About self-love
On this page you will find therapists who focus on self-love and self-compassion, with searchable profiles that describe approaches, languages and areas of emphasis. Browse the listings below to learn about different styles of care and identify therapists whose focus aligns with your goals.
What to compare in entries
| Credentials | A US state licence, or membership of a professional body such as BACP or NCPS. They are different kinds of thing; each profile shows what was supplied. |
|---|---|
| Focus | Whether self-love is listed as a main focus or among the wider list of areas. Entries show both. |
| Way of working | The approaches named on the entry. Two people working with the same concern can describe very different sessions. |
| Time in practice | Years in practice, as supplied. A fact to weigh, not a ranking. |
| Language | The languages sessions can be held in, where that matters to you. |
Common questions
How were these entries chosen?
Everyone listed on this page has self-love among the areas they told the platform they work with. They are not ranked, rated or endorsed by this directory, and the order is not a recommendation.
Do I need a referral to start?
No. You can contact a therapist through their entry directly. A GP referral is not required for independent online therapy.
What if the first therapist is not right?
Changing therapist is normal and expected, and can be done at any point. One session is a small sample of how someone works.
Entries for self-love
Savithri (Savi) Jayaweera, NCPS
Ref 151058
Compassionate counsellor for complex life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English, Hindi, Sinhala
View listingHillary Gonzalez, LCSW
Ref 214393
Person-centered social worker focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Depression Languages: English
View listingJoy Nussen, LMFT
Ref 13668
Practical, compassionate therapy for adults
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingEleanor Dillon, NCPS
Ref 236009
Compassionate counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Parenting, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingCindy Singh, LCSW
Ref 307805
Practical support for stress and life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English
View listingHeidi-Christa Adams, LPC
Ref 355066
Compassionate counselor guiding practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Intimacy-related issues Languages: English
View listingJoanne Maddison, BACP
Ref 276861
Compassionate counsellor blending insight and practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Parenting Languages: English
View listingJames French, BACP
Ref 203032
Practical support for anxiety and life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDr. Paula Alvarez, LCSW
Ref 29756
Compassionate clinical social worker with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger Languages: English
View listingTomasz Konieczny, BACP, NCPS
Ref 199992
Practical, compassionate online counselling
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger Languages: English, Polish
View listingSimon Nelson, BACP
Ref 281876
Calm, straightforward support for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English
View listingMargaret Johnston, LMHC
Ref 62092
Calm listening that helps you move forward
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingClement West, BACP
Ref 167549
Gentle, practical support for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDavid Potts, LCSW
Ref 23255
Practical, compassionate therapy for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingNicola Claydon, NCPS
Ref 183763
Calm, practical support for complex life issues
Works with: Relationship, Trauma and abuse, Intimacy-related issues Languages: English
View listingPamela Benoit, NCPS, BACP
Ref 180577
Compassionate practical psychotherapy
Works with: Relationship, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingChristina Rodriguez, LPC
Ref 286005
Helping people build calm and stronger self-worth
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingRichard Gordon-Smith , NCPS
Ref 120083
Straightforward, experienced counsellor for complex issues
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Parenting Languages: English
View listingIvy Medow, LPC
Ref 300506
Practical counseling for life transitions
Works with: Family, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingAnnette OBryant, LPC
Ref 77726
Compassionate counselor focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Parenting Languages: English
View listingCaroline Woodford, BACP
Ref 203033
Person-centred counselling with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Eating Languages: English
View listingVictoria Postles, BACP
Ref 164179
Practical, person-led counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDanielle Horn, LMSW
Ref 272733
Focused therapy that digs to the root
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingJemma Heath, NCPS
Ref 197911
Support for stress, relationships and confidence
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingWellington Cesar Assis Bueno, BACP
Ref 226813
Healing emotions, building clearer choices
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Trauma and abuse Languages: English, Portuguese
View listingKizzie Wells-Daniels, LPC
Ref 67515
Therapist for stress, parenting, and life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Parenting, Anger Languages: English
View listingAllysia Steward, LCSW
Ref 331970
