SELF-ESTEEM & CONFIDENCE
WHEN THEY ARE HARDER ON THEMSELVES THAN ANYONE ELSE COULD BE.
Low confidence does not always look like shyness. It can look like perfectionism, comparison, people-pleasing, quitting before failure is possible, or acting like nothing matters so nobody can see how much it does.
Support built for where they are right now.
RECOGNIZABLE PATTERNS
THIS MIGHT LOOK LIKE…
- •They compare themselves constantly — grades, body, sports, popularity, social media, or friendships.
- •A small mistake becomes evidence that they are “stupid,” “awkward,” or “not good enough.”
- •They avoid trying new things because failing publicly feels unbearable.
- •They need a lot of approval but have trouble believing reassurance when they get it.
- •They shape themselves around other people to avoid rejection or conflict.
- •They used to take risks or enjoy activities and now pull back before they can be judged.
HOW THERAPY CAN HELP
Therapy can help your teen develop a more accurate sense of self, tolerate mistakes, separate worth from performance, and take healthy risks without needing certainty that they will succeed.
WHAT MAY BE GOING ON
There is rarely one simple reason a teen gets stuck. Development, stress, temperament, relationships, school, sleep, attention, past experiences, family patterns, and biology can all play a role. We focus on understanding the pattern well enough to know what may actually help — not on attaching a label as quickly as possible.
HOW WE APPROACH IT
We work on the thoughts, comparisons, experiences, relationships, and avoidance patterns that keep confidence low. The goal is not artificial positivity. It is a steadier self-concept that can survive mistakes, disappointment, and other people’s opinions.
CLINICAL MATCH
THERAPISTS WHO WORK WITH THIS CONCERN
The concern matters. The relationship does too. We can help you think through which therapist may fit your teen's personality, needs, and preferences.
Sara McMann, MA, APCC
Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
I understand the pressure to perform while struggling underneath it. My work helps teens build resilience, emotional balance, and confidence without judgment or lectures.
Andrea Marrapodi, MA, AMFT, APCC
Associate Marriage & Family Therapist | APCC
I want teens to feel safe enough to be themselves — not judged, lectured, or pushed into someone else’s expectations. Therapy is a place to understand who they are and build confidence from there.
Alyssa Wild, MA, AMFT
Associate Marriage & Family Therapist
I create a warm, empowering space where teens can feel seen without judgment, process difficult experiences, and build practical skills for emotions, relationships, and everyday life.
FAQ
QUESTIONS PARENTS OFTEN ASK
Can therapy really build confidence?
Therapy cannot hand someone confidence, but it can help reduce self-criticism, avoidance, comparison, and fear of failure while building experiences that create real competence and self-trust.
What if social media is part of the problem?
It may be. We can look at how comparison, online feedback, identity, body image, friendships, and attention are affecting your teen rather than treating the phone as the entire explanation.
Is low self-esteem sometimes anxiety or depression?
Yes. Confidence problems often overlap with anxiety, depression, ADHD, perfectionism, social stress, or past experiences.
Should parents keep reassuring them?
Warm support matters, but reassurance alone often does not change the underlying belief. We can help parents support confidence without turning every difficult feeling into a debate.
NOT SURE THIS IS THE RIGHT LABEL?
You do not need to be sure. Tell us what you are seeing and we can help you think through whether this concern, another issue, or a combination may be the better fit.
Prefer to talk? Call or text (916) 292-9000.