Does Counselling help with confidence?
Yes, counselling can significantly help improve confidence through various techniques, emotional understanding, and personalised support.
Theoretical Frameworks Supporting Counselling for Confidence
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy:
One way confidence is built through counselling is during Cognitive Behavioural Therapy sessions. CBT helps you obtain a better understanding of their thoughts, emotions and behaviours through transparent conversations. Reframing negative thought patterns gets you to recognise your strengths, challenge self-limiting beliefs and develop more self-esteem: more confidence.
Person-Centred Therapy:
This emphasises the creation of a safe and non-judgemental environment. It fosters self-exploration and self-acceptance, both key components of boosting confidence. Through empathetic listening and unconditional positive regard, you can openly express your insecurities.
Psychoanalytic Therapy:
Delving into the subconscious can unearth deeply ingrained self-esteem issues that contribute to low confidence. In examining past experiences and patterns, you can gain insight into the origins of any self-doubt. Addressing these, alongside a professional, helps release emotional baggage and approach it with self-belief.
Types of Confidence Issues that Benefit from Counselling
Low self-esteem: often stems from a distorted self-concept formed by negative experiences or societal pressures. Counselling offers a guided process of reconstructing one’s self-view.
Social anxiety: can shatter confidence in social situations. Confidence-building conversations through counselling, like in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, can equip you with tools to manage anxiety and challenge irrational thoughts.
Career-related confidence: is about one’s belief in the ability to excel in a career. Counselling aids in setting realistic, tangible goals that help overcome imposter syndrome, as well as improving decision-making skills. It empowers you to pursue advancements with self-assurance.
Methods Used in Counselling to Improve Confidence
Affirmations are powerful for reshaping self-perception, you are trying to fight negative thoughts with more personal positive ones.
Repeating these affirmations can rewire the brain to embrace the positivity and help you become more confident.
Another technique that is particularly effective in addressing social anxiety is role-playing. Within counselling sessions, in a safe environment, you simulate real-life scenarios and confidence-building exercises. It can help with assertiveness, active listening and effective communication.
As your confidence grows within this controlled setting, it extends into real-world interactions.
Recommended by many counsellors, journaling and self-reflection encourage noting down any progress, challenges or breakthroughs you may experience. It helps you develop some strong self-awareness, allowing you to recognise patterns of improvement and identify areas that still need your attention. By writing things down, you also have evidence of your growth, you can see you’ve come a long way and it’ll boost your confidence.
What Are the Limitations?
Everyone responds to various approaches differently. What works for you may not be the best fit for your friend, or partner. It’s okay for it to take time to find something that works.
Though it can take a huge commitment of your time, it can also be a little costly. You may even be wondering if the benefits justify the means. It’s a decision that you need to make based on your experiences and the long-term impact on your confidence and self-esteem.
Taking on counselling can bring up challenging emotions, you may need to confront your fears, insecurities, and honesty that you could owe yourself. It’s important to have a supportive therapist who can guide you through, so you can feel comfortable in your journey towards self-assurance.
Final Thoughts
Counselling is incredibly effective at helping with confidence, you just need to find the way that works for you.
You could be dealing with low self-esteem, social anxiety, or career-related doubts, but don’t let yourself suffer in silence.
Get in touch with Diana Parkinson today, and let yourself breathe.