Compassionate skills-based therapy for daily life
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingRebecca "Becca" Mather, BACP
Ref 236007
Compassionate, practical support for life’s pressures
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Parenting Languages: English
View listingJoanne Rothery, NCPS
Ref 179003
Compassionate counsellor for stress and trauma
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDr. Heather Clark, LPC
Ref 126027
Calm-focused therapy with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingJessica Hobart, LCSW
Ref 201728
Practical support for stress and life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingSara Lowe, LPC
Ref 104527
Practical, compassionate therapy for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Depression Languages: English
View listingFrank Centonze, LPC
Ref 297421
Direct, practical counseling for emotional recovery
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingAlexandra Matustik, LMFT
Ref 350108
Compassionate therapist for life transitions
Works with: Relationship, Trauma and abuse, Parenting Languages: English
View listingCozy Gray, LPC
Ref 349996
Practical support for stress and life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Coping with life changes Languages: English
View listingFaryal Choudry, LCSW
Ref 266995
Compassionate guidance for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingSherry Ramsey Hansen, LPC
Ref 352558
Collaborative counselor focused on practical progress
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingJade Round, BACP
Ref 180505
Practical, person-focused therapy for life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingAdrian Jackson, BACP
Ref 271038
Compassionate counsellor using practical, person-focused methods
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Relationship Languages: English
View listingDestiny York, LPC
Ref 340789
Compassionate, practical counseling for life changes
Works with: Addictions, LGBT, Relationship Languages: English
View listingSarah Anderson, NCPS
Ref 133882
Practical support for stress and life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingCecile Terrelonge, BACP
Ref 134582
Person-centred counsellor offering practical support
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Family Languages: English
View listingAnjanette Morton, LMHC
Ref 207471
Calm, practical support for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingMichael Witham, LPC
Ref 56161
Practical, person-focused counseling for daily struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger Languages: English
View listingMaryrobin Smelzer, LCMHC
Ref 342370
Compassionate guidance for practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Parenting Languages: English
View listingLisa Peter, LCSW, LIMHP
Ref 288708
Practical skills for anxiety and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingMyisha Jones, LCSW
Ref 355003
Compassionate, practical therapy for stress and trauma
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingMore about self-love
What self-love means and how it shows up in daily life
Defining self-love in practical terms
Self-love is often described as a steady attitude of acceptance, care and respect toward yourself. It is not an unending state of euphoria but rather a set of habits and perspectives that shape how you speak to yourself, how you set boundaries and how you meet your own needs. For some people self-love looks like clearer limits in relationships, and for others it appears as a gentler inner voice when mistakes happen. You may recognize it in small acts - allowing rest when tired, asking for help, or naming and validating your feelings - rather than in grand gestures.
How a lack of self-love can affect everyday functioning
When self-love is diminished you might notice persistent self-criticism, people-pleasing, chronic indecision or avoidance of new challenges for fear of failure. These patterns can shape career decisions, friendships and romantic relationships, and they can make routine stress feel heavier. You may find yourself replaying negative messages from your past, discounting achievements, or feeling unworthy of care. Therapy that focuses on self-love aims to help you recognize these patterns, build alternatives and create practices that support sustainable self-regard.
Signs you might benefit from therapy focused on self-love
Emotional and behavioral signals
If you regularly harshly criticize yourself, compare yourself unfavorably to others, or have difficulty accepting compliments, these are common signals that working on self-love could be helpful. You might notice perfectionism that leads to procrastination, or difficulty taking up space in conversations and at work. Repeated cycles of self-sabotage - where opportunities are undermined by fear or doubt - can also indicate that underlying beliefs about your worth are affecting choices. Therapy provides a space to notice these automatic responses and understand their origins.
Situational signs that point to self-love work
Often life events trigger the decision to focus on self-love. A breakup, a job transition, becoming a parent, or recovering from burnout can reveal a depleted internal resource for care. You may find that when external supports shift, your sense of self is fragile. If you are seeking greater resilience, clearer boundaries, or a kinder inner dialogue, targeted therapeutic work can help you strengthen the habits and beliefs that underpin self-respect.
