Top-Rated Self-Esteem Counselor | NJ

Rediscover your authentic self and build lasting confidence with evidence-based self-esteem therapy

  • Licensed clinical psychologist with over twenty years of experience helping clients overcome self-doubt

  • EMDRIA-certified therapist specializing in transforming negative self-beliefs at their emotional source

  • Integrative approach combining EMDR with Brainspotting, IFS, and Somatic Therapy for comprehensive healing

  • Expert in helping high achievers break free from perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and people-pleasing

  • Create a genuine therapeutic relationship where you can finally remove your "mask" and embrace your true self

  • Flexible treatment options including both weekly sessions and intensive therapy experiences for accelerated results

"If you're looking for a therapist who embodies both warmth and expertise, I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Sprung." -A.H., Google review

"If you're looking for an experienced trauma therapist, I'd highly recommend Abrah." L.B., Google review

"Abrah is an exceptional clinical psychologist whose dedication to her clients’ well-being is evident in everything she does." -S.L.N., Google review

Meet your New Jersey trauma therapist

Abrah Sprung, Ph.D., PMH-C

Self Esteem Therapist NJ

As a licensed clinical psychologist with over twenty years of experience, I've dedicated my practice to helping people who struggle with feeling "not enough" transform their relationship with themselves. My journey to specializing in self-esteem therapy began through my work with trauma survivors, where I witnessed how deeply negative self-beliefs impact every aspect of life.

I bring both professional expertise and personal understanding to our work together. Having navigated my own healing journey, I've experienced firsthand the transformative power of addressing self-worth at its root. I combine EMDR, Brainspotting, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Somatic approaches to help you break free from self-criticism and discover genuine self-acceptance. My background includes advanced certification in trauma-focused therapies that address the underlying causes of low self-esteem, not just the symptoms.

My approach to counseling for low self-esteem

I believe lasting self-confidence comes from addressing the whole person—mind, body, and emotions. Rather than focusing only on positive thinking or behavior change, my approach targets the deeper emotional and bodily experiences that maintain negative self-beliefs.

Through EMDR therapy, we identify and process the experiences that shaped your self-image, replacing limiting beliefs with empowering truths that you can feel on a gut level. When beneficial, I integrate Brainspotting to access deeper brain regions where self-doubt is stored, IFS to heal the parts of you caught in patterns of self-criticism, and Somatic Therapy to release tension and shame held in your body.

This comprehensive approach allows us to work beyond surface-level affirmations to create transformation at your core. You won't just intellectually know your worth—you'll truly feel it, creating a foundation for authentic confidence that persists even during challenging times.

How to start self esteem therapy in NJ

Step 1: Book a free consultation

Take the first step toward healing by scheduling a complimentary 20-minute phone consultation. We'll discuss your self-esteem issues and how my approach might help you overcome them. This conversation gives us both a chance to determine if we're the right fit before committing to therapy.

Step 2: Complete your initial assessment

During our first session, we'll explore your history, current challenges, and goals in greater depth. I'll explain how EMDR and my integrative approach can specifically address your challenges with low self-esteem, and together we'll create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.

Step 3: Begin your transformation

Through targeted therapy sessions, you'll process the experiences that shaped your self-perception, release outdated beliefs, and develop genuine self-acceptance. Many clients begin noticing positive shifts in how they feel about themselves within their first few sessions as they connect with their authentic worth.

Common reasons why people start self-esteem counseling

  • Perfectionistic tendencies often stem from the belief that your worth depends on flawless performance. If you find yourself stuck in cycles of overwork, harsh self-criticism when you make mistakes, or avoiding challenges for fear of failing, therapy can help you develop a more compassionate relationship with yourself while maintaining healthy motivation.

  • Difficulty saying "no" and prioritizing others' needs over your own often indicates underlying self-worth issues. If you regularly feel resentful, overwhelmed, or "invisible" in relationships, we can address the root causes of these patterns and help you develop the confidence to honor your own needs and boundaries.

