Self-Esteem Therapy Vancouver
Welcome to our practice. We offer depression therapy for people living in Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver and BC-wide. Learn about self-esteem therapy and book a consultation to discuss your options.
Meet the Therapist
Dr. Bradley Murray, Psychoanalyst and Registered Clinical Counsellor, RCC, FIPA
I am a psychoanalyst and Registered Clinical Counsellor who offers online therapy for individuals living in greater Vancouver and throughout BC. I also offer in-person therapy sessions in North Vancouver. I often work with clients who would like help addressing self-esteem concerns. I look forward to hearing from you if you are interested in starting therapy for depression.
Greater Vancouver Self-Esteem Therapy Services
A common reason people seek therapy in Vancouver is that they have concerns related to self-esteem.
With healthy self-esteem, people experience lower self criticism, less anxiety, and greater resilience in handling life’s challenges.
Healthy self-esteem can also help foster stronger relationships defined by open and confident communication, assertiveness, and suitable boundaries.
With healthy self-esteem, people feel motivated and energized in life, since the belief in one’s abilities helps them pursue goals, take risks, and build purpose and meaning over the longer-term.
People who lack healthy self-esteem, by contrast, may find that they have a very negative self image in which they fixate on their flaws while ignoring their strengths.
They may have experienced repeated criticism or rejection, especially during their formative years. Some people with self-esteem difficulties struggle with unrealistic expectations and fall into the habit of constantly comparing themselves to others.
Experiences of trauma, such as emotional or physical abuse, can in some cases lie at the root of self-esteem issues. Even without overwhelming trauma, people sometimes develop self-esteem issues because they developed the habit of becoming hyperfocused on their achievements, in a way that was not accompanied by self-compassion.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy can help uncover unconscious factors that lead to self-esteem issues.
By making use of therapy to process past experiences and face feelings and thoughts that may be avoided, it is possible to address the core factors behind self-esteem difficulties.
The therapeutic relationship can also be pivotal in providing a supportive environment in which it is safe to explore emotions, fostering healing and self-understanding.
Common Goals and Benefits of Psychodynamic Self-Esteem Therapy for Vancouver Residents
Work to understand and address psychological symptoms
Unaddressed depression, anxiety, stress, and other types of emotional distress can reduce life and satisfaction. These have also been found to be correlated with physical health problems.
Increasing self-knowledge
Getting to know ourselves better includes reflecting on how our past influences our present lives, getting to know longstanding personality traits, becoming familiar with fears that have been holding back progress, and figuring out what we most want in our lives.
Reflecting on relationships
Many people benefit from taking some time to think about their relationships, exploring themes such as closeness, distance, trust, and communication.
Self-expression
People often find that developing the capacity to talk freely and openly over the course of a therapy process can help them gain comfort exercising creativity and self-expression in various other areas of their lives.
Client Experiences of Psychodynamic Therapy
Everyone is different, and some people will find themselves especially drawn to psychodynamic therapy. A study in the journal Psychotherapy Research found that clients who most appreciate psychodynamic therapy are drawn to several features of this approach.
Psychodynamic therapy aims to help people gain insight through exploration, so they can understand themselves better than before
It seeks to help individuals develop a more coherent life story
It aims to help people foster self-acceptance through understanding
Integrative Self-Esteem Therapy
We offer an integrative approach to self-esteem therapy tailored to the needs of the individual. In addition to psychodynamic therapy, clients will sometimes benefit from approaches based in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
CBT is a structured approach that encourages individuals to identify and challenge negative self-beliefs. CBT often involves exercises like practicing self-compassion and setting achievable goals to build confidence.
Online and Telephone Therapy for Self-Esteem in Vancouver and BC-wide
Many people in Greater Vancouver and throughout BC are juggling busy schedules these days. This can make it difficult to attend regular weekly in-person self-esteem therapy appointments. If in-person therapy would be a challenge for you, the flexibility of online self-esteem therapy may be a good choice for you.
Discuss Your Options
A 10-minute consultation allows us to discuss your concerns and ways therapy may help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Self-Esteem Therapy
Answers to help you get started.
Our therapy approaches are grounded in psychotherapy effectiveness research. We specialize in psychodynamic therapy and use an integrative approach, incorporating methods like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to tailor treatment to your unique needs.
Yes, all therapy sessions are strictly confidential. Your privacy is of the utmost importance to us, and we adhere to all professional and ethical guidelines to protect it.
No, a physician referral is not required. You can contact us directly to begin the process of scheduling your sessions.
Typically, therapy sessions are scheduled once per week. This regular schedule helps maintain consistency and progress in the therapeutic process.
Yes, all therapy sessions are confidential, ensuring a safe and private space for clients to express themselves openly.
No, a physician referral is not required. Clients can reach out directly to begin the therapy process.
Therapy sessions are typically scheduled once per week. This regularity helps support meaningful progress over time.
Psychodynamic therapy focuses on exploring and understanding unconscious patterns and past experiences that may influence your self-esteem. Through this process, we aim to help you develop deeper self-awareness and create lasting change.
Our integrative, research-based approach allows us to support clients dealing with a variety of related challenges, such as anxiety, depression, or relationship difficulties. Feel free to discuss your specific concerns with us during your initial consultation.
Book a Consultation
Get started with a 10-minute consultation to discuss your concerns.