Self Criticism

Do you speak to yourself in ways you’d never speak to someone else? Many people live with a constant inner voice that’s harsh, critical, or relentlessly demanding. This self-criticism can affect how you feel about yourself, how you relate to others, and how you cope with challenges.

At Circle Psychology Partners, we offer therapy both online and in Southeast London to help you understand and shift self-critical patterns—often rooted in past experiences, trauma, or unrealistic expectations of yourself.

Common signs of self-criticism include:

• Feeling like you’re never “good enough”

• Constantly comparing yourself to others

• Struggling with perfectionism or fear of failure

• Harsh self-talk after making mistakes

• Feeling unworthy of rest, care, or success

• Avoiding new things due to fear of judgement

Self-criticism often starts as a survival strategy—trying to stay in control or “do better”—but over time, it can lead to anxiety, low self-esteem, shame, or burnout.

How therapy can help:

Our therapists offer a compassionate and evidence-based approach to help you:

• Understand where your inner critic came from

• Develop a kinder, more balanced inner voice

• Build emotional resilience and self-worth

• Reduce shame and perfectionism

• Learn to motivate yourself with compassion, not fear

You don’t have to be at war with yourself. Therapy such as Compassion Focussed Therapy can help you build a new relationship with your inner world—one rooted in care, not criticism.

Our qualified team of therapists are dedicated and ready to help you overcome your anger. Feel free to book an initial consultation today to start your therapy journey.