Self-esteem counseling in the Palmer - Wasilla area.
Mat-Su Mental Health provides self-esteem counseling in Wasilla, Alaska, helping teens and adults across the Mat-Su Valley work through self-doubt and negative self-talk while building a more stable sense of confidence.
The term “self-esteem” refers to a person's overall sense of self-worth and value. For most people, our feelings about ourselves change and fluctuate throughout a day or in various circumstances. One’s self esteem, however, is more fixed than the average ups and down most people feel. Having low self esteem, or a poor sense of self, can negatively impact one’s ability to live a happy and fulfilling life. Folks struggling with low self esteem are often pretty hard on themselves. Their own worst critics, people with low self esteem may be perfectionistic, hypersensitive, jealous, withdrawn, hostile or at times, clingy. People with low self esteem are often motivated to please others, and can have a hard time making decisions for fear that their choices will make others unhappy.
Why Clients Choose Our Wasilla Office
Real feedback from clients who have received counseling at our Wasilla office.
“I was overwhelmed when I first considered therapy and almost didn’t go, but I’m really glad I did. It ended up being a very helpful experience.”
— Client
“This has been one of the most helpful experiences I’ve had. I’ve learned a lot about myself and how I respond to things.”
— 2025 Client Review
Currently rated 4.9 out of 5 stars in google business reviews
Locally voted in 2025 as a top mental health clinic in the “Best of the Valley” competition by the Mat-Valley Frontiersman Newspaper.
Our team of self esteem counselors In Wasilla
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Dr. Abegail Millard - PsyD
Abegail has been serving clients in the mental health field since 2017, and has experience working with people across the lifespan. She enjoys carrying a diverse caseload, and has worked with an array of clients across a variety of settings. As a 10-year Veteran of the United States Coast Guard, she is especially passionate about providing psychological support to Veterans, and Active Duty personnel. She is thrilled to call Alaska home, while taking advantage of every opportunity for adventure. When not at work, you will find Abegail practicing yoga, paddle boarding, ice fishing, or entertaining friends and family.
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Erika McGough - LPC
Erika has been working in the mental health field since 2016, and brings experience in working with individuals across the lifespan and in various different settings. She is most passionate about supporting postpartum mothers and moms navigating parenting in early childhood, and also enjoys working with women transitioning through major life adjustments, dealing with depression and anxiety, or experiencing family and relational stressors. Erika also enjoys working with children and teens. When not at work, she can be found spending time with her family, in her mini backyard ‘urban homestead,’ or exploring and capturing the landscapes of Alaska via photography or painting.
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Haidyn Simmons - LPC
Haidyn is dedicated to guiding her clients through their unique journeys toward healing and personal growth by fostering a safe and supportive environment where they can explore their thoughts and emotions.
Originally from Louisiana, Haidyn moved to Alaska two years ago and has fallen in love with the state’s breathtaking natural beauty and her community. In her free time, you can find her reading, spending time outdoors with her pets, practicing yoga, or enjoying a good cup of coffee with friends.
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Jennifer Dotur - MS
Jen is a pre-licensed clinical mental health counselor with a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She has worked in the mental health field for over 20 years and is passionate about walking alongside individuals and couples navigating anxiety, trauma, grief, depression, PTSD, and relationship challenges. Jen is especially attuned to life’s complexities and brings curiosity, warmth, and compassion to her work. Outside the therapy room, she enjoys time with her family, teaching classes in homeschool and charter school communities, exploring creative expression, and collecting meaningful quotes—one of her favorites being, “The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” – Rumi
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Kelly Jordan - MA
Kelly Jordan is a pre-licensed clinician who works with women, teens, and adults navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, relational conflict, identity development, and life transitions. She is especially passionate about helping women and teens heal from complex trauma—including survivors of sex trafficking—and offers a steady, compassionate presence rooted in empathy, empowerment, and safety.
Originally from a small ski town in Colorado, Kelly has lived across the country but now calls Alaska home. She loves spending time with her family, spoiling her dogs, and enjoying the seasons—whether that’s hiking in the sun or curling up by the fire with a book and coffee. She also loves partner dancing and finds joy in the creativity, connection, and movement it brings.
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Mary Kuepper - LPC-S
Mary has over a decade of experience working in community based mental health. Though she has worked with people across the lifespan, she specializes in work with kids, teens and families, as well as in maternal mental health. Mary is passionate about giving people the tools they need to not only function well, but to thrive in their everyday life. Though not native to Alaska, she has fallen in love with the abundant resources of this beautiful place. When not working with clients, Mary can be found adventuring, hiking and exploring. She loves to fly fish our local creeks, dig in the dirt of her backyard garden, and get in quality time with her friends, and beautiful family.
What can you expect during a self-esteem counseling session?