What to expect in therapy sessions that emphasize self-love
The beginning of the process
Early sessions typically focus on building rapport and mapping your current struggles and strengths. You and your therapist will explore the patterns that undermine self-compassion and identify moments when your inner critic is most active. This phase is often about increasing awareness: noticing how thoughts, feelings and body sensations interact when you are hard on yourself. You can expect to be invited to describe real-life moments rather than only speaking in abstract terms, because concrete examples make it easier to test new responses.
Ongoing work and practical exercises
As therapy continues you will likely practice alternatives to self-critical habits. That work can include developing kinder internal language, experimenting with boundary-setting in a low-stakes context, and learning strategies to soothe intense emotion when it arises. Homework may be suggested to integrate new skills between sessions, such as short reflective exercises, journaling prompts or small behavioral experiments. Progress tends to be gradual and nonlinear, so you will work with your therapist to set goals that are realistic and measurable.
Common therapeutic approaches used to support self-love
Talk-based and cognitive approaches
Therapists who list cognitive-behavioral approaches among their methods often focus on identifying and testing negative self-beliefs. You may learn to notice automatic thoughts that drive self-judgment and practice reframing or questioning those thoughts. Acceptance-based approaches emphasize noticing painful inner experiences without escalating them, which can create more space for self-compassion. Narrative approaches invite you to examine and rewrite the stories you tell about yourself, helping to shift identity from a fixed set of flaws to a more nuanced account of strengths and struggles.
Experiential, somatic and creative approaches
Some therapists who list somatic or body-centered methods among their approaches work with the physical sensations that accompany shame and self-criticism, guiding you to regulate the nervous system and reconnect with bodily signals of safety. Therapists who include mindfulness or compassion-focused exercises offer practices for grounding attention and cultivating a kinder inner voice. Others who list art or expressive therapies among their approaches provide alternative ways to explore identity and self-image through creative processes, which can be especially useful if words feel limiting.
How online therapy works for self-love work and how to choose a therapist
What online therapy is like for this specialty
Online therapy for self-love typically uses video sessions, phone calls or messaging to create an ongoing therapeutic relationship. Many people find the familiarity of being in their own environment makes it easier to bring real-life examples into sessions. When you work online, your therapist can help you translate insights into your home context and practice new behaviors in the same setting where you encounter old patterns. Online care also allows for flexible formats - for example, shorter frequent check-ins or longer in-depth sessions - so you can shape the rhythm of support to match your needs.
Practical tips for choosing the right therapist for self-love
When you review profiles, pay attention to how therapists describe their focus and their language around self-compassion. Look for clinicians who explicitly mention work with self-esteem, inner critic, boundaries or self-compassion as part of their emphasis. Note the therapeutic approaches listed and remember that an approach name is an indicator of style rather than a guarantee of outcomes; some therapists list cognitive, mindfulness, narrative or somatic approaches among their methods. Consider the languages spoken and any cultural competence or population focus that matches your identity or life context. It can also be helpful to read therapist biographies to get a sense of whether their tone and values resonate with you. Trusting your initial impression about whether you can be open with someone matters because the relationship itself is a central part of change.
Questions you might bring to early sessions
In an initial conversation you might ask how the therapist typically structures work on self-compassion, what kinds of homework they suggest, and how they measure progress. You can ask about the balance between insight-oriented discussion and practical skill-building. Some people also find it useful to ask how the therapist supports emotion regulation during intense moments, or how they incorporate cultural context into self-worth work. These questions can help you gauge whether the therapist's approach aligns with your preferences for pace, style and practical focus.
Choosing to focus on self-love is a gradual process that involves both internal shifts and behavioral practices. With reflective work and supportive therapeutic guidance you can develop habits that lead to more consistent self-regard, kinder self-talk and clearer boundaries. Use the listings below to explore profiles, approaches and languages so you can find a therapist whose emphasis matches the kind of growth you hope to achieve.