or your relationships with others? If any of the above resonates with you, please know that you have the ability to reclaim your power, rewrite the narrative of your life, and live a life that feels inherently meaningful. It is so hard to be human sometimes, I get it. Fortunately, you don't have to go through any of these challenges alone. My name is Hayley and I am a counsellor who works with both teens and young adults experiencing a wide range of issues. I offer a warm, validating and nonjudgmental environment that helps individuals explore their thoughts, feelings and behaviors that are creating imbalance or emotional uncertainty in their lives. I am a firm believer that there is nothing to be "fixed", because there is nothing inherently wrong with you. You have simply been responding to what has happened to you in life. And you have the capacity to not only heal, but rediscover the relationship you have with yourself and others. I am simply here to walk alongside you as you embark on your journey towards healing and transformation. During our sessions, I take a holistic approach that incorporates various evidence-based therapeutic modalities that ultimately focus on the mind-body connection. I often use principles and interventions from both CBT and somatic therapy to help individuals overcome their challenges, realign with the lost parts of themselves, and learn to cope with difficult thoughts or emotions. If you are ready to begin your journey towards healing and are interested in setting up a complimentary 15 minute consultation, please feel free to contact me. I would love to help you get there.

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Parveen Boyal

Parveen Boyal

Hi! Thanks for being here and taking the time to find someone to support you on your counselling journey. I know how difficult it can be to reach out for support, regardless of whether or not you’ve accessed counselling before. To give you a better idea of what to expect when working with me, allow me to share a bit about my approach. In my work with clients, I endeavour to create a space in which you can talk about topics and concerns that are difficult or have felt taboo. I am a big proponent of accepting and experiencing the whole spectrum of emotions and developing more compassion towards ourselves. Counselling is a collaborative process where maintaining your autonomy is the most important part of our work. We go at whatever pace feels most comfortable for you, and you will never have to try an intervention or share something that you do not feel comfortable with or ready for. I help my clients accept themselves and their emotions and connect with their values and what matters to them. On a more personal level: I am a non-disabled, cis-het, South-Asian woman. I was born in BC and currently live and work in Vancouver on the unceded and ancestral territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples. Outside of my work as a counsellor, I am an avid reader and TV binge-watcher, I love baking, and try to soak in the sun whenever I can. I like spending time hanging out with friends and family, but also cherish times when I can unwind on my own. I also engage in my own counselling sessions and have lived experience with anxiety and panic attacks, body image concerns, and grief and loss. From my own experiences as a client, I know how much of a difference it can make to find a counsellor that feels like the right fit. I invite you to book a free consultation with me to see if I’m the right counsellor for you. I look forward to meeting you soon!

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Jackie Dodd

Jackie Dodd

Hello! I'm glad you're here. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (#11949) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors, and a Canadian Certified Counsellor (#11249171) and am able to support clients who reside in within Canada. My aim in any therapy session is to support you in a way that you find helpful, while holding a safe enough space to challenge beliefs and behaviours you deem unhelpful. I have varied work experience in the field of mental health, including several years working alongside individuals who live with the lasting impacts of trauma, substance use, mental health diagnoses, poverty, and homelessness. I am Canadian born and Indian, and part of my work is rooted in my lived experience existing between cultures to support clients who face similar struggles. My Masters of Counselling Psychology degree is supplemented by additional postgraduate training in cognitive behaviour therapy, mindful self-compassion, anti-oppressive psychotherapy, narrative therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, and strengths-based listening. I incorporate an intersectional feminist lens in my work, and am continually learning to be a more effective ally to multiple communities (including Black, Indigenous, people with racialized identities, and LGBTQ2SIA+). Outside of Counselling work, I enjoy spending time with friends, animals, and my niece and nephews. I see clients in person or virtually at my Vancouver office on Monday evenings and Fridays, and offer virtual only sessions on Thursday evenings. If you would like to know more about how we could work together or know more about what the counselling process could look like in general, I invite you to book a free 20-minute consultation session (virtual or over the phone). My hope is that I can offer support that is helpful to you! Areas of Practice: - Depression - Anxiety - Stress Management -Identity and Cultural Concerns - Mental Health Diagnoses - Difficult Life Transitions - Grief and Loss - Trauma - Substance use Approaches Used: - Strengths based listening - CBT - Mindful Self-Compassion - Anti-Oppression Psychotherapy - Narrative Therapy - Dialectical Behavioural Therapy -Intersectional Feminist Lens The land I work, live and play on is the unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and the Stó:lō Nations.

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Louis Lin

Louis Lin

Have you ever rushed out the door only to realize you forgot something or spilled coffee all over yourself? Have you ever said to yourself, “I'm tired of feeling this way/ I shouldn’t be feeling like this,” yet the feelings persist and sometimes come back stronger? These may seem like two distinct, unrelated instances I am raising, but I parallel them with how we often approach our problems: we tend to want to rush through them or judge ourselves for having the emotions and reactions to the difficulties life tosses at us. I’m here to propose an alternative: your feelings are valid, no matter what you’re seeking help for. We rarely move through life with intention and space to slow down and reflect. I see counselling as a dedicated space created for you by you to get curious about yourself, tend to the parts that need some fine-tuning and updates, and process some uncomfortable emotions that the outside world doesn’t always give space for. I offer 15-minute complimentary consultations for all clients who are interested in working with me. Looking up therapists is a big step – in my opinion, you are already halfway from where you began to where you would like to be!

