Medically reviewed by Gabriela Asturias, MD on May 23, 2025If low self-esteem is affecting your confidence, relationships, work, school, or daily choices in Tulsa, this page can help you understand symptoms, compare care options, and plan around local access.
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, Grief and Loss, Burnout.
Integrative, somatic, trauma-informed psychotherapy. "You're not broken, your nervous system is trying to protect you."
Psychologist
Remote only
Christy Hofsess is a Psychologist in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 4 years. They treat Self Esteem, Personal Growth, Pregnancy/Loss of Pregnancy.
My mission is to help individuals and couples reach their full potential for connection and growth using a holistic and culturally responsive approach.
Psychologist, Sport Psychologist
7401 Metro Boulevard, Edina, Minnesota 55424
Carlin Anderson is a Psychologist in Edina, Minnesota and has been in practice for 22 years. They treat Self Esteem, Peer Difficulties, Personal Growth.
Grounded in empathy and evidence-based interventions, we are 20+ sport psychology experts providing service & care to individuals, teams, & sport orgs.
Psychotherapist, Psychologist
255 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
Hider Shaaban is a Psychotherapist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They treat Self Esteem, Perfectionism, Relationship(s) with Parents/Children/Family.
Your emotional wellbeing is our priority. We will work together to not just get you unstuck, but help you thrive and flourish.
Counselor, Psychotherapist, Psychologist
920B Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514
Robert Buzan is a Counselor in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. They treat Self Esteem, Loneliness/Isolation, Burnout.
I am a clinical psychologist with extensive experience working with college students via telehealth. I welcome clients of all backgrounds.
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, Learning Disorder, Medication Concerns.
Licensed Clinical Sport Psychologist — services for mental health care & performance enhancement
Self-esteem is how a person values and perceives themself, including beliefs about worth, competence, and belonging. Low self-esteem can show up as self-criticism, shame, anxiety, body tension, avoidance, people-pleasing, or shutting down when overwhelmed.
Self-esteem can be shaped by temperament, life experiences, criticism, bullying, trauma, perfectionism, discrimination, isolation, sleep problems, chronic health issues, and major life changes. It is not a personal failing.
What you might notice internally:
- Harsh thoughts such as I am not good enough
- Second-guessing decisions or overpreparing
- Tight chest, stomach knots, fatigue, or restlessness
- Shame, frustration, or anxiety around feedback
- Feeling stuck after small mistakes
What others might notice:
- Avoiding challenges or new situations
- People-pleasing or difficulty setting boundaries
- Shutting down when overwhelmed
- Seeking reassurance frequently
- Comparing yourself to others and pulling back afterward
Self-esteem treatment often includes therapy, skills practice, and support for related symptoms.
- CBT can help challenge harsh self-talk and build balanced thinking.
- ACT can help you keep moving toward values even when self-doubt is present.
- DBT skills can support emotion regulation, boundaries, and distress tolerance.
- Trauma-informed therapy can help if past experiences shaped self-worth.
- Peer support or group therapy can provide encouragement and practice with feedback.
Choose a therapist licensed in Oklahoma who works with self-esteem, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, or confidence-building. Ask about treatment approach, early-session goals, between-session practice, telehealth, office location, fees, insurance, sliding scale, parking, and waitlists.
Tulsa is car-dependent, public transit is limited, and cross-city trips can take time. Providers may cluster around Downtown, Midtown, South Tulsa, and Brookside. Telehealth, early morning or evening slots, cancellation lists, and multiple waitlists can reduce delays when provider capacity is limited.
Use resources and routines that reinforce self-esteem work:
- Contact Mental Health Association Oklahoma, NAMI Tulsa, Family & Children's Services, CREOKS Health Services, Counseling & Recovery Services of Oklahoma, or Parkside Psychiatric Hospital & Clinic for behavioral health support or navigation.
- Use 211 Eastern Oklahoma, HeartLine Oklahoma, Tulsa Health Department, or Oklahoma Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services for navigation and crisis-related resources.
- Take a short walk at River Parks, Woodward Park, Gathering Place, LaFortune Park, Chandler Park, or Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness.
- Keep a Small Wins list on your phone and review it when self-criticism gets loud.
- Practice one confidence rep each day: one boundary, one decision, one message, or one task you complete without perfection.
Call 988 or 911 if low self-esteem includes suicidal thoughts, self-harm, inability to stay safe, severe hopelessness, or immediate danger. Local options include COPES Tulsa Crisis Line at 918-744-4800, COPES Mobile Crisis Response, Ascension St. John Medical Center, Saint Francis Hospital, Oklahoma State University Medical Center, and Hillcrest 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 Tulsa, it may help to tie practice to predictable parts of the week, such as long cross-city drives, work schedules, limited transit, or park routines. 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 negative self-talk, self-criticism, or doubt affects work, relationships, decisions, or daily life.
What if I do not connect with my therapist?
You can share what is not working or try another provider. A brief consult or telehealth trial can help before committing to a commute.
Is online therapy effective for self-esteem?
Yes. Online therapy can work well and may be easier in a car-dependent city with limited public transit.
What should I ask a potential therapist?
Ask about self-esteem experience, treatment approach, goals, practice between sessions, fees, insurance, telehealth, office location, and waitlists.
Does therapy for self-esteem work?
Therapy can help people recognize harsh beliefs, build self-compassion, and take more confident action over time.
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.
