Журнал психологии и психотерапии
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Therapist's Sense of Low Self-Esteem

Rachel Bar-Yossef-Dadon

Anyone can experience low self-esteem, including psychotherapists. Self-esteem is explored here first by examining theoretical aspects including primary narcissism, mirroring needs, and the disparity between actual self and ideal self. Additional theories include achievement as an essential component of self-esteem and importance of cultural context, emphasizing the impossibility of self-esteem in the highly competitive, perfectionist Western society. Interventions for self-esteem enhancement are presented, followed by a case study from the literature and a fictional case study. Finally, there is a call for recognition of the psychotherapist’s difficult position that requires reflection upon his self-esteem while always risking being drawn into an exaggerated reflection that can interfere with or even damage the patient’s needs.