I think overall there has been a net positive impact on my self-esteem. But I do think there is a serious risk with the wrong therapist at the wrong time to make it worse. I became the most suicidal I have ever been when I was working with a therapist who was not good for me. That's been more than 15 years ago now though, and looking back I think I learned a lot from her...mostly what I *don't* want in a therapist, and that I am strong enough to fire them if they are wrong for me.