CBT for Low Self Esteem in London

With a National Award (BACP) for clinical excellence in therapy provision, Maggie Morrow founded Klearminds in 2008 and brings you a team of highly experienced therapists in London providing CBT therapy to help you build confidence, strengthen self-worth and develop a positive and empowering relationship with yourself.

Let us take the self-doubt out of finding the right therapist. With over 30 years of expertise, our Clinical Directors can recommend the best therapist to help you understand, manage and overcome low self-esteem.

We offer therapy rooms in Central London, the City of London and online therapy options.

Modern design of living room interior

KlearMinds Unique CBT Therapy for Self-Esteem

Low self-esteem is rarely just “a confidence issue.” It often shows up as persistent self-doubt, harsh self-criticism, overthinking, people-pleasing, perfectionism, or fear of getting things wrong. Over time, it can affect your relationships, decisions and ability to feel secure in yourself.

Our highly skilled therapists combine CBT for self-esteem with a tailored blend of evidence-based therapies. Research shows that this integrated approach leads to longer-lasting change than CBT alone. Through this work, you will learn practical tools to challenge negative self-beliefs, build healthier thinking habits and develop a more balanced, confident view of yourself.

At KlearMinds, our experienced therapists can help you:

  • Understand the root causes and patterns that shape low self-esteem, so you can stop feeling stuck and begin making sense of why confidence has been difficult to maintain.
  • Identify triggers that activate self-doubt, self-criticism, or feelings of inadequacy, so you can respond differently instead of automatically slipping into negative thinking.
  • Challenge and reframe unhelpful thinking styles that undermine confidence, so your self-worth is no longer shaped by perfectionism, comparison, or fear of judgment.
  • Build practical tools to manage anxiety, uncertainty, and self-criticism more effectively, so you feel calmer, more grounded, and better able to cope in everyday situations.
  • Strengthen emotional resilience and develop a more self-supportive inner dialogue, so setbacks no longer lead to spirals of shame or self-blame.
  • Improve decision-making, boundary-setting, and problem-solving with greater clarity, so you feel more confident expressing your needs and making choices that reflect your values.
  • Build lasting confidence and a stronger sense of self-worth, so you feel more secure in yourself and more able to satisfyingly engage in relationships, work, and life.

Our integrative CBT approach is designed to deliver tangible, life-changing benefits. Beyond reducing the symptoms of low self-esteem, our experienced therapists help you build long-term emotional resilience and inner strength.

CBT for Low Self Esteem Counselling Reviews

Change Negative Patterns overcome Trauma
I came to Maggie… at a time when I felt I needed to take stock of where I was in life and to understand and change negative patterns of behaviour after years of struggling with issues related to a traumatic event earlier in life. After a period of working with Maggie I genuinely felt a huge shift take place. I..feel..emboldened to move forward with more confidence and positivity. Maggie helped me dissect ….
Read more
Documentary Maker – Film & TV
Attentive and Quick to Respond

I highly recommend KlearMinds. It was a very convenient location and my therapist (Tania) was extremely kind, attentive and quick to respond to any of my problems. I would definitely go back to this practice if I ever require any more counselling.

Anonymous
Healing and Self-Understanding at 59
This was the first time in all of my 59 years that I reached out to Jess Lamin at Klearminds. I actually had no expectations and I did not know how therapy would work but I was in unfamiliar territory with regards to a sequence of events that had taken place in my life the past 4 years…. but I have discovered a whole new hidden version of myself without the noise and opinion of others. It’s been quite a revelation.… I can’t thank Jess Lamin enough for her professional and empathic approach….
Read more

