Shop 1/1B Coulson Street
Erskineville NSW 2043
View Directions
Diverse Minds Map
02 9519 1519

Self Understanding

18116483

Identity

A key developmental phase during adolescence is identity formation. Due to the number of physical, emotional and social changes taking place within the transition to adulthood, adolescents are constantly in a process of reflection, inquiry and exploration.

They begin to develop moral beliefs and self-definitions around their strengths and weaknesses, interests, values, and cultural or social reputation. When recognising what makes them unique, identity formation can become extremely challenging as a result of the social pressure to conform.  Factors such as culture, ethnicity, gender, disability or physical appearance can cause unease when adolescents feel different from their peers. 

How we can help...Read more.
At Diverse Minds we aim to address these feelings by providing adolescents with greater psychoeducation and self-awareness around their own abilities.

We aim to develop a positive and supportive home environment through working with families and providing strategies for establishing a secure base from which adolescents can explore their sense of self.

Our psychologists aim to enhance self-esteem and build resilience in adolescents, through identifying negative thought patterns and engaging in cognitive behavioural and acceptance therapies.

Self-esteem

Self-esteem represents an individual’s evaluation of their own self-worth. The development of self-esteem begins at an early age, through an ongoing discovery of images and ideals related to the self.

In adolescence individuals identify differences in academic, physical, social and occupational self-worth, while also deciding what aspects are important to them.  When adolescents feel that their expectations and beliefs match with reality, they will feel confident and content. Should an individual have a negative self-evaluation, they will experience low self-esteem.

An adolescent with reduced self-esteem is more at risk for developing low mood and possible depression. Specifically, the development of internal (“I caused this”), stable (“I will always be like this”) and global (“Everything I do is wrong”) negative attributions of the self, can cause an individual to feel a sense of hopelessness. 

How we can help...Read more.
In adolescence, peer relations are largely linked to self-esteem, whereby social inclusion and likeability become primary areas of concern for the individual.

During sessions, our psychologists provide social skills that can be implemented when interacting with others. Sessions also encourage adolescents to use positive and self-accepting language to reinforce constructive thoughts and ideas of self-concept.

Developing resilience and tolerance through therapy is important to ensure that adolescents can deal with mistakes without generalising failure and cope with the challenges that they may face.