BROOKE POMERANTZ, LCSW | CALIFORNIA THERAPY & THERAPY IN OAKLAND
Self-Esteem Therapy in OaklandYou don’t have to measure your worth by moving targets. Whether you meet with me in person at my North Oakland office or through secure online sessions, therapy can help you build a steadier, more grounded sense of self.
What Does Low Self-Esteem Feel Like?
Self-esteem is your fundamental sense of self-worth. Many people end up defining that worth by things that are outside their control or are fleeting such as income, titles, other people’s approval which can create a constant sense of chasing and not having agency. You might feel “not enough,” second-guess yourself, or notice you’re hard on yourself when you make mistakes. It can feel lonely, confusing, and stuck.
Where Low Self-Esteem Often Begins
Our earliest experiences of being cared for shape what we internalize about our value in the world. When care was inconsistent or insufficient, it can leave a sense of lack or unworthiness. Feeling powerless to affect change, or alone with adversity, can deepen that stuckness. Understanding these roots helps loosen their hold.
How I Work with “Not Enough”
We’ll unpack what “not enough” specifically means for you and where those messages came from. Rather than trying to talk you out of your experience, we’ll examine family patterns, cultural inputs (including social media), and the functions those beliefs may serve. In the therapeutic relationship, you’ll have a consistent, corrective experience of being seen and accepted as you are – something you can begin to internalize.
Common Reasons People Seek Therapy for Self-Esteem
External measures feel like they run your life
Self-worth tied to productivity, achievement, or others’ needs
Feeling you only have value when you’re giving or doing
Defining success by external approval rather than internal fulfillment
Confusion about what’s true
Experiencing feeling unsure what you actually want or need
Mixed messages from family, culture, or social media
Losing clarity about who you are outside of your roles or accomplishments
Impact on Daily Life or Relationships
Feeling disconnected from your own values or intuition
Struggling to differentiate your authentic desires from others’ expectations
Losing clarity about who you are outside of your roles or accomplishments
How Therapy Can Help You Build Self-Worth
Therapy offers a safe, attuned, and supportive relationship where we can understand how your sense of value formed and what strengthens it now.
Know and trust yourself
We’ll deepen your self-knowledge, integrate different parts of you, and strengthen trust in your own wisdom.
Identify and honor your needs
We’ll clarify wants and needs, support you in taking up appropriate space, and practice boundaries that protect what matters.
Develop self-compassion and flexibility
Together we’ll build the capacity to tolerate imperfection, learn from regret, and stay sturdy when life is challenging.
Shift what “counts” as worth
We’ll explore moving from external metrics to living in a way that’s consistent with your values, so your worth isn’t as fragile.
My Approach to Self-Esteem Therapy
I work relationally and collaboratively. We’ll go at your pace and stay with what feels most pressing or confusing—no top-down directives. In our work, we may:
1) Identify how you currently locate your worth and explore values-based alternatives
2) Practice boundary-setting and asking for what you need
3) Build mindfulness and self-soothing skills to support a kinder inner voice
4) Reflect on strengths you may not yet see in yourself
5) Consider involving supports or, if relevant, discussing medication with your prescriber
What to Expect in Our First Sessions
In our first four sessions together, my focus is on getting to know you – really understanding your story, your relationships, and what brings you to therapy.
Explore Your History
Early sessions focus on your story: what’s been hard, how you’ve been coping, and what “enough” has meant in your life.
We’ll look at relationships, stressors, and daily rhythms, and start to notice patterns—where worth gets questioned, what triggers shame or self-criticism, and where agency lives.
Set Goals
By our fifth session, we’ll start identifying therapy goals together.
I’ll share my insights based on what I’ve learned so far, and we’ll collaborate to shape a direction that feels aligned with your needs, values, and intentions.
Review & Iterate
This early work lays the foundation for meaningful, focused therapy moving forward.
I believe it’s important for us to check in regularly and adjust the treatment as needed, so it continues to support you in the best way possible.
About Me
I’m Brooke Pomerantz, a licensed therapist based in Oakland and serving clients across California, New York, and Indiana. My approach is warm, collaborative, active, and grounded in many years of clinical work experience, ongoing professional development and consultation and my desire to be accessible and deeply humane in doing this work. I’m here to support you through life’s challenges with thoughtful, personalized therapy.
Brooke Pomerantz
Brooke Pomerantz is a compassionate and experienced licensed clinical social worker dedicated to providing supportive therapy services in Oakland and through teletherapy across California. With a focus on creating a safe and nurturing environment, Brooke helps clients navigate life’s challenges, fostering growth and healing through personalized therapeutic approaches.