Have you noticed any of the following behaviors with your teenager?

• Negative self talk
• Being hard on self
• Hesitant to try new things for fear of failure
• Isolation or refusal to engage in social situations

If you have noticed one or more of the above, your teenager might be struggling with low self esteem. Self esteem is important, especially for a teenager in a critical developmental period. Teenagers with high self esteem are able to have a sense of pride in themselves, feel accepted by peers and family, and believe in themselves.

What influences self esteem?

As a teenager, family, friends, teachers, and coaches all have an impact on self esteem. Being a teen can be hard, with juggling responsibilities such as school, sports, family time, socializing with friends, and other extracurricular activities. The people in the different areas of your teen’s life will have a lasting impact on how they view themselves. Patient teachers, encouraging coaches, and well connected parents and guardians all contribute to a healthy sense of self and positive self esteem.

How can a therapist help improve my teen’s self esteem and confidence?

In addition to outside influences, self esteem is shaped through self talk and experiences. If your teen struggles with speaking negatively to themselves, such as stating things like, “I could never be good at that” or “No one wants to be friends with me”, then a therapist can help them identify these statements and learn healthier coping strategies. Your teenager’s therapist will give them the safe and supportive space to process any events that negatively impact their self esteem, and can help teach them how our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected so they can learn better ways of coping. By setting clear and attainable goals with your teen, their therapist is helping them reach these goals and obtain a sense of achievement and autonomy over their life. By investing in therapy for your teenager, you are also investing in their future as an independent, happy and healthy adult.