Self-help Articles

by Richard B. Patterson, Ph.D.

Psychotherapy can be of great value for building self esteem. It is helpful for a wide variety of problems and is not limited to sexual abuse.

I would certainly encourage you to look into it as an option for healing. There are several very helpful articles about psychotherapy in this magazine.

As far as your history of self-abuse is concerned, take some hope from the fact that this pattern of behavior is coming under more study. We now know, for example, that for many persons it is not an act of suicide but rather a misguided attempt to release blocked emotions.

It can even take on an addictive quality. Many people who injure themselves are typically intelligent, high-achieving persons who have developed some perfectionist personality patterns.

Psychotherapy could help you learn how to express your emotions more productively and could also help you heal from any childhood hurts which have fueled any perfectionism. The right therapist can put you on the path to building self esteem.

About the Author:

Richard B. Patterson, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist in private practice in El Paso, TX. He is the author of three books on psychology and spirituality.