15 Self-Esteem Activities for You to Do with Your Teen Clients

Core beliefs are deeply held beliefs that influence how we perceive ourselves, others, and the world around us. Help your teen client identify their core beliefs by exploring their thoughts and feelings about themselves and their experiences.

Objectives:

• Increase self-awareness by identifying underlying beliefs.

• Challenge negative core beliefs and promote positive self-perception.

• Foster a sense of empowerment by recognizing the influence of beliefs on emotions and behaviors.

Steps to Implement:

1. Begin by discussing the concept of core beliefs with your teen client. Explain that these beliefs are often formed in childhood and can impact their self-esteem.

2. Ask your teen client to reflect on situations where they have felt strong emotions such as sadness, anger, or anxiety. These situations can provide clues to underlying core beliefs.

3. Encourage your teen client to write down their thoughts and beliefs about themselves in these situations. These may include beliefs about their worth, abilities, or how they perceive others.

4. Help your teen client identify any recurring themes or patterns in their beliefs. These are likely to be their core beliefs.

5. Guide your teen client to challenge negative core beliefs by exploring evidence that supports or contradicts these beliefs. Encourage them to develop more balanced and realistic beliefs.

Reflection/Discussion Point: Discuss with your teen client how their core beliefs influence their self-esteem and emotions. Help them reframe negative beliefs into more positive and empowering ones.

This activity can help your teen client become more aware of their core beliefs and how these beliefs impact their self-esteem and emotional well-being. By challenging negative core beliefs, they can cultivate a more positive self-perception and improve their overall mental health.

Negative self-talk refers to the inner dialogue or thoughts that are self-critical, self-defeating, or pessimistic. This activity helps teens recognize and challenge negative self-talk to improve their self-esteem.

Objectives:

• Increase awareness of negative self-talk patterns.

• Challenge and reframe negative self-talk into more positive and constructive thoughts.

• Enhance self-esteem by promoting self-compassion and self-acceptance.

Steps to Implement:

1. Start by explaining the concept of negative self-talk to your teen client. Describe how it can impact self-esteem and overall well-being.

2. Ask your teen client to keep a journal or log of their thoughts for a few days. Encourage them to write down any negative thoughts or self-criticisms they notice.

3. Review the journal together and identify common themes or patterns in their negative self-talk.

4. Help your teen client challenge these negative thoughts by asking questions such as, "Is this thought based on fact or opinion?" or "What would you say to a friend who had this thought?"

5. Guide your teen client to reframe negative thoughts into more positive and realistic ones. Encourage them to find evidence that contradicts their negative beliefs.

Reflection/Discussion Point: Discuss with your teen client how changing their negative self-talk can improve their self-esteem and overall outlook on life. Encourage them to practice self-compassion and kindness towards themselves.

By understanding and challenging negative self-talk, your teen client can learn to cultivate a more positive and supportive inner dialogue, leading to improved self-esteem and mental well-being.

In today's digital age, social media plays a significant role in shaping how teens perceive themselves. This activity aims to help teens develop a healthy relationship with social media and boost their self-esteem.

Objectives:

• Increase awareness of the impact of social media on self-esteem.

• Encourage critical thinking and discernment when consuming social media content.

• Promote self-acceptance and positive self-image.

Steps to Implement:

1. Start by discussing the influence of social media on self-esteem with your teen client. Explain how comparing oneself to others on social media can negatively impact self-esteem.

2. Encourage your teen client to reflect on their own social media usage and how it makes them feel. Ask questions like, "Do you feel better or worse about yourself after using social media?"

3. Help your teen client identify and unfollow accounts that make them feel inadequate or unhappy. Encourage them to follow accounts that promote body positivity and self-acceptance.

4. Discuss the concept of "highlight reels" on social media and how people often only show the best parts of their lives. Encourage your teen client to practice self-compassion and remember that what they see on social media is not the full picture.

5. Teach your teen client to use social media mindfully. Encourage them to take breaks when needed and prioritize real-life connections over virtual ones.

Reflection/Discussion Point: Discuss with your teen client how they can use social media in a way that enhances their self-esteem rather than diminishes it. Encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings about their social media usage.

By helping your teen client develop a healthy relationship with social media, you can empower them to use these platforms in a way that uplifts and supports their self-esteem.

This activity focuses on promoting self-love and respect, which are crucial components of healthy self-esteem. It encourages teens to appreciate themselves and treat themselves with kindness and compassion.

