What are the signs of low self-esteem in children and teens?

Signs include frequent negative self-talk, fear of failure, avoiding challenges, extreme sensitivity to criticism, comparison to others, and withdrawal from social or school activities. A Calgary child psychologist can help assess and support your child.

What causes low self-esteem in kids and adolescents?

It may stem from bullying, perfectionism, trauma, learning differences, family dynamics, or internalized criticism. Our therapy explores the roots of low self-worth and helps children reconnect with their strengths.

How can therapy help my child build confidence?

Therapy creates a safe, supportive space where kids learn emotional regulation, reframe negative thoughts, and try new things without shame. We use creative and age-appropriate methods to build resilience and inner confidence.

Does low confidence look different in boys and girls?

Often, yes. Girls may show people-pleasing or perfectionism, while boys may act out or shut down. But every child is unique — our therapists tailor sessions based on the child’s individual needs, not stereotypes.

Can social media affect my teen’s self-esteem?

Yes. Social media can increase comparison, pressure to be perfect, and fear of missing out. We address these themes in therapy and help teens build a more grounded sense of self-worth.

How do I boost my child’s confidence at home?

Use encouragement over praise, highlight effort not just outcomes, and validate their feelings. Avoid over-correcting or rescuing — instead model mistakes as learning. We coach parents on language that builds self-trust.

Does my child need a diagnosis to get help for low self-esteem?

No. Self-esteem challenges do not require a diagnosis. Therapy can support kids who are feeling discouraged, anxious, or unsure of themselves — whether or not there’s an underlying diagnosis.

How long does it take to see improvement in self-esteem through therapy?

Some kids feel lighter after just a few sessions, while others need longer to rebuild trust and confidence. Our therapists adjust the pace based on age, history, and how ready your child is to open up.

Self-Esteem & Confidence Therapy for Kids and Teens in Calgary

Helping Children Rewrite the Story They Tell Themselves

We all carry a voice inside — one that shapes how we see ourselves and what we believe we’re capable of. For some children and teens, this voice becomes overly critical. They begin to compare, question, and shrink back. That inner narrative can dim their spark — and leave them doubting their worth.

At Creative Sky Psychology, we help kids and teens rewrite the stories they’re telling themselves. We support them in seeing their strengths, exploring their challenges, and building confidence that grows from the inside out.

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Signs Your Child May Be Struggling with Self-Esteem

Frequent negative self-talk (“I’m dumb,” “I can’t do anything right”)

Avoiding challenges or new activities out of fear of failure
Excessive comparing to peers or siblings
People-pleasing or hiding true feelings
Difficulty accepting compliments
Withdrawing from friendships or feeling “left out”
Sensitivity to feedback or perceived rejection
Children with anxiety, ADHD, or depression often struggle with low self-esteem.

Low self-esteem in childhood and adolescence can affect mental health, learning, and relationships. Left unaddressed, it can quietly shape how kids see their future.

How Therapy Helps Build Confidence and Self-Esteem.

We work with children and teens to:

Identify and challenge unhelpful self-beliefs
Build emotional regulation and self-compassion
Develop confidence through strengths-based experiences
Learn to accept feedback without shame
Practice assertiveness, healthy boundaries, and decision-making
Reframe failure as part of growth
Frequent negative self-talk (“I’m dumb,” “I can’t do anything right”)

Our Calgary child psychologists tailor support based on age and developmental stage — because confidence doesn’t look the same at age 6 as it does at 16.

Our Calgary Child Psychologists Provide Therapy by Age and Stage:

Preschool & Early Childhood

We use play therapy, art therapy, and gentle modeling to build emotional vocabulary and confidence. Activities focusing on separating mistakes from identity (“You spilled the paint” vs “You’re messy”), using encouragement, and exploring feelings safely. Additionally, we help children how to solve problems in a fun and engaging manner!

School-Aged Children (6–12)

Kids this age often benefit from CBT-informed techniques, creative exercises, storytelling, role play, and problem-solving games. We explore themes like bravery, comparison, perfectionism, and trying new things through a positive, developmentally tuned lens.

Teens & Adolescents

Teen therapy integrates talk therapy, values work, cognitive tools, and deeper exploration of identity and pressure. We address comparison, anxiety, body image, social exclusion, and inner criticism — and help teens develop a voice they can trust.

Confidence Isn't Always Something You're Born With. But It Can Be Developed With Practice!

Children don’t need to be the most outgoing or always get things right to feel confident. At Creative Sky Psychology, we believe confidence comes from trying, failing safely, being seen, and learning that your worth isn’t tied to performance.

We help kids and teens build inner confidence they can carry into friendships, school, sports, and the world.

Parent Support & Collaboration

We work closely with parents to ensure that growth continues beyond the therapy room. This might include:

Coaching on language that builds self-worth at home
Feedback on how to respond to perfectionism or people-pleasing
Helping you understand your child’s specific triggers for shame or comparison
Support navigating school issues, friend drama, or performance anxiety

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child building confidence in therapy session using art and emotion therapy

Frequently Asked Questions

Children with low self-esteem often doubt their abilities, criticize themselves, avoid challenges, or become overly sensitive to failure or rejection. Teens may withdraw socially, over-apologize, act out, or appear overly focused on appearance or peer approval. If your child seems stuck in self-doubt or negativity, therapy with a Calgary child psychologist can help rebuild confidence.
Low self-esteem can develop from a combination of factors—bullying, academic struggles, perfectionism, family dynamics, trauma, learning differences, or social exclusion. Some children internalize failure or criticism more deeply than others. Therapy helps uncover the root of their self-image and gently shifts the narrative toward strength and self-trust.
Yes. Constant comparison, unrealistic beauty standards, and fear of missing out can take a serious toll on teen mental health. Teens often measure their worth by likes or online feedback. Therapy helps teens build internal validation and navigate digital spaces with stronger boundaries and self-awareness.
Therapy creates a safe, judgment-free space where kids learn to challenge negative self-talk, build emotional awareness, and practice self-compassion. We use age-appropriate strategies like play therapy, art, role play, CBT, and strengths-based coaching to help children and teens grow their sense of self-worth and resilience.
Model self-acceptance, praise effort (not just outcomes), allow space for mistakes, and encourage trying new things—even if they’re hard. Avoid rescuing your child from every struggle; instead, focus on encouraging problem-solving and emotional coaching. We also support parents with specific strategies during therapy.
Not at all. Confidence and self-worth are essential to healthy development, and children don’t need a mental health diagnosis to benefit from support. Our therapy is strengths-based, personalized, and focused on helping your child reconnect with their inner voice and self-belief—whether they’re struggling socially, academically, or emotionally.
Self-esteem builds over time. Some kids begin to feel more empowered after a few sessions, while others need longer to shift deep-rooted patterns. On average, 8–12 sessions can lead to noticeable changes, especially when therapy is paired with consistent support at home and school. Our Calgary therapists provide tools that grow with your child.Absolutely. Many autistic and neurodivergent children benefit from a team approach. With parent consent, we collaborate with teachers, OTs, SLPs, pediatricians, and other professionals to ensure consistent support across settings. Our goal is to help your child feel safe, understood, and successful—not just in therapy, but in everyday life.
It can. Girls may internalize more—showing up as perfectionism, people-pleasing, or body image concerns. Boys may externalize—acting out, withdrawing, or hiding feelings behind “goofing off.” But every child is unique. Our Calgary therapists tailor therapy to your child’s personality, not just their gender.