Self-Esteem & Confidence Therapy in Waterloo & Online Across Ontario
You deserve to feel good about who you are, not just what you do.
Do you find yourself second-guessing decisions, comparing yourself to others, or feeling like you're never quite good enough? Maybe you worry about what others think, struggle to set boundaries, or put pressure on yourself to get everything right.
At New Moon Counselling (NMC), we help children, teens, and adults work through self-doubt, build self-compassion, and develop a healthier relationship with themselves. Our goal isn't to help you feel confident all the time, but to help you feel more comfortable being yourself.
We offer in-person counselling in Waterloo and virtual therapy throughout Ontario.
Self-esteem is about how you see and value yourself, while confidence often relates to how comfortable you feel handling particular situations or challenges. They can influence one another, and both can change throughout different stages of life.
You might find yourself:
Frequently questioning your abilities or doubting your decisions.
Comparing yourself to others and feeling like you're falling behind.
Being overly critical of yourself or focusing on what you think you've done wrong.
Struggling to accept compliments or recognize your accomplishments.
Worrying excessively about what others think of you.
Finding it difficult to set boundaries or say no without feeling guilty.
Avoiding new experiences because you're afraid of failing or embarrassing yourself.
Feeling uncomfortable speaking up, sharing your opinions, or asking for what you need.
Putting a lot of pressure on yourself to be perfect or get everything right.
Tying your worth to your appearance, achievements, productivity, or relationships.
Feeling like you're not good enough, even when others reassure you otherwise.
How Do You Know If You're Struggling With Self-Esteem or Confidence
You don't need to relate to every item on this list to benefit from support. If the way you see yourself is affecting your relationships, decisions, or ability to enjoy life, therapy can help you explore what's happening and begin building a healthier relationship with yourself.
Our Self-Esteem & Confidence Therapists
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Amrit Babbra (she/her)
Registered Social Worker
Individual & Couples Therapy
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Angela Quail (she/her)
Registered Social Worker
Individual & EMDR Therapy
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Bethany Hanman (she/her)
Registered Psychotherapist
Individual Therapy
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Arsh Reddick (she/her)
Registered Social Worker
Individual & Teen Therapy -
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Jordan Hunsberger (he/him)
Registered Psychotherapist
Individual Therapy & Couples Therapy -
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Mais Haj-Ayoub (she/her)
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Individual Therapy
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Ivonne Hammoud (she/her)
Registered Social Worker, Clinical Director
Individual Therapy and Couples Therapy*Not accepting new clients
How Grief Therapy Can Help
When you're used to questioning yourself, it can be difficult to recognize just how much energy goes into trying to get things right, avoid disappointing others, or meet expectations that may feel impossible to reach. You might know that you're being hard on yourself but struggle to change that inner dialogue.
Therapy offers an opportunity to slow down and explore where these patterns come from, how they've affected you, and what it might look like to relate to yourself differently. You don't have to suddenly become more outgoing, fearless, or confident. The goal is to help you feel more comfortable with who you are and build trust in yourself over time.
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Our experiences, relationships, and the messages we receive growing up can influence the beliefs we develop about ourselves. Maybe you've learned to believe that you need to achieve more to be valued, keep everyone happy to be accepted, or avoid mistakes to feel good enough. Therapy can help you explore where these beliefs came from and whether they're still serving you today.
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That voice in your head can sometimes be much harsher than anything you'd say to someone you care about. You might replay mistakes, focus on what went wrong, or dismiss the things you've done well. Together, you can learn to recognize self-critical patterns and practise responding to yourself with more balance, understanding, and compassion. You don't have to believe every negative thought that crosses your mind.
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Confidence doesn't always arrive before you take a step outside your comfort zone. Sometimes, it grows through the experience of trying something new, speaking up, or making a decision even when you're uncertain. Therapy can help you identify what holds you back and gradually build confidence in situations that matter to you, without expecting you to get everything right.
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It's easy to look at other people and feel like you're somehow behind, especially when you're comparing your everyday life to the parts of others' lives you see on the surface. You might also feel that anything less than perfect means you've failed. Therapy can help you understand these patterns, challenge unrealistic expectations, and make room for a more realistic and compassionate view of yourself.
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If you're used to keeping others happy, saying no can feel uncomfortable, even when you're exhausted or overwhelmed. You might worry about upsetting someone, being misunderstood, or letting people down. Therapy can help you understand these fears, practise expressing your needs, and recognize that caring about others doesn't mean you have to put yourself last.
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Sometimes, low self-esteem can leave you feeling like you need to change who you are to fit in, be liked, or meet someone else's expectations. Therapy can help you explore your values, recognize your strengths, and develop a stronger sense of identity. You can begin making choices that feel true to you rather than constantly measuring yourself against what you think you should be.
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Building self-esteem isn't about convincing yourself that you're amazing every single day. It's about learning that you can make mistakes, have difficult days, and still treat yourself with kindness. Therapy can help you develop a more supportive inner voice and recognize that your worth isn't something you have to earn through achievement, appearance, or approval from others.
Self-Esteem and Confidence Therapy for Children, Teens, and Adults in Waterloo Region & Online Accross Ontario
Our relationship with ourselves evolves throughout life. At NMC, our therapists consider each person's age, experiences, and needs to help build confidence and a healthier sense of self.
Children: Children may struggle with mistakes, comparison, or fitting in. You might notice your child avoiding new activities or being hard on themselves. Therapy helps children recognize their strengths, express feelings, develop coping skills, and build confidence through age-appropriate activities.
Teens: Friendships, appearance, academics, and social media can add pressure during adolescence. Teens may struggle with comparison, identity, or feeling good enough. Therapy offers a judgment-free space to explore these challenges, strengthen self-esteem, and develop greater self-trust.
Adults: Low self-esteem can affect relationships, work, parenting, and personal expectations. You might struggle to advocate for yourself, fear judgment, or feel you need to prove your worth. Therapy can help you explore longstanding beliefs, establish healthier boundaries, and develop a more confident and compassionate relationship with yourself.
At New Moon Counselling, we recognize that self-esteem is shaped by many factors, including our experiences, relationships, and the beliefs we develop about ourselves over time. Our therapists work with you to explore these influences, recognize patterns that may be holding you back, and find ways to build a stronger sense of self. Depending on your needs and your therapist's training, therapy may incorporate approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, or other approaches that support self-understanding and personal growth. Together, we'll explore what feels helpful for you and work toward feeling more confident in your decisions, more comfortable setting boundaries, and less dependent on external approval to feel good about who you are.
You Don't Have to Keep Being Your Own Harshest Critic
You don't need to wait until you feel completely confident to make a change. Maybe you're tired of second-guessing yourself, want to feel more comfortable speaking up, or simply want to stop being so hard on yourself. Wherever you're starting from, there's room to build a different relationship with yourself.
At NMC, our therapists are here to help you explore what's getting in the way, recognize your strengths, and work toward feeling more comfortable in your own skin.
How We Approach Self-Esteem and Confidence at NMC
Ready To Get Started?
We make getting started easy!
New Clients
Ready to take the next step? You can book a counselling appointment directly online with one of our therapists using the button below.
If you have questions, would like help finding a therapist who feels like the right fit, or would prefer a little support with booking, simply fill out our contact form. We’ll be happy to connect with you and help you get started.
Existing Clients
You can log in to your account through your client portal to schedule or change appointments, or email us.
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