Objectives:

• Foster a sense of self-worth and self-respect.

• Encourage teens to practice self-compassion and self-care.

• Help teens recognize their inherent value and uniqueness.

Steps to Implement:

1. Begin by discussing the importance of self-love and respect in building self-esteem. Explain that self-love is about recognizing one's worthiness and treating oneself with kindness.

2. Encourage your teen client to make a list of things they love and appreciate about themselves. This can include personality traits, talents, or achievements.

3. Guide your teen client in creating a self-love mantra or affirmation. This should be a positive statement that they can repeat to themselves regularly to boost their self-esteem.

4. Discuss the concept of self-care and its role in promoting self-love. Encourage your teen client to identify activities that make them feel good and incorporate them into their routine.

5. Teach your teen client about setting boundaries and saying no when necessary. Help them understand that respecting their own boundaries is an act of self-love.

Reflection/Discussion Point: Have your teen client reflect on how practicing self-love and respect can impact their overall well-being. Encourage them to share any insights or challenges they may have encountered during the activity.

By promoting self-love and respect, you can empower your teen client to cultivate a positive self-image and build a strong foundation for healthy self-esteem.

This activity aims to help teens identify and challenge their negative self-talk, which can significantly impact their self-esteem. By recognizing and reframing negative thoughts, teens can develop a more positive self-perception.

Objectives:

• Raise awareness of negative self-talk and its effects.

• Teach teens strategies to challenge and reframe negative thoughts.

• Encourage the development of a more positive self-narrative.

Steps to Implement:

1. Start by discussing the concept of negative self-talk and how it can influence feelings of self-worth. Explain that negative self-talk often involves distorted or irrational beliefs about oneself.

2. Encourage your teen client to keep a thought journal for a few days. Ask them to write down any negative thoughts or self-criticisms that arise.

3. Help your teen client identify common patterns or themes in their negative self-talk. Discuss whether these thoughts are based on facts or distorted perceptions.

4. Teach your teen client how to challenge their negative thoughts using evidence-based techniques such as cognitive restructuring. Encourage them to replace negative thoughts with more realistic and positive ones.

5. Role-play challenging negative self-talk with your teen client. Practice identifying and reframing negative thoughts together.

Reflection/Discussion Point: Have your teen client reflect on how challenging their negative self-talk can impact their self-esteem. Encourage them to share any insights or changes in their thinking patterns they have noticed.

Challenging negative self-talk is a powerful way for teens to take control of their self-esteem and develop a more positive self-image.

This activity focuses on building teens' confidence by encouraging them to recognize their strengths and achievements. Confidence plays a crucial role in self-esteem, and helping teens build confidence can positively impact their overall well-being.

Objectives:

• Help teens identify their strengths and accomplishments.

• Encourage teens to celebrate their successes, no matter how small.

• Foster a sense of self-assurance and belief in their abilities.

Steps to Implement:

1. Start by discussing the importance of confidence in various aspects of life, such as school, relationships, and personal growth.

2. Ask your teen client to create a list of their strengths, talents, and past achievements. Encourage them to include even the smallest accomplishments.

3. Discuss each strength or achievement with your teen client. Help them recognize the positive impact these qualities have had on their life.

4. Encourage your teen client to set achievable goals based on their strengths and interests. Guide them in creating a plan to work towards these goals.

5. Role-play situations where confidence is key, such as public speaking or social interactions. Help your teen client practice using their strengths and accomplishments to boost their confidence.

Reflection/Discussion Point: Have your teen client reflect on how recognizing their strengths and achievements has affected their confidence levels. Discuss ways they can continue to build confidence in the future.

Building confidence is an ongoing process that can have a significant impact on teens' self-esteem and overall well-being.

This activity encourages teens to envision their future selves and reflect on their aspirations and goals. It can help them develop a positive outlook on the future and build hope and resilience.

Objectives:

• Encourage teens to think about their future selves and what they hope to achieve.

• Foster a sense of optimism and motivation for the future.

• Help teens recognize their ability to shape their own future through their actions and choices.

Steps to Implement:

1. Begin by explaining the purpose of the activity: to write a letter to their future selves.

2. Ask your teen client to imagine themselves 5 or 10 years from now. What do they see themselves doing? Where are they living? What achievements have they accomplished?

3. Provide them with writing materials and ask them to write a letter to their future selves. They can include their hopes, dreams, goals, and aspirations.

