Photo of Sandra Rubin, Psychiatrist in Bethesda, MD
Sandra Rubin
Psychiatrist, MD
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Bethesda, MD 20814
I am a board certified psychiatrist with extensive training in Child Adolescent and Adult Psychiatry. I implement a treatment model that uses different interventions tailored to the patient's individual needs. I specialize in active listening to provide a diagnosis and then specific interventions to bring relief to the patients and their families. Once the emergency is addressed, the next step is to focus on the most important tools for the patient- early recognition, education, and preventive interventions to manage stress.
I am a board certified psychiatrist with extensive training in Child Adolescent and Adult Psychiatry. I implement a treatment model that uses different interventions tailored to the patient's individual needs. I specialize in active listening to provide a diagnosis and then specific interventions to bring relief to the patients and their families. Once the emergency is addressed, the next step is to focus on the most important tools for the patient- early recognition, education, and preventive interventions to manage stress.
(301) 654-0285 View (301) 654-0285
Self Esteem Psychiatrists

When should a person seek therapy for low self-esteem?

When self-esteem problems begin to disrupt the healthy daily functioning of an individual, it may be a good time to look into therapy. If a person finds that they are not engaging with friends for fear of being judged, not completing work assignments because they don’t think they’re capable, or not finding romantic love because they don’t feel they’re worthy of it, a therapist may be able to help.

What are the signs of low self-esteem?

Low self-esteem is a common issue that can affect a person's mental and emotional well-being. Some common signs of low self-esteem include negative self-talk, perfectionism, social anxiety, difficulty making decisions, an inability to set boundaries, people-pleasing, and others. A lack of belief in oneself or one’s abilities and a feeling of not being worthy or deserving underlie most of these characteristics.

What causes low self-esteem?

Feelings of low self-worth can begin in childhood or adulthood. Being raised by a highly critical parent or growing up feeling constant disapproval can stay with a person well into adulthood. Specific issues in adulthood may also be a cause of low self-esteem. An unhappy relationship, a dysfunctional work or school experience can impact a person’s feelings of self-worth.

How can therapy improve self-esteem?

Therapists can help identify negative thought patterns that keep the client stuck in a loop of destructive self-talk and develop coping skills to change the voice in their head. A therapist can help with goal-setting, so that clients are better able to stay on task and build confidence from successfully completing work they’re proud of. Coaching a client on how to better communicate can improve relationships. These skills can result in someone with low self-esteem feeling empowered and living with less fear.