Self-Esteem Program

The developmental process during childhood and adolescence can be a daunting and sometimes isolating experience for some children/teenagers. Some find they don't fit in, while others establish social contacts and are able to grow within a healthy social environment. Children and adolescents who have difficulty coping tend to further withdraw from their peers and support network, i.e. their friends and family. When this occurs the child/teenager may have adopted a self-concept that they or others have constructed around them that is negatively biased. This experience may invoke feelings of worthlessness, rejection, depression and anxiety.

Self-esteem is how you feel about yourself and the extent to which you expect to be accepted and valued by adults and other children around you. To have a good opinion and good feelings about yourself is a crucial component of the life skills which lead to a successful contented future.

Self-esteem is a malleable characteristic in each person. Although it becomes strongly engrained as a trait, it is possible to develop the skill to create higher self-esteem and to escape the feelings of doubt, uncertainty and negativity which lead to low self-esteem.

Self-esteem issues can be identified by the following behaviour:

• Overly self-critical
• Lack of positive self-reinforcement
• Lack of socialisation
• Easily influenced by others
• Unsure of strengths
• Looks to others for reassurance and reinforcement
• Poor coping strategies
• The Self-Esteem Program runs for 6 weeks with one session per week
• Weeks 1 and 2 - Parents and students are involved in these first two sessions (90 mins each)
• Weeks 3-6 - Involve group-based interactive learning (90 mins each)

Program Procedure

Following is the procedure a subject undergoes for The Self-Esteem Program at the BrainWave Centre.

1. It is advisable that the subject arrives at the Diagnostic and Treatment Centre at least 10 minutes before their appointment time, notifying the receptionist of his/her arrival.
2. When one of our psychologists is ready to start, they will call the patient into the testing room with other members of the group undertaking this program.

At the BrainWave Centre, we offer a group program based on developing the skills that are fundamental to increased self-esteem. This therapeutic program is tailored to children during the prime developmental period of their self-awareness. The self-esteem program incorporates a fun and interactive learning forum, while focusing on developing an understanding of the self, feelings, problem-solving and skills in assertiveness.

Follow Up

The Self-Esteem Program runs for 6 weeks comprising of:

• 2 weeks of parenting skills (90 mins each)
• 4 weeks of group based interactive based learning (90 mins each)