4. Encourage them to be specific and detailed in their letter. They can also include any challenges they may face and how they plan to overcome them.

5. After they have finished writing, have them seal the letter in an envelope. They can choose to keep the letter or give it to you to keep safe and return to them in the future.

Reflection/Discussion Point: Have your teen client reflect on the process of writing the letter. How did it feel to think about their future self? Did it change their perspective on their goals and aspirations?

This activity can help teens gain a sense of direction and purpose, which can positively impact their self-esteem and motivation to work towards their goals.

This activity helps teens identify the main factors that influence their self-esteem. By understanding these influencers, teens can begin to recognize and address negative influences while enhancing positive ones.

Objectives:

• Help teens identify the various factors that influence their self-esteem.

• Encourage teens to reflect on how these influencers affect their self-perception.

• Provide a framework for teens to analyze and potentially change negative influencers.

Steps to Implement:

1. Start by explaining the concept of influencers on self-esteem. These can include family, friends, media, and personal experiences.

2. Provide a list of common influencers and ask your teen client to identify which ones have the most impact on their self-esteem.

3. Encourage them to reflect on how these influencers affect their self-perception. Are there any negative influencers that they would like to change?

4. Discuss strategies for managing or changing negative influencers. This could include setting boundaries with negative people or limiting exposure to certain media.

5. Help them identify positive influencers that they can cultivate to enhance their self-esteem. This could include spending time with supportive friends or engaging in activities that make them feel good about themselves.

Reflection/Discussion Point: Ask your teen client to reflect on the influencers they identified. How do they plan to manage or change negative influencers? How can they nurture positive influencers to enhance their self-esteem?

By identifying and managing these influencers, teens can take control of their self-esteem and work towards a more positive self-perception.

This activity focuses on helping teens understand the importance of setting personal boundaries for their mental health and self-esteem. It encourages them to identify their boundaries and communicate them effectively.

Objectives:

• Help teens understand the concept of personal boundaries.

• Encourage teens to identify their own boundaries in various areas of their life.

• Provide strategies for teens to communicate their boundaries effectively.

Steps to Implement:

1. Start by explaining what personal boundaries are and why they are important for mental health and self-esteem.

2. Discuss different types of boundaries, such as physical, emotional, and social boundaries.

3. Ask your teen client to identify areas in their life where they feel they need to set boundaries. This could include relationships, school, or social media.

4. Encourage them to write down their boundaries and consider how they can communicate them effectively to others.

5. Discuss strategies for setting boundaries and assertively communicating them. This could include using "I" statements and being firm but respectful.

Reflection/Discussion Point: Ask your teen client to reflect on why setting boundaries is important for their self-esteem. How do they feel after setting boundaries in different areas of their life? How can they enforce these boundaries moving forward?

Setting and maintaining personal boundaries is an important aspect of self-esteem and mental health. It helps teens establish a sense of control and self-respect in their relationships and interactions.

Journaling is a powerful tool for self-reflection and self-expression. It allows teens to explore their thoughts and feelings in a safe and private space. Journaling can help teens gain insight into their self-esteem by identifying patterns in their thoughts and behaviors.

Objectives:

• To provide a creative outlet for teens to express their thoughts and feelings.

• To help teens identify and challenge negative self-talk.

• To promote self-awareness and self-reflection.

Steps:

1. Provide teens with a journal or notebook and encourage them to write regularly.

2. Prompt them with questions or writing prompts related to self-esteem, such as "What makes you unique?" or "What are three things you like about yourself?"

3. Encourage teens to write about their achievements, no matter how small, to boost their self-esteem.

4. Have teens reflect on their journal entries and identify any recurring negative thoughts or patterns.

Reflection/Discussion Point:

• Ask teens to reflect on how journaling has helped them become more aware of their self-esteem and how they can use this awareness to improve it.

This activity can be adapted based on the individual needs and preferences of each teen. It provides a structured and supportive way for teens to explore their self-esteem and work towards building a more positive self-image.

This activity helps teens identify factors that boost or reduce their self-esteem. By understanding these factors, teens can make conscious choices to enhance their self-esteem and reduce negative influences.

Objectives:

• To increase awareness of factors that contribute to self-esteem.

• To identify strategies for boosting self-esteem and minimizing negative influences.

