Self-Esteem Therapy
If you live with a harsh inner voice, one that tells you that you are not good enough, not doing enough, or somehow getting it wrong, I want you to know that this is not the truth about who you are. And it does not have to stay this way.
I am Mark Greenaway-Robbins, a registered counsellor and psychotherapist with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I offer self-esteem therapy from my practice rooms in Islington, Cardiff, and online.
Low self-esteem and self-criticism are among the most painful things people carry, often quietly and for years. Therapy can help you understand where these patterns come from and build a kinder relationship with yourself.
Understanding Low Self-Esteem and Self-Criticism
Low self-esteem is not about having a bad day or feeling temporarily unsure of yourself. It is a deeper, more persistent sense that you are somehow lacking, flawed, or unworthy. It can colour every area of your life, from your relationships and your work to the way you speak to yourself in the quiet of your own mind.
Self-criticism often accompanies low self-esteem. You might notice a voice that constantly evaluates your performance, compares you to others, or tells you that you should be further along in life. This inner critic can feel so familiar that you mistake it for reality.
These patterns usually have roots. They may have formed in childhood through messages you received from family, school, or early relationships. They may have been reinforced by experiences of rejection, bullying, or feeling invisible. Understanding where they come from is often the first step towards loosening their grip.
How Self-Esteem Therapy Can Help
You might consider self-esteem therapy if you recognise any of the following:
- A persistent feeling that you are not good enough, despite evidence to the contrary
- Difficulty accepting compliments or acknowledging your achievements
- Comparing yourself unfavourably to others
- People-pleasing or saying yes when you want to say no
- Avoiding new opportunities because you fear failure or judgement
- A harsh inner critic that is quick to point out your mistakes
- Difficulty setting boundaries in relationships
- Feeling like an imposter at work or in your personal life
If any of this resonates, therapy can provide a space to explore these experiences with compassion and to develop a more balanced view of who you are. If anxiety is part of the picture too, we can work with both together.
How I Work With Self-Esteem
My approach combines exploration of where these patterns began with practical work on shifting them. We might look at the early experiences that shaped how you see yourself, the beliefs you carry about your worth, and the ways those beliefs play out in your daily life.
I pay particular attention to the relationship between us in the room, because how you relate to your therapist often mirrors how you relate to yourself and to others. If you find it hard to take up space, to express a need, or to believe that someone is genuinely interested in your experience, these are things we can gently explore together.
I bring warmth, patience, and honesty. I will not tell you to simply think positively. Instead, I will help you understand your inner critic, what it is trying to protect, and how to develop a voice that is more compassionate and more truthful. We work at a pace that feels right for you.
Why Work With Me?
As a queer, neurodiverse male therapist (autistic and ADHD), I understand what it feels like to navigate a world that does not always reflect you back in kind.
Many neurodivergent people and LGBTQ+ people carry particular experiences of self-doubt that are linked to identity, difference, and belonging. I bring that understanding to our work.
I have lived across cultures and continents, and I know that self-esteem is shaped not just by individual experience but by the wider systems we grow up in. I welcome clients from all backgrounds and I meet each person with genuine respect for their story.
I am a registered member of the BACP and I work within their Ethical Framework. I have regular supervision and I am committed to ongoing professional development.
Self-Esteem Therapy in Islington, Cardiff and Online
I offer self-esteem therapy from two practice locations and online across the UK:
- Islington, London: 1 Highbury Crescent, Highbury, N5 1RN. In-person sessions available on Thursdays.
- Cardiff: Sophia House, 28 Cathedral Rd, Pontcanna, CF11 9LJ. In-person sessions available Mondays to Wednesdays.
- Online: Sessions via Zoom, available Monday to Thursday.
Fees: Individual therapy £90 per 50-minute session (London) | £75 per 50-minute session (Cardiff).
Take the First Step
Reaching out for help with self-esteem takes courage, especially when your inner critic is telling you that you do not deserve it. Whatever brings you here, we can explore it together. I offer a free brief phone call so we can get a sense of whether we are a good fit, before you commit to anything.
Contact me on 07534 599 233, by text, or reach out through my contact page. Sessions can be weekly, fortnightly, or more spaced out, whatever fits your life.
Yes. Self-esteem is not a fixed trait. It is a pattern of thinking and relating that has been learned over time, and with the right support it can shift. Many of my clients experience meaningful changes in how they see themselves through our work together.
This thought is itself a common feature of low self-esteem, the feeling that you do not deserve support or that someone else needs it more. You do not need a crisis to benefit from therapy. If something feels difficult, that is enough.
The core skills are the same, but in self-esteem work we pay particular attention to your relationship with yourself. We look at the beliefs you hold about your worth, where they came from, and how they show up in your life. It is focused and purposeful.
Sometimes, if we agree it would be helpful. This might include noticing when your inner critic is active, practising self-compassion, or experimenting with new ways of responding to familiar situations. But there is no pressure. We work at a pace that feels right for you.
Absolutely. Many autistic people and people with ADHD have spent years trying to fit into systems that were not designed for them. This can lead to deep feelings of inadequacy that are not about personal failings but about living in a world that does not always accommodate difference. As a neurodivergent therapist, I understand this from personal experience.