Confidence, Self-worth and Self-Criticism Counselling.
In Upper Heyford, near Bicester, Oxfordshire & Online.
If you often doubt yourself, feel like you're not enough or are far harder on yourself than you would ever be on anyone else, you're not alone.
Low self-esteem and self-criticism can quietly shape the way you think, feel and show up in your life, affecting your relationships, work, choices and overall sense of wellbeing.
Counselling and psychotherapy can offer a supportive space to soften that inner critic and build a more compassionate relationship with yourself.
WHEN YOU STOP SEEING YOURSELF CLEARLY
When your inner voice becomes harder to live with.
Low confidence isn't always about lacking confidence.
Many people are capable, thoughtful and successful, yet still feel they're falling short.
Over time, self-doubt can quietly become the lens through which you see yourself.
You may dismiss compliments, focus on mistakes, compare yourself to others or constantly raise the bar just as you're about to reach it.
Eventually, it stops feeling like self-criticism and simply starts to feel like reality.
The difficulty is that living with a constant inner critic can make it hard to recognise your strengths, trust your decisions or feel comfortable being yourself.
Counselling creates space to step back from that voice and begin building a different relationship with yourself.
You may recognise some of these experiences.
Putting yourself down
Comparing yourself to others
Feeling not good enough
Struggling to accept compliments
Perfectionism and high standards
Fear of making mistakes
People-pleasing tendencies
Feeling undeserving of success
Feeling pressure to keep going
Feeling responsible for everyone else
Difficulty being present
Feeling disconnected from yourself.
How counselling & psychotherapy may support you.
Understand patterns
Explore where self-criticism comes from and how it may be influencing the way you think, feel and behave.
Build self-worth
Develop a stronger sense of self rooted in your values, strengths and authenticity.
Be kinder to yourself
Learn to quiet your inner critic and develop greater self-compassion and acceptance.
Create positive changes
Build confidence, healthier boundaries and a life that feels more aligned with who you are.
WHAT WOULD LIFE BE LIKE
Imagine feeling more comfortable being yourself.
Trusting yourself and your decisions.
Speaking up more confidently.
Feeling good enough as you are.
Letting go of constant comparison.
Building a life that feels more authentic.
Therapy isn't about becoming a different person. It's about creating enough space to feel more like yourself again.
A PERSONALISED APPROACH BUILT AROUND YOU
Working together in a way that suits you.
No two people arrive with the same experiences, challenges or goals, which is why I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy.
I work in an integrative and pluralistic way, meaning I tailor our work around you rather than expecting you to fit a particular therapeutic model.
My work is grounded in Person-Centred principles, with the therapeutic relationship sitting at the heart of our work together. Depending on your needs, goals and preferences, we may also draw upon Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused approaches, mindfulness and Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy, where appropriate and agreed.
The aim isn't simply to talk about what's happening, but to better understand yourself, recognise recurring patterns and create meaningful, sustainable change.
Ready to take the first step?
If you've found your way to this page, there's a good chance you've recognised something in your own experience.
You may already know what you'd like support with, or perhaps you're simply looking for a therapist whose approach feels right for you.
The first step is to book an Initial Consultation. This is a 50–60 minute appointment where we'll explore what has brought you to therapy, discuss what you're hoping to gain from counselling, and answer any questions you may have. It's also an opportunity for us both to consider whether my way of working feels like the right fit.
As an integrative and pluralistic counsellor and psychotherapist, I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Therapy is tailored to you, your experiences, your strengths and your goals.
There is no pressure or obligation to continue afterwards. If we both feel we're the right fit to work together, we'll agree a plan for ongoing therapy at a pace that feels right for you.
A few things you may be wondering.
-
Many people who struggle with confidence or self-worth are often incredibly supportive, compassionate and encouraging towards others, whilst being highly critical of themselves. Over time, this internal dialogue can begin to impact confidence, self-belief and overall wellbeing.
Counselling and psychotherapy can provide a supportive space to explore these patterns and develop a healthier, more balanced relationship with yourself.
-
People experiencing low confidence or self-criticism often dismiss their achievements whilst giving significant attention to mistakes, setbacks or perceived shortcomings. This can gradually reinforce the belief that you're never quite doing enough.
Together, we can explore these patterns, understand where they may have developed and identify more helpful ways of viewing yourself.
-
It's common for people to receive positive feedback, encouragement or recognition from others but still struggle to believe it themselves. This disconnect between how others see you and how you see yourself can often be linked to long-standing beliefs, expectations or self-critical patterns.
Counselling and psychotherapy can provide an opportunity to build greater self-awareness, self-acceptance and confidence in yourself over time.