Steps:

1. Provide teens with a list of common self-esteem boosters and reducers (see below).

2. Ask teens to reflect on their own experiences and identify which factors apply to them.

3. Encourage teens to create a plan for incorporating more boosters and reducing exposure to reducers in their daily lives.

Self-Esteem Boosters:

• Positive self-talk

• Supportive relationships

• Setting and achieving goals

• Engaging in activities they enjoy

• Practicing self-care

Self-Esteem Reducers:

• Negative self-talk

• Comparison to others

• Perfectionism

• Bullying or negative feedback

• Unrealistic standards

Reflection/Discussion Point:

• Discuss with teens how they can incorporate more self-esteem boosters into their daily routines and minimize exposure to self-esteem reducers. Encourage them to share their experiences and insights with the group.

This activity helps teens become more aware of the factors that influence their self-esteem and empowers them to take proactive steps towards building a healthier self-image.

This activity focuses on teaching teens how to communicate assertively, which can improve self-esteem by promoting self-respect and healthy boundaries.

Objectives:

• To understand the difference between passive, aggressive, and assertive communication.

• To practice assertive communication skills in various scenarios.

Steps:

1. Explain the concept of assertive communication to the teens, emphasizing the importance of expressing thoughts and feelings confidently and respectfully.

2. Provide examples of passive, aggressive, and assertive communication styles.

3. Engage the teens in role-playing exercises where they practice assertive responses to different situations (e.g., peer pressure, conflicts with friends or family).

4. Encourage open discussion about the challenges and benefits of assertive communication.

Sample Scenarios:

• Refusing peer pressure to engage in risky behavior.

• Expressing opinions or preferences in a group setting.

• Setting boundaries with friends or family members.

Reflection/Discussion Point:

• Ask the teens to reflect on their experiences with assertive communication. Discuss how using assertive communication can lead to more positive outcomes and increased self-confidence.

This activity helps teens develop essential communication skills that can improve their self-esteem and empower them to navigate social interactions more effectively.

This activity focuses on using positive affirmations to boost self-esteem and promote a positive self-image.

Objectives:

• To understand the concept of positive affirmations and their impact on self-esteem.

• To practice creating and using positive affirmations in daily life.

Steps:

1. Introduce the concept of positive affirmations to the teens, explaining that they are positive statements used to challenge and overcome negative thoughts.

2. Discuss the importance of self-talk and how positive affirmations can help reframe negative beliefs.

3. Guide the teens in creating their own positive affirmations. Encourage them to focus on their strengths, values, and goals.

4. Encourage the teens to repeat their affirmations daily, especially in moments of self-doubt or negativity.

5. Discuss the impact of using positive affirmations regularly and how it can improve self-esteem over time.

Sample Affirmations:

• "I am capable of achieving great things."

• "I deserve to be treated with kindness and respect."

• "I am enough just as I am."

Reflection/Discussion Point:

• Ask the teens to share their experience with using positive affirmations. Discuss any changes they have noticed in their thoughts or feelings about themselves.

This activity empowers teens to take control of their self-esteem by practicing positive self-talk and challenging negative beliefs.

This activity involves using a self-esteem rating scale to assess and track changes in self-esteem over time.

Objectives:

• To understand the concept of self-esteem and its importance in mental health.

• To assess current self-esteem levels and identify areas for improvement.

Steps:

1. Introduce the concept of self-esteem and explain that it refers to how we feel about ourselves and our worth.

2. Explain that self-esteem can be measured using a self-esteem rating scale, which typically consists of a series of statements that the individual responds to.

3. Provide the teens with a self-esteem rating scale and ask them to rate each statement based on how much they agree or disagree.

4. After completing the scale, discuss the results with the teens. Identify any patterns or areas where they may want to focus on improving their self-esteem.

5. Encourage the teens to revisit the self-esteem rating scale periodically to track their progress and see how their self-esteem changes over time.

Sample Self-esteem Rating Scale:

• On a scale of 1 to 5, rate the following statements:

  • I feel confident in myself and my abilities.

  • I often doubt myself and my decisions.

  • I feel good about who I am as a person.

  • I often feel insecure or inadequate.

  • I believe that I deserve to be treated with respect.

  • I often feel like I'm not good enough.

Reflection/Discussion Point:

• Discuss the results of the self-esteem rating scale with the teens. Help them identify areas where they can work on improving their self-esteem and develop a plan to do so.

Using a self-esteem rating scale can help teens become more aware of their self-esteem levels and identify areas where they can focus on improving their self-esteem.