Find a Therapist for Self-Esteem in Salt Lake City

Medically reviewed by Gabriela Asturias, MD on May 23, 2025
Written by the MiResource team

If you’re looking for help with Self-Esteem in Salt Lake City, you’re in the right place. This page can help you learn more about the condition and find local clinicians who may offer support, with options to consider based on your needs.

  • Michelle Litwer, Psychologist

    Michelle Litwer

    Psychologist

    Remote only

    Michelle Litwer is a Psychologist in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 8 years. They treat Self Esteem, Personality Disorders, Postpartum Depression.

    My main objective is to help clients manage their emotions, make decisions that are line with their values, and to live fulfilling and meaningful lives.

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  • Christy Hofsess, Psychologist

    Christy Hofsess

    Psychologist

    Remote only

    Christy Hofsess is a Psychologist in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 4 years. They treat Self Esteem, Premarital Issues, Parenting Concerns.

    My mission is to help individuals and couples reach their full potential for connection and growth using a holistic and culturally responsive approach.

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  • Robert Buzan, Psychologist

    Robert Buzan

    Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Counselor

    920B Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514

    Robert Buzan is a Psychologist in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. They treat Self Esteem, Work/Life Balance, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

    I am a clinical psychologist with extensive experience working with college students via telehealth. I welcome clients of all backgrounds.

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  • Auran Piatigorsky, PhD, LP, CMPC, Sport Psychologist

    Auran Piatigorsky, PhD, LP, CMPC

    Sport Psychologist

    Remote only

    Auran Piatigorsky, PhD, LP, CMPC is a Sport Psychologist in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 30 years. They treat Self Esteem, Compulsive Exercise, College and School Placement.

    Licensed Clinical Sport Psychologist — services for mental health care & performance enhancement

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  • Joel Harris, Psychotherapist

    Joel Harris

    Psychotherapist, Psychologist

    Remote only

    Joel Harris is a Psychotherapist in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 23 years. They treat Self Esteem, Social Anxiety, Sleep Concerns.

    I am a licensed psychologist with openings this week for virtual therapy. I am also registered with PSYPACT and can see people in over 40 states.

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  • Vanessa Chafos, Certified Mental Performance Consultant

    Vanessa Chafos

    Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Counselor, Psychotherapist, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Psychologist, Sport Psychologist

    247 Nassau Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08540

    Vanessa Chafos is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant in Princeton, New Jersey. They treat Self Esteem, Eating Concerns, Chronic Illness/Pain.

    Accepting new clients. I am passionate about helping athletes reach their goals by harnessing their inner strengths and learning mental tools.

    View profile

Understanding Self-Esteem

Self-esteem refers to how a person sees their own worth and value. It can affect thoughts, emotions, body sensations, and behavior, shaping how someone talks to themselves, handles setbacks, and relates to other people. For some people it shows up as mild self-doubt; for others it becomes more disruptive and can interfere with daily life, decision-making, and relationships. It may be connected to feeling overly critical, ashamed, anxious, withdrawn, or unable to trust positive feedback. This is a recognized mental health concern and not a personal flaw.

Having a clear label can make it easier to describe what is happening and look for the right kind of support. It can also help people in Salt Lake City find approaches that fit their needs, whether they are looking for counseling, skills for coping, or help understanding patterns that keep repeating. A name for the problem can make conversations with support providers more focused and practical.

Common Signs and Symptoms

In Salt Lake City, self-esteem can look different from person to person, and it may change based on stress, relationships, or life changes. Some people show it quietly, while others seem confident on the outside but still struggle inside.

  • Negative self-talk or harsh inner criticism
  • Feeling not good enough, even after doing well
  • Having trouble accepting compliments
  • Comparing yourself to others a lot
  • Avoiding new challenges because of fear of failure
  • Needing a lot of reassurance from others
  • Feeling embarrassed or overly sensitive to mistakes
  • Struggling to speak up for your needs or opinions

Why This Happens

Self-esteem usually reflects a mix of biological, psychological, and environmental influences, rather than one clear cause. It can be shaped by temperament, stress, repeated criticism or rejection, trauma, depression or anxiety, and experiences at school, work, or home. In a place like Salt Lake City, factors such as winter travel challenges, uneven transit access, and delays in getting care can sometimes add stress and make it harder to build confidence. Low self-esteem is not a personal failing; it often develops over time from the pressures and experiences a person has faced.

How Treatment Works

Treatment is usually a mix of skills, support, and sometimes medication, depending on your symptoms and goals. Many people do best when care is matched to what is getting in the way day to day, such as low confidence, harsh self-talk, anxiety, or stress.

  • CBT can help you notice unhelpful thoughts and practice replacing them with more balanced ones. This often makes it easier to handle criticism, setbacks, and everyday decisions.
  • ACT can support you in making choices based on your values instead of on self-doubt. It can be useful when you want to feel more steady even if uncomfortable feelings still show up.
  • DBT skills can help with managing intense emotions and building steadier habits. These tools can make it easier to respond calmly in relationships and under pressure.
  • Trauma-informed therapy may help if past experiences have affected how you see yourself. It focuses on safety, trust, and building a stronger sense of worth over time.
  • Group therapy or peer support can remind you that you are not alone and can offer practical encouragement from others with similar struggles. Simple support like sleep routines, stress management, and steady lifestyle habits can also help you feel more grounded day to day.

