New self-esteem therapy group at Albany

Low self-esteem can seriously undermine quality of life, but help is available through a new programme on offer at Massey University’s Centre for Psychology at Albany.

The eight-week programme will give participants techniques to improve their self-esteem by re-evaluating negative thoughts and behaviour that result in low self-esteem, says Isabelle Miclette, a psychology intern who is running the programme along with registered clinical psychologist Anita Bellamy.

She says low self-esteem is a common problem but people do not always know what to do about feelings of not being good enough, of doubting themselves and their decisions, and constantly comparing themselves to others.

The group sessions, using cognitive behavioural therapy techniques, provide an ideal setting for change, she says.

“The group factor is really important in producing positive change,” Ms Miclette says. “In a group, there is a normalisation of the problem. Bringing people together in groups is a powerful way of making changes at an individual level.”

“We take a strengths-based approach, so we focus on sharing the ways we cope. It’s this sharing of experiences, talking with and listening to others, that gives people hope, as well as a sense of self-acceptance and possibilities for change.”

The programme is based on the work of Melanie Fennell, a pioneer of cognitive therapy for depression in Britain, and a founder member of the Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre.

Participants will be given practical tasks to do between sessions, and can expect to experience improved moods, a better quality of life, more satisfying relationships, as well as learning how to cope better with life’s ups and downs, she says. The tools they learn will empower them to “become their own therapist”, which helps maintain self-esteem long-term.

The two-hour weekly sessions are reasonably priced and will be held between 10am and 12pm from Wednesday, August 31. The programme is open to anyone including mothers, retired and unemployed people, and new immigrants. Participants will be assessed prior to the course. Groups will have a maximum of 10.