Therapy for Self-Esteem in San Francisco & Pacifica and
online across California
You are tired of feeling good about yourself one day and bad the next.
This can’t be how life is supposed to go.
You hold yourself to a standard you would never
ask of anyone else.
MY APPROACH
You were born worthy.
Somewhere along the way, you learned that your worth depended on achievement, praise, or pleasing others. When your value depends on outside approval, your peace of mind is always up for grabs.
In therapy, we work on changing this internal blueprint.
That voice often developed to protect you from criticism, shame, or ridicule. We'll explore where it came from and what it's still trying to do, so you can learn to believe it less often.
We’ll get to know that harsh inner voice.
You stop having to earn your place.
We work on letting go of the exhausting belief that you have to perform or please others to deserve a spot at the table.
You learn what you value and let it guide you.
We’ll focus on connecting you with your values so you can turn toward them instead of outside approval.
You practice treating yourself the way
you treat a friend.
You'll learn to counter that harsh inner voice by treating yourself with the same kindness, patience, and grace you give others.
Self-doubt leaks into every corner of your life.
You agonize over simple decisions because you don't trust your own judgment. You stay busy because relaxing or playing makes you feel guilty or like a fraud.
The self-doubt shows up with other people too. You find yourself hyper-focused on their moods, walking on eggshells, or tolerating behavior you know you shouldn't because you worry that if you speak up, they will leave you.
Maybe you've caught yourself thinking:
I should be more confident by now.
If they really knew me, they would think differently.
Everyone else seems to manage this.
What are people saying behind my back?
The day decides how you feel about yourself.
Some days you feel okay and things are moving along. Then a terse text, a look you cannot read, or saying yes when you wanted to say no sends your whole mood sideways. You start reviewing everything you said and did. By evening, that harsh inner voice has convinced you that you are a failure. You are exhausted.
Criticism sticks in a way that praise doesn't. When something goes well, you figure it was just luck, or timing, or someone being generous. When something goes badly, it's a confirmation of what you already suspected was true about you.
The difference that therapy for self-esteem can make:
Recognize the harsh inner voice and believe it less often
Take in praise without explaining it away
Make decisions based on what you value rather than what will be approved of
Ask for what you need without apologizing for needing it
Treat yourself with the same kindness you give everyone else
Feel settled in who you are regardless of how the day went
Hi! I’m Dr. Andrea Miller
I'm a clinical psychologist in practice for 23 years. I work with adults who are anxious, overwhelmed, and stuck in patterns they can't think their way out of.
Outside of the office, you'll find me exploring new hiking trails, catching sunrise photos, or digging into one of the many books on my nightstand.
More about me
When you own your worth, you live with more
self-acceptance, ease, and peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Self-worth is the belief that you are valuable simply because you exist. Self-esteem is how you rate your abilities and performance, so it rises and falls with how things go. Most people use the terms interchangeably, and in therapy we work on both.
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Yes. The beliefs that drive low self-esteem were learned, which means they can be examined and changed. Through therapy, you can learn to value yourself and feel good about who you are.
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It may be. Imposter syndrome is the experience of feeling like a fraud despite real evidence that you are good at what you do. Underneath it is the same belief that drives low self-esteem, that your worth depends on how well you perform.
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The first step is to request a free 15-minute consultation. During the call, you can ask questions about how I work and what therapy together might look like. If we decide we're a good fit, we'll schedule our first appointment.
I offer in-person therapy in San Francisco and Pacifica, as well as online therapy throughout California.