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Kaitlin Wu

Kaitlin Wu

Hi there! I am an able bodied and second generation Chinese Canadian immigrant, living and working on the stolen lands of the səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam) Nations. I particularly enjoy supporting marginalized communities and neurodivergent individuals who may be struggling with experiences of invalidation, life transitions, family conflict, relationship challenges, anxiety, and low self-worth. I support folks navigate their own identities by creating a holistic understanding of their history, cultural narrative, and relationship with themselves and others. I understand the complexity of juggling dual cultural identities or not feeling like you belong in either groups. I approach each session with compassion and curiosity as I prioritize my client's safety when processing and unpacking their lived experiences. I strongly value creating a safe, nonjudgmental, healing space where individuals feel valued, heard, and empowered to step into their transformative self-worth. I also support folks impacted by medical trauma and the oppression that can occur in mental health systems. In particular, I support folks struggling with schizophrenia and psychosis. I am committed in supporting folks with symptom management, decolonizing mental health stigmas, fostering self awareness, and bridging community support. I pull from various therapeutic modalities and lean towards a more person-centred, intersectional, and social justice-framed approach. I also enjoy utilizing inner-child work in my sessions! I believe in empowering my clients to unlearn biases, prejudice, and oppressive narratives to help them reclaim their truth. I would be honoured to be a part of your healing journey as we cultivate a safe space together. Please feel free to email me to book or if you have any questions! I am also more than happy to provide a 15 minute complimentary consultation! Now accepting ICBC clients! 12 free sessions for ICBC clients within the first 12 weeks of the accident.

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Julie Cowie

Julie Cowie

Are you feeling overwhelmed or stuck and unsure of how to move forward, or unsure even what you are needing. You might feel like you need to have it all figured out, juggling academic or career pressures, navigating relationships, and trying to understand and define who you are. The weight of these expectations and pressures can feel overwhelming, leading to anxiety, self-doubt, and even burnout. I specialize in helping students, youth and young adults navigate the unique challenges of this stage of life. Let's work together to understand what you need and support you! I believe that when we validate our hard and our challenges and begin to explore how those challenges effect the present version of us, then we truly start to heal and can begin to work toward a more authentic connected self! I have a passion for working with people. I truly believe that every person has the innate ability to grow and change and live a happy and fulfilling life! Together we can work towards your goals and create the changes you deserve!

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Ali Denno

Ali Denno

As a counsellor, I collaborate with every client to understand the power of their story and for my clients to feel heard and honoured. I view counselling as a place for individuals to explore talk therapy alongside expressive arts, creating space for understanding parts of themselves that, at times, can be hard to put words to. My approach in the counselling space is holistic, strengths-based, creative, and highly collaborative. Our stories, words, and narratives impact our current-day mental health, and through creativity and encouragement, we as human beings can get to know ourselves on a deeper level.

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Looking beyond Vancouver? Browse all Self-Esteem therapists in Canada.

Self-Esteem therapists in Vancouver — at a glance

accepting new clients
7/ 7
offer online sessions
7/ 7
offer sliding scale fees
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Frequently asked questions

What does therapy for self-esteem actually involve?

Therapy for self-esteem focuses on identifying and working through negative beliefs about yourself, understanding where they came from, and building a more grounded self-view. Depending on the approach, this can involve thought-challenging exercises, exploring early experiences, self-compassion practices, or working with the inner critic directly.

How long does it take to see results from self-esteem therapy?

It depends on the depth and origin of the self-esteem issues. Situational self-criticism tied to specific patterns may shift in a few months of regular sessions. More pervasive beliefs rooted in early experiences, sometimes called schemas, typically take longer to work through. A therapist can give a more specific estimate after an initial assessment.

Is low self-esteem a mental health condition?

Low self-esteem is not a diagnosis on its own, but it commonly occurs alongside conditions like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. It can also be a primary concern that significantly affects quality of life without meeting criteria for a specific diagnosis. Therapy can address it in either case.

What is the difference between self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-compassion?

Self-esteem refers to how you value and regard yourself overall. Self-confidence is more specific to your belief in your ability to do things well. Self-compassion is about how you treat yourself when you struggle or fail. They are related but distinct, and different approaches in therapy may target one more than the others.

Can therapy for self-esteem be done online?

Yes. Many therapists offer self-esteem work through video sessions, and this format works well for talk-based approaches like CBT, ACT, and self-compassion programs. Some people find it easier to be honest about self-critical thoughts when talking from their own space. Check each therapist profile for available formats.

How is self-esteem therapy different from positive thinking or coaching?

Therapy examines why negative self-beliefs formed, how they are maintained, and what keeps them in place, rather than replacing them with positive statements. The goal is a realistic and stable self-view, not simply a more optimistic one. This tends to produce more durable change than affirmations or mindset coaching alone.

How do I find a self-esteem therapist in Vancouver?

Browse therapists in Vancouver who list self-esteem, self-worth, or inner critic work as areas of focus. Look for providers with experience in CBT, Schema Therapy, ACT, or self-compassion approaches, and check whether they offer in-person or online sessions based on your preference.

Is self-esteem therapy covered by insurance in Vancouver?

Coverage depends on your extended health benefits. If your therapist in Vancouver is a registered psychologist, psychotherapist, or social worker, sessions focused on self-esteem may be eligible for reimbursement under mental health coverage. Check your policy for eligible designations and annual limits.

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