Self Esteem

If you struggle with low self-esteem that negatively affects quality of life, mood, or behavior, see marriage and family therapist Jill Akuna, LMFT, at JMA Services LLC in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. She offers counseling that can boost self-esteem and your outlook on life. Schedule an appointment with Jill at JMA Services LLC by calling the office or requesting a visit online today.

What is self-esteem?

Self-esteem, or your self-image, is the way you feel about yourself. People with low self-esteem often have negative thoughts about themselves and the way they perceive others think about them. Studies show that low self-esteem is a risk factor for mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety. 

Therapy with Jill at JMA Services LLC can help you discover ways to gain confidence and enjoy life to its fullest. 

What are the signs of low self-esteem?

Signs of low self-esteem may include:

• Avoiding situations due to a fear of failing
• Quitting soon after attempting a task
• Lying or cheating to appear more successful
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Being bossy or mean to hide feelings of inadequacy
• Anger
• Social withdrawal
• Loss of interest in favorite activities
• Making self-critical comments
• Being strongly affected by peer influences
• Being overly concerned about what other people think
• Difficulty accepting criticism or praise
• Feeling hopeless, helpless, or worthless 
• Thoughts of self-harm

Low self-esteem can hold you back from being the best version of yourself, causing you to avoid situations due to a fear of being judged or failing.

What can cause low self-esteem?

Causes of low self-esteem may include:

• Name-calling or criticism by others
• Being bullied
• Failing at something
• Bad grades at school
• Poor performance at work
• Carrying excess weight
• Having few or no friends
• Being unique/not fitting in
• Mental health conditions 

It could stem from unrealistic inner thoughts about yourself or belittling comments made by family, friends, co-workers, or even strangers.

How can therapy help increase self-esteem?

Therapy sessions with Jill at JMA Services LLC offer effective ways to overcome negative self-thoughts and behaviors. She uses cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other methods to help you combat negative self-talk.

Jill can also address mental health challenges that may occur with low self-esteem, such as:

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Anxiety disorders
• Autism-spectrum disorder (ASD)
• Depression
• Substance use disorder (SUD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Grief
• Eating disorders
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Stress
• Relationship conflicts
• Verbal, physical, or sexual abuse
• Neglect
• Difficult life transitions
• Gender dysphoria and other LGBT-related concerns

She offers individual therapy, couples therapy, teen therapy, family therapy, and addiction counseling.

You can meet with Jill weekly or as needed for counseling to boost self-esteem. She creates client-centered therapy sessions and takes a holistic, integrative approach.

Schedule self-esteem-based counseling with Jill at JMA Services LLC by phone or online today.