In Salt Lake City, focus on finding a provider who is experienced with Self-Esteem and feels like a good fit.

Finding the right provider in Salt Lake City

To find the right Self-Esteem therapist in Salt Lake City, start by searching specifically for providers who work with self-esteem concerns. Use filters to narrow results by insurance, availability, and the kind of approach you prefer. This can help you focus on options that fit both your needs and your budget, especially since insurance-based systems dominate care and waitlists are common. Personal fit matters too, because feeling comfortable with a therapist can make it easier to open up and stay engaged in treatment. Salt Lake City’s grid layout supports driving, but transit reach is uneven and winter weather can affect travel, so location and scheduling are worth considering. MiResource makes comparing options easier.

Local Care Logistics in Salt Lake City

Getting to self-esteem care in Salt Lake City can be easier if you plan around the city’s grid layout and choose the neighborhood that fits your routine, whether that is Downtown Salt Lake City, Sugar House, The Avenues, Capitol Hill, Central City, Liberty Wells, Ballpark, Rose Park, Glendale, East Bench, Foothill, or the Marmalade District. Driving is often practical, but traffic and winter weather can make trips slower, and transit reach is uneven, so leaving extra time helps. Parking and session times may be simpler to manage with midday or early evening appointments. When schedules are tight, telehealth can reduce travel stress and make it easier to keep regular visits during busy weeks or bad weather.

Taking Care of Your Mental Health in Salt Lake City

In Salt Lake City, symptoms can spike when daily stress piles up. Winter inversions and air quality concerns can make people feel more drained, and winter weather can also make travel harder in a city where transit is uneven and driving often matters. Transportation and commuter traffic can add pressure at busy times, especially around Downtown Salt Lake City, the University of Utah area, and other busy corridors. Symptoms may also rise during summer tourism and outdoor event peaks, when crowds and schedules get busier. University and academic calendar cycles can bring their own swings in routine and expectations. Holiday retail and service demand shifts may add strain too. Rapid population growth, housing affordability pressures, and limited in-network mental health availability can make stress feel more intense when support is harder to access.

When to Seek Immediate Help

If low self-esteem is leading to thoughts of self-harm, an inability to stay safe, or a sudden crisis that feels out of control, use emergency services right away. Call 988 or 911 if there is immediate danger, or go to an emergency department such as University of Utah Hospital, LDS Hospital, St. Mark’s Hospital, or Intermountain Medical Center. If the situation is urgent but not clearly life-threatening, the Salt Lake County Crisis Line (801-587-3000) or Salt Lake County Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) via Utah Crisis Line/University of Utah Health can help. Because Salt Lake City has a grid layout, driving is often practical, but transit reach is uneven and winter weather can make travel harder.

  1. Watch for a crisis: thoughts of self-harm, feeling unable to stay safe, or a sudden severe emotional spiral.
  2. If there is immediate danger, call 911 or 988 right away; if urgent but not immediate, call the Salt Lake County Crisis Line (801-587-3000) or the Salt Lake County Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) via Utah Crisis Line/University of Utah Health.
  3. Go to the nearest emergency department if you need in-person help, including University of Utah Hospital, LDS Hospital, St. Mark’s Hospital, or Intermountain Medical Center.
  4. Expect a safety check, questions about what happened, and help deciding the next step for urgent care and support.

Common Questions About Self-Esteem

Q: How do I know if I need a therapist for self-esteem? A: If low self-esteem is affecting your relationships, work, school, or daily mood, therapy may help. It can also be a good fit if you often doubt yourself, feel stuck in comparison, or struggle to accept praise. You do not need to be in a crisis to reach out. A therapist can help you build a more balanced view of yourself.

Q: What if I don’t feel a connection with my therapist? A: That can happen, and it does not mean therapy will not work for you. A good fit matters, so it is okay to share what is not working or look for someone else. You deserve a therapist you can trust and speak honestly with. In Salt Lake City, transportation and weather can make scheduling harder, so a therapist who offers flexible options may be helpful.

Q: Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy for self-esteem? A: Online therapy can be very helpful for self-esteem, especially if you want easier access or fewer travel challenges. In-person sessions may feel better if you prefer face-to-face conversation and a stronger sense of connection. The best choice is often the one you can attend consistently. Winter weather and uneven transit in Salt Lake City can make online care especially practical.

Q: What should I ask a potential therapist for self-esteem? A: You can ask about their experience helping people with self-esteem concerns and how they approach building confidence and self-compassion. It is also useful to ask what a typical session looks like and how they measure progress. If cost matters, ask whether they take insurance or offer private pay options, since access can vary. You can also ask about availability, since waitlists are common.

Q: Does therapy for self-esteem really work? A: Yes, therapy can help many people improve self-esteem over time. It often works by helping you notice unhelpful thoughts, challenge harsh self-criticism, and practice healthier ways of relating to yourself. Progress may feel gradual, but small changes can add up. The most important part is finding a therapist and approach that fit your needs.

Local Resources in Salt Lake City

MiResource can help you search for clinicians in Salt Lake City, UT who treat Self-Esteem. You can filter by insurance, specialty, and availability to find someone who fits your needs.

Find care for you

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.

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