Psychotherapy for Shame, Low Self-Esteem, and Never Feeling Good Enough
Therapy from the comfort of your home, available online in Ontario
Maybe you have done all the “right” things, built a career, kept it together, taken care of everyone around you.
On the outside, your life might even look good. But on the inside? There’s a quiet voice that whispers: You’re still not enough.
You second-guess yourself constantly. Set the bar higher and higher. Feel like if you could just do a little more, be a little better, maybe then you would finally feel worthy.
If this feels familiar, you are not alone. These patterns often run deep. They are not personal failings. They are adaptations to a world that taught you that your value had to be earned.
What if your worth was never in question to begin with?
You Deserve a Life Beyond Shame and Self-Doubt
This therapy is for you if:
You feel like you are never quite “enough,” no matter what you achieve
You are exhausted by perfectionism, people-pleasing, or emotional numbing
Your inner critic is relentless and is wearing you down
You find it hard to ask for what you need or set boundaries without guilt
You struggle to feel good about yourself, even when others praise you
These aren’t just mindset issues, they are often rooted in early experiences where love felt conditional, vulnerability wasn’t safe, or success became the only way to feel seen.
Therapy Can Help You Reclaim Your Worth
Shame doesn’t have to be the lens you see yourself through. Together, we can gently unpack where these beliefs began and start the process of healing.
In our work together, you can:
Understand how shame, low self-worth, and your inner critic developed
Turn down the volume on self-doubt
Begin to relate to yourself with compassion instead of criticism
Shift patterns of perfectionism and people-pleasing
Reconnect with the younger parts of you that learned they had to hustle for love
Begin to feel grounded in your truth, instead of chasing external validation
Rewrite those tired old stories you’ve been telling yourself
Learn to set boundaries
This is deep, sustainable work that helps you rediscover your unshakable worth that’s been there all along.
"If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can’t survive."
– Brené Brown
The Spring Bloom Psychotherapy Approach
I bring a compassionate, depth-oriented lens to our work. I believe that real healing happens when all parts of you feel safe enough to be seen, your strength, your sorrow, your messiness, your magic…
Some of the approaches I draw from include:
Psychodynamic psychotherapy, to explore how early relationships shape your current self-perception
EMDR to update neural networks
Parts Work, to meet your inner critic and the vulnerable parts it protects
Somatic therapy, to gently release shame from the body and reconnect with safety
Mindful self-compassion & creative expression, to nurture kinder ways of being with yourself
You don’t need to be “fixed.” You just need a space where your full self is welcome, especially the parts that feel unworthy, broken, or “too much.”
What to Expect at Spring Bloom Psychotherapy
Sessions are 50 minutes
We meet on a secure online platform so you can access support from the comfort of your home anywhere across Ontario.
We typically meet weekly or biweekly.
We might talk through a situation that’s bothering you, explore patterns from your past, check in with your body, or reflect on how you relate to yourself and others.
There’s no right way to be in therapy, just your way.
The current rate is $145 per session.
About Me
Hi, I’m Maria Legault (she/her), a Registered Psychotherapist and the founder of Spring Bloom Psychotherapy.
I hold a 5-year Master’s-equivalent diploma in psychodynamic psychotherapy. I also completed a PhD in the Study and Practice of Arts and additional training in mindfulness, parts work, somatic therapy, attachment theory, and expressive arts.
I specialize in helping clients untangle shame, navigate life transitions, and rebuild a relationship with themselves that feels rooted, empowered, and real.
Ready to Begin Therapy?
Access Therapy for Shame and Low Self-Esteem in Oakville, Burlington, Waterdown and Online Across Ontario.
You don’t have to carry this alone.
Therapy is a space to lay it all down and gently begin again, from a place of self-understanding rather than self-blame.
Let’s begin the journey back to your self-worth. The first step is to reach out for a free consultation
Read more about shame-informed therapy in these blog posts:
Giving Shame Air and Light: How Therapy Helps Break the Silence
Is It Shame, Guilt, or Low Self-Esteem? Understanding What’s Beneath ‘I’m Not Good Enough’
Contact Me
You don’t need to navigate this journey alone. If you’re feeling stuck, I’d love to help!
3 EASY WAYS TO CONTACT ME
Email: maria@springbloom.ca
Call: 416-823-1648 and leave a message on my confidential voicemail. I will do my best to respond to you within 48 hours.
Form: You can fill out the form to help me understand your needs and how I can best support you
Frequently Asked Questions
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Working Together: 3 Simple Steps
1. Reach Out
Getting started is easy:Just fill out my contact form, send me an email or give me a call.
I will get back to you within 48 hours to arrange a free consultation.
2. Initial Consultation
We will meet virtually to talk about what’s bringing you to therapy, explore your goals, and get a sense of how we might work together. It’s a no-pressure space to see if the fit feels right for you.3. Begin the Work
We will start your therapy journey at a pace that feels safe and supportive.The work can be short-term or ongoing, whatever feels most helpful to you.
Together, we will explore your inner world, tend to what hurts, and build toward more clarity, self-compassion, and connection.
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Do you ever feel stuck, like no matter how hard you try, things just aren’t clicking?
