Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Depression, trauma and negative self-talk can leave you feeling worthless or struggling with low self-esteem. But you don’t have to feel depressed forever, learn how to deal with feeling worthless with 6 practical ways to improve your self esteem
Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership
Feel worthless? Learn how depression and low self-esteem trap you—and 6 practical ways to break free from the “I’m no good” story.
Why do you feel worthless—even when part of you knows it’s not true?
In this video, we’re tackling the painful experience of low self-esteem, depression, and feeling like you’re “no good.” That heavy, shut-down state doesn’t just live in your thoughts—it affects your whole body and behavior.
If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking:
“I’m worthless”
“I’ll never be good enough”
“There’s something wrong with me”
You’re not alone. And more importantly—this isn’t the truth. It’s a pattern your brain has learned.
Using practical, evidence-based strategies, I’ll walk you through how to break out of that cycle and rebuild a healthier sense of self-esteem—without forcing fake positivity.
In this video, you’ll learn:
Why trying to argue with “I feel worthless” often backfires
How depression and shame can trap you in rumination
Why feeling “no good” can actually function as a protective strategy
Simple ways to take action—even when you feel stuck or overwhelmed
How to shift harsh self-talk into something more realistic and helpful
A powerful technique to “borrow self-esteem” when you can’t feel it yourself
This isn’t about convincing yourself you’re amazing overnight.
It’s about taking small, doable steps to interrupt the cycle of withdrawal, rebuild confidence, and start seeing yourself more clearly.
Because here’s the truth:
You’re not worthless—you’ve just been stuck in a pattern that makes you feel that way.
If this feeling is intense or persistent—especially if you’re struggling with depression—it’s worth reaching out for support. You don’t have to carry this alone.
#feelingworthless #self esteem #depression #selfpity
00:00 6 Things You Can Do When You Feel Worthless
00:51 1. Why Arguing with Feeling Worthless Fuels Depression
02:36 2. Recognize that feeling worthless is a broken strategy
06:37 3. Replace Self-pity with a Growth Mindset
08:24 4. Take Action Against Depression: Change What You Do
11:16 5. Improve Self-Esteem with Kind Words
11:59 6. Use the Body to Shift Out of Worthlessness
13:31 From Self Pity to Lasting Self Esteem
14:24 If Feeling Worthless is Intense or Persistent
Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional from the comfort of your own home. Try it now for 10% off your first month: betterhelp.com/therapyinanutshell
FREE Mental Health Resources: courses.therapyinanutshell.com/free-resources
Check out my podcast, Therapy in a Nutshell: tinpodcast.podbean.com
Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health.
In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction.
And deeper than all of that, the Gospel of Jesus Christ orients my personal worldview and sense of security, peace, hope, and love churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/believe
If you are in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at suicidepreventionlifeline.org or 988 or your local emergency services.
Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC
Depression, trauma and negative self-talk can leave you feeling worthless or struggling with low self-esteem. But you don’t have to feel depressed forever, learn how to deal with feeling worthless with 6 practical ways to improve your self esteem
Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership
Feel worthless? Learn how depression and low self-esteem trap you—and 6 practical ways to break free from the “I’m no good” story.
Why do you feel worthless—even when part of you knows it’s not true?
In this video, we’re tackling the painful experience of low self-esteem, depression, and feeling like you’re “no good.” That heavy, shut-down state doesn’t just live in your thoughts—it affects your whole body and behavior.
If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking:
“I’m worthless”
“I’ll never be good enough”
“There’s something wrong with me”
You’re not alone. And more importantly—this isn’t the truth. It’s a pattern your brain has learned.
Using practical, evidence-based strategies, I’ll walk you through how to break out of that cycle and rebuild a healthier sense of self-esteem—without forcing fake positivity.
In this video, you’ll learn:
Why trying to argue with “I feel worthless” often backfires
How depression and shame can trap you in rumination
Why feeling “no good” can actually function as a protective strategy
Simple ways to take action—even when you feel stuck or overwhelmed
How to shift harsh self-talk into something more realistic and helpful
A powerful technique to “borrow self-esteem” when you can’t feel it yourself
This isn’t about convincing yourself you’re amazing overnight.
It’s about taking small, doable steps to interrupt the cycle of withdrawal, rebuild confidence, and start seeing yourself more clearly.
Because here’s the truth:
You’re not worthless—you’ve just been stuck in a pattern that makes you feel that way.
If this feeling is intense or persistent—especially if you’re struggling with depression—it’s worth reaching out for support. You don’t have to carry this alone.
#feelingworthless #self esteem #depression #selfpity
00:00 6 Things You Can Do When You Feel Worthless
00:51 1. Why Arguing with Feeling Worthless Fuels Depression
02:36 2. Recognize that feeling worthless is a broken strategy
06:37 3. Replace Self-pity with a Growth Mindset
08:24 4. Take Action Against Depression: Change What You Do
11:16 5. Improve Self-Esteem with Kind Words
11:59 6. Use the Body to Shift Out of Worthlessness
13:31 From Self Pity to Lasting Self Esteem
14:24 If Feeling Worthless is Intense or Persistent
Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional from the comfort of your own home. Try it now for 10% off your first month: betterhelp.com/therapyinanutshell
FREE Mental Health Resources: courses.therapyinanutshell.com/free-resources
Check out my podcast, Therapy in a Nutshell: tinpodcast.podbean.com
Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health.
In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction.
And deeper than all of that, the Gospel of Jesus Christ orients my personal worldview and sense of security, peace, hope, and love churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/believe
If you are in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at suicidepreventionlifeline.org or 988 or your local emergency services.
Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC
