Do you know the difference between self-esteem and self-acceptance? Is there a difference? Why is it even important? What would a counselor say?

Whether or not you use an affordable psychologist in Chicago, you have taken a moment to think about yourself and where you fit in your own world. Do you find value it or do you hold some secret insecurities? Let’s look at it from a Chicago Area Psychotherapist’s view.

Self-Esteem

Psychologists in Chicago see self-esteem as a person’s overall evaluation or his or her own worth. Self-esteem is typically based on your own value of yourself as a person, including your own emotional view of those beliefs. The belief in one’s self esteem can usually be related to one specific aspect of life. The problem with self-esteem is it can be fake. People can have high-self-esteem or pretend to because they have been told they do well at something but can be harboring serious self-doubt and insecurities.

Self-Acceptance

Our low cost psychiatrist in Chicago believes self-acceptance is a much better path to real happiness. No one is perfect. We all have our flaws, but being able to accept ourselves flaw, quirks, and all is real self-acceptance. To accept that you have aspects in life to work on and that you are not perfect gives one greater freedom to be themselves bases on real merit and not in a way that is seeking approval from others.

Self-acceptance is far more realistic way to fit yourself in to the world around you than self-esteem based on peer approval.

So what does this really mean for you? Finding self-acceptance versus building your self-esteem does not mean resigning yourself to the status quo, but rather accepting things as they are with an eye toward improving what you can and what you really want to.

We all have the goal in life to find happiness and be happy with ourselves. Dr. Parisi and Associates have play therapists, psychiatrists, and psychologists, in Chicago who can help whether your concern is your child or yourself.

For affordable counseling in Chicago and surrounding areas including Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Barrington, Hinsdale, Skokie, Lincolnwood, Park Ridge, and Wilmette, contact Dr. Parisi.