31/10/2025
“Leah” (name changed), a woman in her late 30s, reached out for support after years of struggling with self-worth. On the outside, she appeared capable — but inside, she constantly questioned her value and feared being judged or “not good enough.”
Presenting issue:
Leah described a long-standing pattern of people-pleasing, perfectionism, and self-criticism. She often compared herself to others and found it hard to accept praise. Her inner dialogue was harsh and rarely gave her credit for her achievements or efforts. She felt frustrated that she was always comfort eating and dieting.
Therapeutic process:
In our sessions, we gently explored the roots of her self-esteem challenges — including past experiences of feeling unseen and emotionally invalidated. Using a person-centred and integrative approach, we worked on self-compassion, emotional awareness, and challenging critical inner narratives.
We also used a CBT model including elements of psychoeducation, helping Leah build a stronger inner voice and recognise her strengths with more balance and realism.
Outcome:
Over time, Leah developed a more kind and grounded relationship with herself. She began to speak up for her needs, noticed when she was falling into comparison, and slowly started trusting that she didn’t need to prove her worth to be accepted. One of the most powerful moments in our work was when she said, “I’m learning to feel enough — just as I am.”
