Medically reviewed by Gabriela Asturias, MD on May 23, 2025If low self-esteem is affecting your confidence, decisions, relationships, school, or work in Radford, this page can help you understand the pattern and choose support that fits your needs.
Psychologist
1829 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514
Justine Grosso is a Psychologist in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and has been in practice for 10 years. They treat Self Esteem, Perfectionism, Relationship(s) with Parents/Children/Family.
Integrative, somatic, trauma-informed psychotherapy. "You're not broken, your nervous system is trying to protect you."
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, Relationship(s) with Parents/Children/Family.
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, Suicidal Ideation, Relationship(s) with Friends/Roommates.
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, Loneliness/Isolation, Spiritual/Religious Concerns.
I help people overcome anxiety, depression, and stress stemming from relationships or past experiences, in individual or couples counseling.
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, Depression, Substance Use.
Therapy for teens, adults & couples navigating anxiety, overthinking, people-pleasing, and relationship stress toward clarity and connection.
Psychologist
Remote only
Christy Hofsess is a Psychologist in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 4 years. They treat Self Esteem, Trauma, Intimacy Concerns.
My mission is to help individuals and couples reach their full potential for connection and growth using a holistic and culturally responsive approach.
Self-esteem is how you think and feel about your worth, capabilities, and place in relationships. Low self-esteem can show up as harsh self-talk, shame, anxiety, body tension, avoidance, people-pleasing, or fear of making mistakes.
Self-esteem concerns can be shaped by stress, past criticism, bullying, family conflict, trauma, anxiety, depression, social comparison, and repeated setbacks. They are not a personal flaw, and they can improve with support and practice.
What you might notice internally:
- Doubting your judgment or abilities
- Assuming others are judging you
- Feeling embarrassed, ashamed, or overly responsible
- Replaying small mistakes for a long time
- Needing reassurance before simple decisions
What others might notice:
- Turning down invitations or opportunities
- Apologizing often or taking blame quickly
- Struggling to accept praise or recognition
- Avoiding speaking up in class, work, or relationships
- Comparing yourself to others and feeling worse afterward
Self-esteem treatment often focuses on changing unhelpful beliefs, practicing new behaviors, and building steadier routines.
- CBT helps identify self-critical thoughts and replace them with more balanced ones.
- ACT helps you act on values even when self-doubt is present.
- DBT skills support emotion regulation, boundaries, and conflict management.
- Trauma-informed therapy can support safety, trust, and self-worth when past experiences are part of the pattern.
- Peer or group support can reduce shame and isolation.
Start with providers who treat self-esteem, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship concerns, or student stress. Ask how they approach self-esteem work, how sessions are structured, what progress might look like, whether they offer telehealth, and how insurance, costs, scheduling, and waitlists work.
Radford is compact, but local provider options may be limited and demand can rise during college semesters. Campus-based services may be useful for students, while community services can help with broader navigation. If transportation is limited outside the town core, ask about online sessions and appointment times that fit school, work, or caregiving.
Use practical supports that connect directly to confidence-building and stability:
- Contact New River Valley Community Services or NAMI New River Valley for behavioral health navigation, crisis support, education, or peer/family connection.
- Radford University Counseling and Psychological Services can be a starting point for students.
- Use Bisset Park, Wildwood Park, Radford Riverway Trail, Sunset Park, or Dudley's Landing for low-pressure movement and short confidence-building routines.
- Pick one small daily goal and track effort, not perfection.
- Practice one balanced replacement thought when self-criticism shows up.
Call 988 or 911 if low self-esteem includes suicidal thoughts, self-harm, inability to stay safe, severe panic, or immediate danger. Local urgent options include New River Valley Community Services Crisis Line at 540-961-8400, NRVCS Mobile Crisis Team, Carilion New River Valley Medical Center, and LewisGale Hospital Montgomery.
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 Radford, it may help to tie practice to predictable parts of the week, such as campus routines, compact-town travel, work shifts, or outdoor 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-esteem is affecting daily life, school, work, relationships, or your ability to try things that matter to you.
What if I do not connect with my therapist?
You can ask for a different pace, style, or approach. If it still does not feel right, looking for another provider is reasonable.
Is online therapy effective for self-esteem?
Yes. Online care can work well when transportation, local availability, or semester waitlists make in-person care difficult.
What should I ask a potential therapist?
Ask about self-esteem experience, treatment approach, session structure, goals, telehealth, fees, insurance, and wait times.
Does therapy for self-esteem work?
Therapy can help you reduce harsh self-judgment, practice confidence-building skills, and build a more balanced view of yourself.
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.
