COUNSELLING IN BRIGHTON AND HOVE

Exploring Who You Are and How You See Yourself

The way we see ourselves can shape every part of our lives – from the relationships we build to the choices we make and the way we move through the world. When self-esteem is low, or questions around identity feel unresolved, life can begin to feel like a constant tension between who you are and who you feel you should be.

If you find yourself caught in patterns of self-doubt, feeling disconnected from your sense of self or living with a persistent feeling that you are not good enough, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Humanistic counselling offers a space to explore these experiences with honesty, curiosity and care.

I offer in-person counselling in Brighton, and online sessions for individuals based elsewhere. However we work together, you will be met with warmth, empathy and a safe space in which to speak freely, without judgement or expectation.

What It Feels Like to Struggle with Self-Esteem or Identity

Low self-esteem is not always easy to spot. For some, it is a loud inner critic – a voice that questions their worth or tells them they are not enough. For others, it is a quieter, more subtle sense of uncertainty – a difficulty trusting their own judgement or believing in themselves.

You may notice a tendency to compare yourself to others, often feeling as though you fall short. You may find it difficult to accept compliments, or feel as though you are playing a role rather than simply being yourself. For some, self-doubt can feel so ingrained that it affects their ability to make decisions, speak up or take opportunities.

Feelings around identity can be just as complex. You may feel disconnected from your sense of self, uncertain of what you truly want, or unclear about who you are beyond the expectations of family, culture or past experiences.

However these difficulties present themselves, they can be exhausting and isolating. But identity is not fixed, and self-worth is not something one either has or does not have. These are aspects of the self that can be explored, understood and gently worked with in a supportive counselling space.

How Humanistic Counselling Can Help

Humanistic counselling is not about changing who you are. It is about creating a space where you can explore what it means to be you, away from the pressure of self-doubt, expectation or old narratives that may have shaped how you see yourself.

Together, we can begin to understand where critical thoughts and feelings of not being enough may have come from. These are often not inherent truths, but messages that have been absorbed over time – from childhood, relationships or societal influences. As we begin to unpack these experiences, it can become easier to see yourself more clearly and with greater compassion.

This approach to therapy can help you reconnect with your own values, needs and desires, rather than relying on external definitions of who you should be. It can also offer a space to reflect on personal identity more broadly – whether that relates to gender, culture, life transitions or a sense of not quite belonging.

The aim of our work together is not to create a ‘better’ version of you, but to support you in feeling more at home within yourself – more able to trust your own voice and move through life with greater ease and self-acceptance.

Counselling in Brighton and Online Therapy

I offer face-to-face counselling for individuals in Brighton, as well as online therapy for those who prefer or require remote sessions. Whether we meet in person or online, the therapeutic process remains the same – an open and respectful space where you can begin to explore your sense of self, at your own pace.

Finding Your Own Way Forward

If you are feeling lost, unsure of who you are or stuck in persistent cycles of self-doubt, you do not have to face it alone. Counselling can provide a space to reflect on these experiences and explore new ways of understanding yourself, without pressure to have all the answers.

If you would like to take the next step, you are welcome to get in touch to arrange an initial session or to ask any questions about how I work. However uncertain things may feel at the moment, change is possible – and you are not alone in beginning that journey.