  • Persistent feelings of inadequacy despite external success can make professional and personal achievements feel hollow. If you're constantly second-guessing yourself, downplaying your accomplishments, or fearing you'll be "found out," therapy can help you internalize your competence and develop authentic confidence in your abilities.

  • Feeling like you can't be your authentic self with others often reflects fear of rejection based on early experiences. If you exhaust yourself trying to be who others want while hiding your true feelings and needs, therapy can help you discover and embrace your genuine self, leading to more connected, healthy relationships.

When another practice might be a better fit for your needs

  • If you're currently struggling with active substance use disorders requiring focused intervention, addressing these issues first with specialists in addiction recovery would be more beneficial. Once you've established stability in recovery, we can explore how self-esteem work might support your ongoing healing journey.

  • My practice integrates mind-body approaches that process emotional experiences stored in both the brain and body. If you prefer therapy focused primarily on changing negative thought patterns and shifting your behavior without addressing underlying emotional experiences, traditional cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with another provider might better align with your preferences.

  • If you're currently experiencing severe psychological distress, active suicidal thoughts, or require more frequent support than weekly sessions, starting with more intensive treatment options would better serve your immediate needs. I'm happy to provide referrals to other mental health professionals that offer this level of care.

FAQs about therapy for low self-esteem

  • Counseling helps improve low self-esteem by identifying and addressing the root causes of negative self-image. Through evidence-based approaches like EMDR therapy, we can process difficult past experiences that shaped how you view yourself and foster healthy self-esteem by updating those perceptions.

    The therapeutic relationship itself also plays a crucial role in building high self-esteem. Having a safe space where you can be fully authentic—without your usual "mask"—allows you to experience acceptance and validation that gradually becomes internalized.

    As we work together, you'll develop greater self-awareness, shift patterns of negative self-talk, learn to set healthy boundaries, and practice self-compassion in ways that feel genuine rather than forced.

  • The most effective self-esteem therapy addresses the root emotional experiences that shaped your self-perception, not just surface-level symptoms. While cognitive-behavioral techniques can help challenge negative thoughts, approaches like EMDR, Brainspotting, and Internal Family Systems (IFS) often create deeper, more lasting transformation because they target the emotional and physiological basis of self-worth issues.

    These approaches work by processing formative experiences where negative self-beliefs developed, allowing your brain to update these perceptions naturally. Rather than trying to convince yourself of your worth through positive affirmations, these therapies help you experience your inherent value on a visceral level, creating change that feels authentic rather than forced.

  • The timeline for building positive self-esteem varies based on several factors, including how longstanding your self-worth issues are, their underlying causes, and your current life circumstances. Many clients report noticing meaningful shifts within the first several sessions, with more substantial transformation occurring over a few months of consistent work.

    EMDR and other integrative approaches I use often create change more efficiently than traditional talk therapy alone. For those seeking accelerated progress, my intensive therapy options can help you make significant strides in a condensed timeframe. Throughout our work together, we'll regularly assess your progress and adjust our approach as needed to ensure you're experiencing meaningful improvement in how you feel about yourself.

self esteem therapist near me

Get Started Today

Get Started Today

Start working with a New Jersey therapist for self-esteem today

You don't need to accept low self-esteem as "just who you are." Through evidence-based therapy that addresses the root causes of negative self-perception, you can develop genuine confidence that remains stable even during life's challenges. We'll do more than just challenge negative self talk or try to think positively. By healing low self-esteem issues at their root, you'll notice that negative thoughts about yourself dissipate naturally.

As someone who's witnessed countless clients transform their relationship with themselves—and who has experienced the power of this work personally—I'm deeply committed to guiding you toward the authentic self-acceptance you deserve. The path to lasting self-esteem begins with a single step. Contact me today to schedule your free consultation and start cultivating a positive self-image.