Did you know that compared to men, women generally tend to underestimate their abilities, experience more self-doubt, and hesitate before making a decision, irrespective of their ability levels?
In therapy, I’ve noticed that one of the most common goals women have for themselves is to grow in their self-confidence. To become a woman who can own her strengths, who is willing to fail if it means that she has tried, and who has a peaceful sense of self-acceptance about who she is, flaws and all.
I’d like to share some thoughts about cultivating confidence in women, whether you are a woman yourself, or a parent raising a young woman.
Recently at our practice in Gordon, we’ve been inviting our team and the clients we see to add to our Garden of Resilience mural. The idea is that when we look back at our lives, we take stock of how personal strengths have emerged even through challenging and hard times. It’s an invitation to reflect on and share how we have grown, what we have gotten right, and in what ways we were pleasantly surprised about how we’ve coped. We’ve invited people to then write these reflections down on a coloured piece of paper shaped like a flower petal or leaf, and add it to the Garden of Resilience. As more people share their strengths with us, we get to watch the garden grow.
I wanted to share with you some of the strengths women on our team have shared so far.
“I am quite creative and good at problem solving. I am good at supporting people. I am resilient and adaptable. I am strong.”
“I am capable and instead of looking at all the things I can’t do, I’ve learnt to ask, ‘What else can I do?’”
“I’m proud of moving countries and coping well. I’m more resilient than I realised; I was surprised at how much support I had.”
Women, how you would answer the following questions?
When did you feel the most energised this past week? What strengths were you using then?
What are you most proud of about yourself?
Tell me about a time you faced a challenge head-on – what helped you to do that? What positive qualities did you show then?
How can you use what you are inherently good at in areas that you find challenging?
Lauren Chee (M Clin Psych, BSc (Hons – First Class)) is a psychologist who understands the importance of forming a genuine and caring therapeutic relationship with each individual she sees. Lauren is registered with Medicare and is also an approved practitioner in the NSW Workers Compensation System.
Lauren has experience working with both children and adults within schools, private clinics, and inpatient and outpatient hospital settings. Her warm and supportive approach helps her clients feel comfortable exploring their concerns in order to develop practical strategies to reach their goals. Some of the issues she has helped her clients with include depression, anxiety, perfectionism, adjustment to significant life change, self-esteem, grief, learning difficulties, and school and work-related stress.
In her work, Lauren recognises the individuality of each person and their story, and provides uniquely tailored treatments to support her clients. By being committed to the latest psychological research, she is able to equip her clients with evidence-based skills and knowledge that can lead to positive and lasting change. Lauren is a dedicated and approachable psychologist with a passion for helping her clients live a life in line with their personal values.
Lauren has a special interest in:
Anxiety Disorders e.g. Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia, Health Anxiety
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Social Skills and Assertiveness
Parenting and Attachment
Child Mental Health and Wellbeing
Learning Difficulties e.g. ADHD, specific learning disorders
School-Related Stress
Christian Counselling
Outside of work, Lauren enjoys spending time in nature, discovering new music, and sharing delicious meals with her friends and family.