Self-Criticism Therapists
If your inner voice tends to be harsh and critical, therapy can help you build a more compassionate relationship with yourself. Connect with therapists who understand self-criticism on First Session.
Self-criticism is that inner voice that judges, blames, or puts you down—often more harshly than you would ever speak to someone else. While some self-reflection can be helpful, persistent self-criticism can affect your mood, confidence, and overall wellbeing. It often develops as a way of trying to protect yourself or motivate change, but it tends to leave you feeling worse rather than better.
Working with a therapist can help you understand where your self-critical patterns come from and develop a more balanced, compassionate inner dialogue. Many therapeutic approaches are effective for this work, from exploring the roots of these patterns to practicing new ways of relating to yourself. On First Session, you can browse therapist profiles and watch intro videos to find someone you feel comfortable working with.
Aimee Pudifin
Aimee Pudifin
Nicky Lightstone
Nicky Lightstone
Justin Leung
Justin Leung
Ariella Boehm
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Ariella Boehm
Sabrina De Araujo
Sabrina De Araujo
Ting Jiang
Ting Jiang
Sharissa Woon Sam
Sharissa Woon Sam
Ghazal Ghoddousi
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Ghazal Ghoddousi
Wendy van Es
Wendy van Es
Daisie Auty
Daisie Auty
Gwyneth Hodgins
Gwyneth Hodgins
Calum Ramsay
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Calum Ramsay
Therapy is hard work.
Self-criticism refers to the tendency to judge yourself harshly, focus on your perceived flaws or mistakes, and speak to yourself in a negative or demanding way. It goes beyond healthy self-reflection and often involves unrealistic standards, perfectionism, or an inability to give yourself credit for your efforts. Many people experience self-criticism without realizing how much it affects their daily life and emotional wellbeing.
Therapy for self-criticism may be helpful if you frequently put yourself down, struggle with perfectionism, have difficulty accepting compliments or acknowledging your achievements, or notice that your inner voice is often harsh or judgmental. It can also support people dealing with low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, or difficulty in relationships that may be connected to how they treat themselves.
Therapy for self-criticism often involves noticing your self-critical patterns, understanding where they come from, and gradually building a more compassionate way of relating to yourself. This might include exploring early experiences that shaped your inner critic, learning to challenge unrealistic standards, and practicing self-compassion. The work tends to be gentle and focused on building rather than fixing.
The duration varies based on how deeply rooted your self-critical patterns are and what other areas you want to address in therapy. Some people notice shifts in awareness fairly quickly, while developing lasting change in how you relate to yourself often happens gradually. Your therapist can help you set realistic expectations based on your situation.
Finding a therapist who feels warm and non-judgmental is especially important when working on self-criticism. On First Session, you can watch therapist intro videos to get a sense of their personality and approach. Notice whether they seem compassionate and like someone you could be honest with about your struggles.
Browse therapists on First Session who work with self-criticism, watch their intro videos, and book directly online when you find someone who feels like a good fit. Many therapists offer both online and in-person sessions to suit your preferences.