Therapy for Low Self-Esteem and Insecurity
Therapist for expats and internationals
Low self-esteem rarely announces itself. It hides in the apology you didn’t need to make, the compliment you deflected, the opportunity you didn’t apply for because “someone better” would get it anyway. Over time, that quiet inner voice telling you that you’re not enough can shape your relationships, your work, and the size of the life you allow yourself.
At Bloomwave, I provide a space where that voice can be questioned instead of obeyed. We’ll look at where it comes from, and work together on building a steadier sense of who you are. Book a first session to get to know each other. It’s free of charge, with no waiting list or referral required.
Location
🏠 Leiden
💻 Online
Languages
🇬🇧 English
🇪🇪 Estonian
Useful Info
⏱️ No waiting list
🧍Adults 18+
Who is this therapy for?
Insecurity touches almost everyone at times, but if it drives your daily decisions, it deserves attention. Many of my clients function well on the outside while privately doubting almost everything they do. You don’t need to hit a low point before working on how you relate to yourself.
You might recognize yourself in some of the experiences below:
- A harsh inner critic that comments on everything you do
- Difficulty accepting compliments or believing praise
- Comparing yourself to others and always coming up short
- People-pleasing, or trouble saying no
- Holding back from opportunities, dating, or friendships
- Feeling like a burden, or that you have to earn your place
Low self-esteem also often goes hand-in-hand with (signs of) depression and anxiety.
How therapy can help with self-esteem
Self-esteem isn’t something you’re simply born with or without. It’s built, and it can be rebuilt. Our work together is tailored entirely to your own experiences, patterns, and needs, and it goes beyond positive thinking: repeating kind words rarely helps if a deeper part of you doesn’t believe them.
Together we’ll trace where your self-image was formed and what keeps confirming it today. From there, I can help you challenge the old conclusions, practice treating yourself as someone worth standing up for, and gather new experiences that slowly make confidence feel earned rather than faked.
Some of my approaches to low self-esteem
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT helps you spot the biased lens through which you judge yourself, discounting successes and magnifying flaws. Together, we work on testing those beliefs against reality and building habits that support a fairer view of yourself.
Schema
Therapy
Schema Therapy goes to the roots of feeling not good enough, patterns that often began in early experiences of criticism, rejection, or comparison. By understanding and healing those origins, your sense of worth stops depending on constant approval.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
ACT helps you step back from harsh self-judgments instead of debating them. You learn to hold your inner critic more lightly and act on your values, so your life is shaped by what matters to you rather than by self-doubt.
Hi, I’m Laura!
Laura Ruusalu (She/Her)
As a licensed therapist and an expat myself, I know how starting over in a new country can shake your confidence, when familiar roles and reference points fall away. I’m originally from Estonia and grew up moving between Finland and Norway before finally settling in the Netherlands.
Now I offer therapy in English and Estonian, in Leiden and online. I mainly work with expats, international students, and LGBTQIA+ individuals who are tired of doubting themselves and ready to relate to themselves differently. My approach is evidence-based and focused on creating a safe space where you can be seen without being judged.
What you can expect when working with me
Free 30-minute session
Your journey begins with a free 30-minute online contact session, where we’ll explore how I can best support you.
Sliding scale pricing
I offer a sliding scale to keep therapy accessible, with rates based on your financial situation. €80 – €140 / hour
Personalised treatment
I use an integrative approach tailored to your individual needs and desires, always in collaboration.
Client testimonials
“Laura is amazing, as someone who intellectualises their feelings and experiences, finding a good psychologist is sometimes very difficult. However, Laura was heaven sent and has really helped me actually feel my feelings and process my traumas while also working on my triggers and coping mechanisms. Cannot recommend her enough. Thank you, Laura!”
– TK
“I had a very good experience with Laura. She is professional but also makes you feel very comfortable and made me realise things about myself that I still think about/use to this day (which is the first time this has happened for me in therapy). To me, this shows that Laura really listens to her clients.”
– ND
“Having tried various therapists in the past, I came in with feeling a little uneasy and curious to see how Laura from Bloomwave would address my issues and working together through therapy. I am a 22 year old female and I am extremely satisfied with my experience. In the past i often felt like I was not able to be fully understood. But with Laura I felt not only understood but also pulled out of my perceptions to think more critically and understand myself even better. Very professional and very good with helping one find comfort in the session environment. I hope to continue working with her for many sessions to come for my foreseeable future.”
– IW
Why choose Bloomwave practice?
- Personalised, integrative approach
- Accessible rates based on your financial situation
- No waiting list, no referral needed
- Safe space, LGBTQIA+ affirmative
Ready to take the next step?
If self-doubt has been making your decisions for you, therapy is a solid place to start changing that. I offer a free 30-minute online consultation so we can chat about what’s been going on and see if working together feels like the right next step for you. There’s no pressure and no obligation. The contact session gives us a chance to see if my approach matches what you need.