[jessally]

Hi everyone, in 2 weeks I will have my first therapy appointment for self-esteems issues. I've struggled with low self-esteem for years and it's affecting many aspects of my life so I finally decided to get help for it.

I'm really nervous about starting though. I'm scared that therapy won't help me at all. I know exactly where my issues come from, so I don't need help identifying that, I just need to fix it. I've tried all the self help books and articles in the world and so far nothing has helped, but I'm sure a professional can do better, right? I'm just nervous, so any advice or experiences anyone can offer would be great!

[Bill3]

Whan I started seeing a therapist I, too, had a good idea where my issues came from, and my T agreed with me. But one thing that I got from therapy was a better understanding of just how pervasive the issues were: They were showing up in areas of my life that I didn't even realize they were. So the T helped me to a deeper understanding--and to better ways of working on the problems.

[ManOfConstantSorrow]

I suspect everyone feels like this at the outset, but I have found therapy helpful and it is probably not possible to do much to help yourself alone.

Be brave, it won't necessarily be easy and sometimes quite hard, but perhaps you owe it to yourself to take this bold step.

[musinglizzy]

When I went into therapy a year ago, I questioned it myself. I didn't think it was possible to change my thinking and feel better. Keep in mind, it can take a LONG time. I'm still in therapy, and I don't think, as far as my negative feelings towards myself and other things, I'm anywhere close to being "healed." But I have seen some changes in myself since starting therapy, I'm more open, more blunt. I'm saying things as I see them and willing to tell people what's on my mind, even if it's not good. My dad is currently living with us. He was whining about being hungry the other day. The old me would have catered to him. The new me just blew him off somewhat by saying "well make yourself something to eat then!" May sound harsh, but I live with three males and it's trying at times. They all look to me for the answers, and it drains me. So now, I say it like it is...and think they'll even turn out better for it. So you may notice change, just not in where you thought, yet. Give it a try. I suggest talking to your T about boundaries right off the bat, so you know where you both sit.