At Mat-Su Mental Health, you can expect a comprehensive approach to treat your struggles with poor sense of self and the associated mood management issues you’re likely dealing with. You and your provider will work together to understand not just how to manage the symptoms, but to address them at their root cause. Effectively and comprehensively addressing poor sense of self and any associated mood management difficulties with MatSu Mental Health providers may include, but is not limited to:
Psychoeducation and brain-based science to help you understand what’s happening with your emotions on a physiological level.
Coping skills to support you in addressing negative thoughts and managing the associated emotions that come with them.
Ongoing discussion and evaluation of lifestyle choices that may be contributing to or exacerbating your negative sense of self, and any associated mood fluctuations. Areas of exploration may include:
Sleep
Diet/Nutrition
Supplementation
Exercise/Movement
Connectedness (time with family, friends)
Play
Time in nature
Self-care
Exploration and treatment of life events or unresolved traumas that may be at the root of your negative beliefs about yourself. and any mood management issues you experience.
A practical and effective self-care plan to support you in increasing and strengthening your sense of self.
Can specialized counseling for low self esteem really help?
For those struggling with low self esteem, the internal dialogue one has with themselves is likely pretty negative. For all of us, our ongoing internal dialogue becomes ingrained over time, and if the messages that we are constantly replaying to ourselves are negative, our sense of who we are in the world becomes shaped by that internal narrative.
These patterns of thinking and behaving become ingrained in the neural pathways of the brain, and over time, trying to think, do, or say something different becomes incredibly challenging. Getting down on ourselves is just what we do, often because it’s what we’ve always done, and over time, that can seriously impact one’s self esteem.
But you don’t have to stay stuck in this rut. You can create a change, and our Mat-Su Mental Health providers are here to help! Our therapists are well versed in the brain science behind helping you create new neural pathways in your brain to support sustainable and lifelong change. They’ll work with you to identify your negative and limiting beliefs, support you in reframing your cognitions, and give you skills to increase your ability to manage your thoughts and steer clear of those negative spirals you likely get sucked into. In addition, they’ll support you in exploring and coming to understand where these negative and limiting beliefs come from, and walk alongside you to heal unresolved wounds that may be at the core of your low self-esteem.
How long does professional counseling typically last?
The length of time an individual is in counseling is situation specific and can vary. However, we at Mat-Su Mental Health are passionate about giving our clients the tools and skills they need to thrive and function well. We will cast a wide net at the onset, looking for all the contributing variables. We will build skills for managing symptoms and explore root causes that may be underlying your distress. We will take as little or as much time as you need, but we will do our very best to get you back about the business of living your life.
How to get started with counseling for self-esteem.
Once you reach out, our on-boarding admin will contact you to gather information regarding your specific situation. They will explore with you what provider will likely best meet your needs, and support you in getting set up in our electronic health record.
Mat-Su Mental Health uses Simple Practice, a medical record and portal system that will allow for confidential and HIPAA compliant messaging that ensures your privacy. You will be sent a portal link that directs you to online documentation to be completed prior to your initial session.
This is a great time to ask any questions you might have. After all, where you go for support is your choice, and we want you to feel empowered to assess whether or not we are the right fit for you! Here at Mat-Su Mental Health, our providers believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is essential in the process of creating change. These initial conversations are important in assessing fit, as therapy is not “one size fits all.”
MSMH’s office is conveniently located in Wasilla. Feel free to arrive a few minutes prior to your scheduled session to grab a cup of tea and relax before meeting with your provider. We look forward to meeting you, and are honored you have chosen us to do this work alongside you.
“I was nervous to start therapy, but I’m really glad I did. It made a meaningful difference for me.”
— Former Client, 2025
FAQ’s
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Yes. Mat-Su Mental Health provides self-esteem counseling in Wasilla and works with individuals across the Mat-Su Valley, including Palmer and surrounding communities.
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Self-esteem counseling focuses on how you see yourself, talk to yourself, and respond to challenges. Therapy can help you build a more balanced and realistic sense of self-worth over time.
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Low self-esteem can show up as self-doubt, negative self-talk, difficulty trusting yourself, people-pleasing, or feeling like you’re not “good enough” in different areas of life.
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If your self-perception is affecting your relationships, decisions, or overall well-being, counseling can help. You don’t need to wait until things feel severe to get support.
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Yes. Therapy can help you understand where patterns come from, challenge unhelpful beliefs, and build more supportive ways of thinking and relating to yourself.
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Sessions typically involve conversation, reflection, and practical tools to help you notice patterns, shift self-talk, and build confidence in everyday situations.
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Yes. Low self-esteem often overlaps with anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges. Therapy can help address these connections in a way that feels manageable and relevant to your life.
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Yes. Self-esteem can influence boundaries, communication, and how you show up in relationships. Counseling can help you better understand these patterns and make changes over time.
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You’re not alone. Many people reach out after years of feeling this way. Therapy can help you understand those patterns and begin building a different relationship with yourself.
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You can contact our office by phone or through our website, and we will help connect you with a therapist who fits your needs.