How therapy can help with confidence issues

 

 

Many of your problems can be solved by being more confident in yourself. Confidence is when you believe you can accomplish something and are firm in that belief, and it can give you the determination to accomplish your goals. For example, if you want to start a business, your confidence can get you through the tough hurdles that come with it, like raising capital, talking to potential employees or clients, or making presentations. If you want to date someone, your confidence can give you the courage to ask that certain someone out and they will be attracted to how confident you are.

 

However, you can’t just flip a switch and magically become more confident in yourself. You may need the help of a professional, and online therapy is just one way you can accomplish this. Here are some types of therapy that can help improve confidence.

 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

 

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is when you try to adjust the thinking patterns that may be untrue or unhelpful. CBT will involve lessened negative thinking. The voice in your head that says “You can’t do it” can be identified, quieted, and replaced by different thoughts or behaviors that give you more confidence.

 

CBT can involve different techniques to improve your confidence, such as:

 

Cognitive Restructuring

 

This is when you look at assumptions, thinking patterns, and other thoughts that are self-defeating or unhelpful to your situation. Those thoughts that tell you that you can’t do it will be restructured into something more helpful and realistic, not just replacing your negative thoughts with delusions of grandeur, which can also be harmful.

 

For example, if you think you can’t get that job because you lack the necessary skills, cognitive restructuring looks for the positive traits you have so you realize that you have more to offer than you (distortedly) think. You can go into the interview and hopefully the job feeling much more confident about yourself and your abilities.

 

Systematic Exposure

 

Sometimes, the best way to improve your confidence about something is to jump in and actually do it. For example, if you’re not confident about speaking to potential people you’d like to date, systematic exposure could involve you systematically and gradually talking to a few people over a dating app first, then eventually speaking on the phone, then meeting in person. Through the gradual exposure to different levels of interaction, you may realize that talking to someone that you’re interested in is not as hard as you think. This is how many fears are resolved through CBT. Gradually exposing someone to an idea or an activity can make them feel much more confident about themselves.

 

Mindfulness

 

This is when your mind and senses focus in on the present. Your mind isn’t dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, giving it more room to thrive and appreciate the here and now. This can help people take more risks and live in the present, and it’s good for checking in with your body as well, focusing on your breath, actively attempting to relax any tense muscles, or even talking a quick walk to get some fresh air.

 

These are just a few ways to help improve your self-confidence and allow you to live a much better life. You’ll be surprised at how much more you can do when you’re more confident. It won’t give you superpowers or anything, but instead allow you to impress more people and give you the motivation to accomplish your dreams. You can get that job. You can get that date. You can reach your goals.