Medically reviewed by Gabriela Asturias, MD on May 23, 2025If low self-esteem is affecting your confidence, school, work, or relationships in Harrisonburg, this page can help you understand symptoms, plan for access, and use local supports that fit your life.
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Remote only
Heather Whitney is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 30 years. They treat Self Esteem, School Concerns, Trauma.
I have a group practice. We have combined over 26 years of experience. We work with our clients to empower them to live their best lives.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
900 Granby Street, Norfolk, Virginia 23510
Staci Briggs is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Norfolk, Virginia and has been in practice for 7 years. They treat Self Esteem, Social Anxiety, Academic Concerns.
You don’t have to carry life’s challenges on your own.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
5540 Falmouth Street, Richmond, Virginia 23230
Stephen Barlow is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Richmond, Virginia. They treat Self Esteem, Relationship(s) with Friends/Roommates, Spiritual/Religious Concerns.
I help people overcome anxiety, depression, and stress stemming from relationships or past experiences, in individual or couples counseling.
Pre-Licensed Professional
259 Hydraulic Ridge Road, Charlottesville, Virginia 22901
Peter Kaiser is a Pre-Licensed Professional in Charlottesville, Virginia and has been in practice for 1 years. They treat Self Esteem, Peer Difficulties, Perfectionism.
I welcome clients of all backgrounds, identities, and life experiences, and I bring warmth, honesty, and my authentic self to every counseling session.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
4000 Olympia Circle, Charlottesville, Virginia 22911
Brittany Sullivan is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Charlottesville, Virginia and has been in practice for 2 years. They treat Self Esteem, Relationship(s) with Parents/Children/Family, Perfectionism.
Therapy for teens, adults & couples navigating anxiety, overthinking, people-pleasing, and relationship stress toward clarity and connection.
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
812 East High Street, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
Susan Dendtler is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in Charlottesville, Virginia and has been in practice for 17 years. They treat Self Esteem, Women's Issues, Loneliness/Isolation.
I am here to help couples and individuals to have less conflict and more connection and fulfillment in their relationships.
Self-esteem is how you view and value yourself, including your sense of worth and capability. Low self-esteem can affect thoughts, emotions, body sensations, and behavior. It may show up as self-criticism, shame, anxiety, fatigue, avoidance, perfectionism, or people-pleasing.
Self-esteem concerns can be shaped by temperament, family dynamics, early experiences, stress, trauma, discrimination, academic pressure, job pressure, chronic health issues, and social comparison. They are not a personal weakness.
What you might notice internally:
- Frequent self-criticism or rumination
- Deflecting compliments or assuming praise is not deserved
- Fear of making the wrong decision
- Comparing yourself to others and feeling deflated
- Feeling tense, ashamed, or overwhelmed after feedback
What others might notice:
- Apologizing often or taking blame to keep the peace
- Avoiding speaking up or stating preferences
- Putting off new tasks because they may not be done perfectly
- Seeking reassurance repeatedly
- Withdrawing from school, work, or relationships
Treatment often combines therapy, skills practice, peer support, and practical routines.
- CBT can help change harsh self-talk and build balanced thinking.
- ACT can help you take action based on values, not fear.
- DBT skills can support boundaries, emotion regulation, and conflict management.
- Trauma-informed therapy can help rebuild safety and self-worth at a manageable pace.
- Group or peer support can provide practice and encouragement.
Look for a therapist licensed in Virginia who works with self-esteem, anxiety, depression, trauma, perfectionism, or student stress. Ask about approach, what a typical session looks like, how goals are tracked, whether telehealth is available, and how insurance, fees, waitlists, and academic-year demand may affect access.
Provider demand may rise around James Madison University and Eastern Mennonite University. The bus system is centered on campus and has limited reach elsewhere, so location and scheduling matter. Downtown, Old Town, the University Area, Purcell Park Area, and surrounding neighborhoods may require different transportation plans. Telehealth and cancellation lists can help when waitlists are long.
Use local resources and small confidence-building routines that connect directly to self-esteem work:
- Contact Rockingham Harrisonburg Community Services Board, Sentara RMH Outpatient Behavioral Health, or Harrisonburg Community Health Center for care navigation or behavioral health support.
- Students can explore James Madison University, Eastern Mennonite University, or Blue Ridge Community College counseling/student support options.
- Use NAMI-style peer education if available regionally, or ask local providers about groups for anxiety, depression, confidence, or skills-building.
- Take a 10-15 minute walk on Bluestone Trail, Purcell Park, or Edith J. Carrier Arboretum and name one thing you handled decently.
- Track effort instead of outcome: one email, one meal, one task, one honest sentence.
Call 988 or 911 if low self-esteem includes suicidal thoughts, self-harm, inability to stay safe, severe distress, or immediate danger. Local options include Harrisonburg-Rockingham CSB Emergency Services at 540-434-1941, Children's Mobile Crisis through the CSB, and Sentara RMH Medical Center.
A first self-esteem therapy session usually focuses on when self-criticism shows up, what situations make confidence drop, and how low self-esteem affects relationships, school, work, body image, boundaries, or decision-making. A therapist may ask about anxiety, depression, trauma, bullying, family messages, social comparison, sleep, and stress because self-esteem often overlaps with other concerns.
Over time, therapy may include identifying unhelpful beliefs, practicing more balanced self-talk, setting small goals, building assertiveness, and learning how to handle feedback without spiraling. Progress is often gradual. The goal is not to feel confident every minute; it is to build a steadier sense of worth and more flexible ways to respond when doubt appears. Therapy can also help you practice repair after mistakes, notice strengths without dismissing them, and make choices based on values instead of fear.
Self-esteem improves faster when therapy skills are practiced in ordinary moments. Start with one repeatable exercise: write down a harsh thought, replace it with a fairer sentence, and take one small action that supports the fairer view. Examples include sending a message, asking a question, taking a walk, applying for something, asking for help, or saying no to a request you cannot realistically manage.
In Harrisonburg, it may help to tie practice to predictable parts of the week, such as JMU or EMU calendars, campus-centered transit, service-sector schedules, or park walks. Keep the plan small enough to repeat during busy weeks. If transportation, cost, weather, or waitlists make therapy inconsistent, ask about telehealth, group options, campus services, sliding-scale care, or community supports while you continue practicing the skills you already have.
How do I know if I need a therapist?
Therapy may help if self-criticism, avoidance, reassurance-seeking, or shame affects school, work, relationships, or daily choices.
What if I do not connect with my therapist?
Share what is not working if you can. If the fit still does not feel right, it is okay to switch or ask for referrals.
Is online therapy effective for self-esteem?
Yes. Online therapy can help when transportation, campus-centered bus routes, or waitlists make in-person care difficult.
What should I ask a potential therapist?
Ask about self-esteem experience, perfectionism, confidence-building, session structure, costs, insurance, telehealth, and wait times.
Does therapy for self-esteem work?
Therapy can help people challenge harsh beliefs, build self-compassion, and practice new confidence-building behaviors.
Recovery is possible. With early intervention, a supportive community, and the right professional care, you can overcome challenges and build a fulfilling life. We’re here to help you find the support you need.