FULL REVIEW

Business Owner
Beating Depression – Regaining Self Confidence
I first came to see Maggie when every area of my life seemed to be going wrong, and I felt I wanted to take control and turn things around. Maggie helped me to do that. I can honestly say I now feel happy the majority of the time and if I don’t, I know how to deal with it. I now realise that you have options, and that it is within your own power to change things around. I am very grateful to Maggie for helping me to ….
Read more
Lawyer
Help to Navigate Relationships, Improve Self-Esteem & Set Boundaries
…As a first-time therapy participant, I needed someone to help me navigate personal and professional relationship difficulties and provide objective insights…Amanda created a welcoming and safe place, making each session an opportunity to gain practical tools for making sound decisions in complex situations. Her expertise and tailored approach have been invaluable…
Read more
Doctor, London
Improve Relationships, Overcome Anxiety and Loneliness
…I struggled to cope with the negative emotions that arose from the end of a long-term relationship as well as the feelings of anxiety, isolation and loneliness …. Our sessions had a huge impact on my life; I quit smoking, I take better care of myself, I am more emotionally and financially stable, and I am in a secure relationship. Paul would give ….
Read more
Rachel, Operations Manager
Empower Yourself – Building Self Confidence
Before meeting with Maggie, I had been feeling demotivated, lacking focus and very lonely…. Counselling was something I only considered when I felt there was nothing I could do. Retrospectively, this was incorrect. Maggie gave me support and provided me with the encouragement to empower myself to change. I had always found it hard to deal with questions, getting defensive. Maggie’s questions…helped me… I now realise …
Read more
Investment Banker
Recover from Work Burnout and Learn to Advocate for Yourself
Having had little success with multiple therapists in the past, I was so pleased to finally find someone who really understood what I needed. Annette listened so closely and helped me to explore the various frustrations and challenges I was experiencing both inside and outside of work. Through our sessions I have developed an ability to advocate for myself, care for my own wellbeing and recover from burnout. This has had a hugely positive impact on my life and I can’t thank her enough…..
Read more
Junior Doctor
Developing Lasting Happiness – Overcoming Anxiety and Depression
I didn’t really know whether counselling would help when I first went to see Maggie. All I knew was that I was feeling increasingly isolated and unhappy, anxious about the future and fed up with the way my life was going. All that changed over the next few months… each week I grew stronger, more empowered and liberated thanks to her skill and expertise. She has made a big difference to my life and …
Read more
Senior HR Manager
Practical Help with Relationships
I came to Jess to discuss a relationship issue. Jess was incredibly sensitive and insightful, helping me to gain objectivity and self-understanding, not only in relation to the issue at hand but other areas of my life. She was also very helpful in suggesting practical ways….
Read more
UK Lawyer
Overcoming Depression & Insecurity
I decided to embark on therapy in order to address long-term issues with depression and insecurity in my personal life. Maggie has enabled me to reflect more clear-sightedly on situations rather than blaming myself for everything. She is a very sympathetic person with an extraordinary skill…As a consequence I am a more emotionally robust and confident and feel better able to exercise judgement and integrity in …
Read more
Editor, Publishing
Manage Anxiety, Gain New Insights & Perspectives on Life
Working with Jess has been so helpful for my recovery journey. I was experiencing a worsening of my mental health during pregnancy and Jess really helped me to manage my anxiety better. I also learned an incredible amount about myself and gained new insights, even though I had been in therapy for years before with different therapists. The approach that Jess took allowed me to….
Read more
Female 31 years old
Overcoming Stress, Anxiety & Building Self-Confidence, Career, Relationships
I started to see Maggie for ways to help me deal with old patterns of thoughts which lead to increased levels of stress and low confidence. She really helped me understand the roots of my thinking, how things had changed through time and ways in which I could shape my thoughts differently and break free of my old patterns. As a result, my stress levels have vastly improved… I have also been able to break away from old …
Read more
Financial Analyst

Meet Our Experienced Self-Esteem Therapists

Paul Glynn, counselling, CBT therapy and psychotherapist London. MSc Counselling, PG Adv Cert CBT, Adv Cert Clinical Supervision, BPhil, MBACP (Accred).

Paul Glynn

Clinical Director, Psychotherapist, Counsellor & Couples Therapist

MSc Counselling, PG Adv Cert CBT, Adv Cert Clinical Supervision, BPhil, MBACP (Snr. Accred)

Paul Glynn holds over 35 years experience.

Kate Thomlinson, counselling, CBT therapy and psychotherapist London. MA Counselling & Psychotherapy, Adv Dip, UKCP, SEA, CEC.

Kate Thomlinson

Psychotherapist & Counsellor

MA Counselling & Psychotherapy, Adv Dip, UKCP, SEA, CEC

Kate is a highly skilled therapist with over 11 years experience.

Amanda Reynolds, counselling, CBT therapy and psychotherapist London. Adv Dip CBT, Dip Counselling, BSc Psychology, Cert Counselling, BACP.

Amanda Reynolds

Psychotherapist & Counsellor

Adv Dip CBT, Dip Counselling, BSc Psychology, Cert Counselling, BACP

Amanda holds over 13 years experience.

Maggie Morrow, counselling, CBT therapy, life coach and psychotherapist London. MSc Integrative Psychotherapy, BSc Psychology, Adv Dip, UKCP.

Maggie Morrow

Founder of KlearMinds, Award Winning Psychotherapist, Counsellor & Life Coach

MSc Integrative Psychotherapy, BSc Psychology, Adv Dip, UKCP

Maggie’s experience spans over 28 years.

