8 Empowering Activities to Boost Self-Esteem in Therapy Sessions

Self-esteem refers to how individuals perceive their own worth. Clients often experience variations in their self-esteem through achievements, setbacks, and failures. It can take a hit when they encounter criticism or adverse remarks from others. Continue reading to discover 8 engaging self-esteem activities to utilize with your clients during therapy.

Generally, individuals with high self-esteem tend to have a lower likelihood of facing mental health issues. Conversely, those who struggle with self-esteem are at a heightened risk for conditions such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and substance use. Furthermore, people with higher self-esteem are likely to enjoy better job satisfaction, healthier relationships, and an improved overall quality of life.

Self-esteem challenges aren’t limited to adults; they also impact children and teenagers. A study conducted in Norway observed youth over three years, revealing a significant link between low self-esteem and the emergence of anxiety, depression, and attention issues during that time.

Individuals grappling with self-esteem may not meet the criteria for a formal mental health diagnosis. They might struggle with establishing boundaries, placing others’ needs before their own, avoiding social interactions, isolating themselves, engaging in negative self-talk, having difficulty accepting compliments, and steering clear of new experiences. These behaviors can hinder their relationships, academic success, and professional growth.

The Benefits of Self-Esteem Activities for Clients

Clients facing self-esteem challenges often find professional assistance to be beneficial. Based on the intensity of their symptoms and concurrent mental health issues, they might require either inpatient or outpatient treatment. Therapy can encompass counseling, group support, and educational workshops. For younger individuals, family therapy and additional program options may be suggested to foster familial involvement in the therapeutic process, encouraging positive changes at home that support sustained mental wellness.

Tailoring self-esteem activities to individual clients ensures they receive appropriate support to alleviate symptoms. This may include acquiring skills like reframing negative self-talk, building confidence, cognitive restructuring, and enhancing emotional regulation abilities. Activities designed for children and adults might differ considerably to account for variations in maturity, emotional intelligence, and developmental stage.

Utilizing professional worksheets can sometimes reinforce the therapy topics and enhance client participation. TherapyByPro is a reliable resource for mental health practitioners offering a variety of materials, including customizable worksheets aimed at helping clients with self-esteem and self-worth challenges. Examples of worksheets you might integrate into your practice include:

Self-Esteem Activities for Clients

A wide array of therapeutic methods can be employed when assisting clients struggling with self-esteem issues. This may include cognitive-behavioral therapy, person-centered therapy, compassion-focused therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), narrative therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, among others.

As you explore self-esteem activities suitable for both adults and children, consider how you can adapt these exercises to meet your clients’ unique needs. Seeking supervision or engaging in peer consultations can be helpful for discussing and refining your ideas.

Self-Esteem Activities for Kids

1. Children and teenagers can create a self-portrait collage. Encourage them to include words, images, and visuals from magazines or other media. They can also draw to illustrate their strengths, interests, and positive traits. This activity fosters self-expression and enhances engagement in therapy, helping clients to focus on their positive attributes and acknowledge their self-worth.
2. Depending on the client’s age and development, positive affirmations can be a useful activity. This encourages clients to vocalize kind statements to themselves while looking in a mirror. You can practice this in sessions and suggest they incorporate it into their daily routine. For instance, ask them to affirm two positive statements to themselves each morning. Discuss their experiences, any discomfort, and how these affirmations influence their thoughts and feelings.
3. Role-playing is a flexible activity that can be adjusted for clients of different ages. Use this method to practice scenarios that may cause anxiety, such as social situations. This safe and supportive practice can help clients become familiar with these scenarios, enhancing their confidence and reducing anxiety.
4. For adolescents, journaling can be an effective way to boost self-esteem. You might provide weekly writing prompts or encourage them to note something they are grateful for each week. Journaling can be tailored to address specific challenges and mental health issues, aiding them in shifting negative thoughts to more positive reflections. Invite clients to share their journaling experiences during sessions.

Self-Esteem Activities for Adults

5. Cognitive restructuring is a cognitive-behavioral intervention that aids clients in identifying and challenging automatic thoughts that contribute to low self-esteem, such as “I am a failure” or “I am unworthy.” This activity will emphasize gathering evidence to either support or refute these beliefs. Over time, clients can become more aware of negative thoughts and learn to address them as they arise.
6. Engaging in values clarification activities, often used in acceptance and commitment therapy, helps clients identify what truly matters to them, such as connections with others, personal growth, and creativity. This activity aims to shift their focus from self-criticism to actions that resonate with their values. Clients can also pinpoint thoughts and behaviors that don’t align with these values and work on reducing their occurrence in daily life.
7. Meditation is a practice that promotes mindfulness…