I Have Very Low Self-Esteem, Would Psychotherapy Help?

by Richard B. Patterson, Ph.D.

Question: I have very poor self-esteem. One of the ways it shows up is from bad scars I have from cutting on myself. I am wondering if psychotherapy would help. I have never been sexually abused and so I am not sure.

Psychotherapy can be of great value 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.

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.

Originally published 09/21/98
Revised 05/05/09 by Marlene M. Maheu, Ph.D.

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