Archived programme
Self-Esteem Programme
We used to run a parent-led self-esteem programme, where a psychologist worked alongside the parent for around twelve weeks. We no longer run it. This page is kept as a record of what it was.
This programme is no longer available
We stopped running the Self-Esteem Programme, and there is nothing to book or sign up for on this page. We have kept it here because it is a real part of our history, and because what the programme taught is still worth reading.
What we do now is different. You build a profile of your child yourself, and Assembly turns it into a report that sets out their strengths and needs and what to try next. See how it works, or start from the homepage.
What the programme was
Spread over roughly twelve weeks, for parents of children aged 4 to 14. It was designed by psychologists to build a child's confidence, positive self-talk and sense of identity, and it was parent-led: the psychologist worked with the parent rather than seeing the child.
- Developed by psychologists with input from parents, using current therapy techniques
- Six 30-minute online video calls with a psychologist, scheduled around the family
- Continuous support from that psychologist across the twelve weeks
- Videos of evidence-based practical exercises, so parents could put the theory into action
- Printable activity worksheets for the moments when they were most needed
- An outcome-based framework parents used to track their child's progress
Why we worked with parents, not children
Research has shown that a skill-building approach involving parents is more effective at meeting a child's needs. So the programme did not see the child. The clinician worked with the parent on the strategies, themes and skills that build a child's self-esteem, and the parent used them in the moments that actually matter, at home.
Why self-esteem matters
Self-esteem shapes how children see themselves, handle life's challenges, and build healthy relationships. Healthy self-esteem is the strongest protector of a child's mental health.
When it is low, small setbacks can feel overwhelming, leading to anxiety, depression, frustration or isolation.
Signs a child may need support
The programme was aimed at families who recognised some of these:
- Saying "I'm not good enough", or frequent negative self-talk
- Fear of trying new things, or giving up easily
- Being overly sensitive to mistakes
- Withdrawing from friends or group activities
- Constantly seeking reassurance from adults
- Getting frustrated or upset easily when things go wrong
What parents said at the time
Feedback parents gave us while the programme was running.
“The Assembly programmes have given my family the tools we need to address some of the issues we face. The weekly activities are interesting and varied, and helped me to learn more about how to support my child, but can be used with the whole family.”
“We started working with Assembly because some of the negative things our son would say about himself were really hard to hear. Working through the Self-Esteem Programme has given my wife and I a valuable set of practical tools and also just more confidence about what we can be doing to help him.”
Reading on self-esteem
The thinking behind the programme is still available to read. Our current guide, self-esteem and mental health in children, covers how low self-esteem develops and what the research says helps rebuild it.
We also used to run an Emotional Regulation Programme, archived in the same way.