Maybe it’s struggles in your relationships, work stress, low confidence, or that constant worry you can’t seem to shake.
Perhaps boundaries feel impossible to set, or past experiences still weigh heavy on your heart.
Whether you’re carrying the pain of a hard childhood, longing for deeper connections, or simply craving personal growth, psychotherapy is an investment in yourself- a chance to explore what’s really going on, heal old wounds, and uncover new paths forward. Because you deserve to feel aligned, empowered, and free.
If this resonates, I’d love to connect. Please reach out for a complimentary consultation to see if therapy feels like the right fit for you.
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I offer virtual holistic psychotherapy grounded in five years of psychodynamic training—which is really just a fancy way of saying that I help you uncover those sneaky unconscious patterns that might be holding you back.
Together, we will work on boosting your self-awareness, navigating emotions, and understanding how your attachment history and early life experiences have shaped you. It’s all about helping you create deeper connections, both with yourself and with others, while moving toward the kind of life and relationships that you truly want.
I also weave in mindfulness, self-compassion, Parts Work, nervous system awareness, creative and somatic approaches to help untangle the knots of trauma, shame, and that nagging feeling of never being good enough.
Every method I use is backed by research, but more importantly, it’s designed to meet you where you are at.
If any of this speaks to you, I would love to invite you to a complimentary introductory session. It is a chance to connect, explore what is possible, and see if we are a good fit for your journey.
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Although each client is unique and no outcomes are guaranteed, therapy can offer a safe space to dive deeper into the patterns, emotions, and experiences that shape your life- so you can break free from what’s holding you back. It’s not just about managing symptoms; it’s about uncovering the root causes of struggles like anxiety, depression, or relationship challenges.
Through this process, you can gain a clearer understanding of yourself, heal emotional wounds, and learn to navigate life with more confidence, connection, and authenticity.
It’s about creating lasting change and stepping into the most empowered version of yourself.
And sometimes, it’s just nice to have someone in your corner- to remind you that you don’t have to do it all on your own.
If any of this resonates, I would love to connect. Reach out for a complimentary consultation- it’s a no-pressure way to see how therapy could support you on your journey.
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Each session lasts 50 minutes and is held online.
This makes it easy to connect from the comfort of your own space, anywhere in Ontario, while ensuring a safe and confidential environment for our work together.
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The frequency of our sessions is all about what works best for you. Many people find that weekly or bi-weekly appointments help to build momentum. You are welcome to continue therapy for as long as it feels helpful.
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The current rate is 120$ per 50-minute session.
Payments are made by e-transfer or credit card.
Currently, all of my sliding scale spots are filled.
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I am a Registered Psychotherapist (qualifying), which means that many insurance plans may offer partial or full coverage for sessions.
Please check your plan to ensure Registered Psychotherapists (qualifying) are included. It’s also helpful to know how much coverage you have per year, any per-session limits, and when your plan renews.
While I do not currently bill insurance directly, I can provide receipts for you to submit to your insurance if you have out-of-network benefits.
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I understand that life can be unpredictable. If you need to reschedule or cancel, please provide at least 48 hours’ notice.
This time is reserved just for you and without such notice, you will be charged for the full session fee.
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My practice isn’t equipped to provide emergency services.
If you’re experiencing a crisis or life-threatening emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department immediately.
You can also:
Reach out to Crisis Services Canada at 1.833.456.4566
Connect with the Distress Centre Helpline at 1.416.408.HELP (4357) or 905.688.3711.
Send a text message to 741741
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Degrees:
5-year Diploma in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: Ontario Psychotherapy and Counselling College
Doctorat en Études et pratique des arts, Université du Québec à Montréal
Master of Fine Arts, University of Guelph
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Concordia University
Memberships:
College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario: 19041
Canadian Association Association for Psychodynamic Therapy
Trainings:
Working with Trauma and the Body 2 day training: the Fundamentals of Somatic Therapy, Wilfrid Laurier University
Moving from Self Criticism to Self-Acceptance with Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy 2-day training: Wilfrid Laurier University
The “Not Good Enough” Treatment Plan: A Certified Shame-Informed Treatment Specialist 2-day Training: PESI
Working with Core Beliefs of “Never Good Enough: National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine
How to work with Shame: National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine
How to Work with Clients who Struggle with an Inner Critic: National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine
The Neurobiology of Attachment: National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine
The Healing Trauma Program: Soundstrue
Meditation and Psychotherapy course: Soundstrue
200 hrs Yoga Teacher Training, Yoga Space
300 hrs Yoga Psyche Soul, Ashley Turner
Trauma Informed Yoga, Hala Khouri
Workshops:
Workshops in Parts Work, Somatic Interventions, Intimate Partner Violence, Diversity and Anti-oppression, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Diversity, Psychopharmacology, Ethics and Sexual Abuse recovery: Ontario Psychotherapy and Counselling College
Courses:
Trauma Recovery course: Soundstrue
Mindful Self Compassion course: Toronto Centre for Mindfulness Studies
Introduction to Art Therapy course and Art Education courses, Concordia University
Yoga for Mental Health, Ashley Turner
If you have any other questions that aren’t covered here, feel free to get in touch. I’m here to help you navigate this journey and look forward to supporting you along the way!