Symptoms of Low Self-Esteem that CBT Therapy Can Help

When low self-esteem becomes part of daily life, it can affect your confidence, relationships, and ability to move forward. At KlearMinds, we help individuals struggling with a wide range of low self-esteem symptoms, including:

  • Persistent self-doubt and second-guessing yourself
  • Harsh self-criticism and negative self-talk
  • Fear of judgment, criticism, or rejection
  • People-pleasing and difficulty saying no
  • Perfectionism and fear of making mistakes
  • Feeling like a failure, even when achieving goals
  • Comparing yourself negatively to others
  • Overthinking conversations and social interactions
  • Difficulty accepting compliments or positive feedback
  • Feeling undeserving of success, happiness, or healthy relationships
  • Avoiding challenges due to fear of not being good enough
  • Struggling with boundaries and asserting your needs
  • Low confidence in dating, relationships, or social situations
  • Feeling emotionally dependent on approval or reassurance from others
  • Shame, guilt, or a constant sense of inadequacy

Low self-esteem is not a fixed personality trait, it’s a pattern of thinking and responding that can be understood and changed. With the right therapist, you can reduce self-criticism, build genuine confidence and develop a more balanced, stable sense of self-worth.

How Does CBT for Self Esteem Work?

Feeling stuck in patterns of self-doubt, criticism, or low confidence can be overwhelming and disheartening. Recognising that you’re struggling is the first step toward understanding what’s going on and learning how to change it.

CBT is a structured, evidence-based therapy proven to help people build confidence and reshape negative thinking patterns. It focuses on identifying and changing the beliefs and behaviours that maintain low self-esteem, helping you develop a more balanced and empowering relationship with yourself.

  • The cognitive aspect of CBT helps you explore unhelpful beliefs, such as “I’m not good enough,” “I always fail,” or “Others are better than me”, and challenges the automatic thoughts that reinforce these long-standing patterns.
  • The behavioural aspect focuses on gradually changing the habits that keep low self-esteem going, such as avoidance, people-pleasing, or holding back due to fear of failure.

Our experienced therapists can help you understand how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours interact and will guide you in developing practical tools for building confidence, self-trust and emotional resilience.

Our Reviews on Google

Maggie Morrow - Winner Of BACP Award in Therapy

Get a Therapist Recommendation

Free Consultation: Get in touch for a personal recommendation OR to arrange a free telephone consultation with Maggie Morrow, Award Winning Therapist & KlearMinds Director.

Money back guarantee: 95% of our recommendations are successful. However, if your first appointment doesn’t feel like the right match – let us know. Based on your feedback, we can recommend a free appointment with a different therapist or if you prefer, you can request a refund.

CBT for Low Self-Esteem FAQs

How long does CBT for low self-esteem take to work?

Many people begin to notice improvements within the first few sessions as they learn tools to manage negative thoughts and build confidence. For longer-standing or more complex patterns, additional sessions may help to develop understanding and sustain lasting change. Some people benefit from 6–12 or 24 sessions, while others prefer longer-term support to continue building confidence and resilience. Your therapist will be happy to discuss what may work best for you.

What happens in the first CBT session for low self-esteem?
Can CBT help with low self-esteem linked to anxiety or depression?
What if I want to build confidence in specific areas, like work, relationships, or decision-making?
Will I get exercises or tools to use between sessions?
Is CBT for low self-esteem suitable for online therapy?

Further Self-Help & Reading on CBT

10 Tips to Help Build Self Confidence

22nd November 2013

Self-confidence provides the foundation for a happy and fulfilled life. It helps us achieve goals. It enables us to feel…

Success coach

Understand and Improve Your Self Confidence (INFOGRAPHIC)

25th September 2013

    In this post we feature an infographic that covers in a light hearted way the topic of "understanding…

CBT Therapy

CBT What’s It All About?

7th September 2021

Why do people keep talking about CBT Much is written and much is talked about CBT or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.…

Contemporary design pink and green open space apartment interior with a cozy bed and turquoise sofa

A Guide to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

7th November 2021

This reference guide is for people who want to learn more about cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) . It will discuss…

The History of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

7th March 2022

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a popular psychological treatment which has been shown to be effective in treating common disorders…

What Is CBT & How Can It Help

What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?

15th February 2017

With so many different psychotherapy, coaching and counselling techniques to choose from, it can be bewildering to understand what they…

Maggie Morrow, counselling, CBT therapy, life coach and psychotherapist London. MSc Integrative Psychotherapy, BSc Psychology, Adv Dip, UKCP.
Author: Maggie Morrow, Founder of KlearMinds, Award Winning Psychotherapist, Counsellor & Life Coach
Last updated: 28th July 2026

Our Locations

Our Therapy Rooms are near:

Mayfair     –     Soho     –    Harley Street    –    Covent Garden

Our Therapy Fees

Individual
£130 - £160 Per 50 Minute Session
Couples
£140 - £180 Per 50 Minute Session
Company
£130 - £160 + VAT Per 50 Minute Session

Accepted Insurance Providers

Allianz
Bupa
Cigna
WPA

Not Accepted Insurance Providers

Bupa UK, AXA, Aviva, Healix, Vitality and Freedom

Professional Accreditations and Associations

Our hand-selected therapists have trained in the UK’s most respected institutions. They hold a minimum of 8 and up to 30 years clinical experience within the NHS, private and/or charitable sectors. They are registered with: