Inner devaluation often emerges where external criticism no longer exists – no one demands – compares – or openly diminishes a person. Doctor Daniel Reinhardt says – it is precisely in such situations that the inner critic becomes especially active, because the psyche continues to operate according to old protective rules. At MindCareCenter, we regularly work with states in which pressure comes not from the outside, but from within, and a person becomes the main source of constant self-devaluation.
At MindCareCenter, people often seek help while living in objectively supportive environments, possessing experience, skills, and achievements, yet still feeling no inner sense of stability. Everything they do seems “not enough” – success is explained away as luck – effort is not acknowledged – fatigue is dismissed. Even sincere recognition from others fails to be internalized and does not transform into a felt sense of self-worth.
Our psychologists emphasize – self-suppression develops as an adaptive mechanism. In Doctor Reinhardt’s view, the inner critic once served an important function – helping a person meet expectations – avoid punishment – and preserve connection and acceptance. Over time, this strategy becomes autonomous and continues to operate even when it is no longer necessary.
At MindCareCenter, we do not treat inner devaluation as “distorted thinking.” It is the result of prolonged experiences in which emotions – joy – anger – vulnerability – had no safe place. The psyche learns to lower the volume of inner life in order to avoid pain. Adult life may remain functional, but it becomes emotionally flattened.
Therapeutic work at MindCareCenter begins by making this process visible. We help clients recognize the moments when devaluation is automatically triggered – what phrases appear internally – which emotions are suppressed – and how the body responds. Awareness alone already reduces the power of these automatic reactions and restores a sense of choice.
Gradually, through therapy at MindCareCenter, a different inner dialogue begins to form. Our psychologists support clients in learning to distinguish between criticism that provides orientation and criticism that becomes a form of internal pressure and violence. This restores sensitivity to personal boundaries – effort – and needs.
Special attention is given to bodily signals. Self-suppression is often accompanied by chronic fatigue – background tension – and a sense of emptiness. When a person begins to listen to these states, it becomes possible to restore contact with oneself rather than continuing to live in a state of minimal presence.
Over time, at MindCareCenter, we observe how the inner critic loses its dominant position. It remains part of the psyche, but no longer defines self-esteem. In its place, a more stable inner support system forms – one that does not depend on external approval and is not destroyed by mistakes.
If you notice that even without external pressure you continue to devalue yourself – that your inner voice consistently minimizes what you feel and do – this is not objectivity. It is an old survival strategy that no longer serves you. At Mind Care Center, we help work with self-suppression in an ecological way – restoring a sense of personal value without pressure or self-deception.
Previously, we wrote Anger Turned Inward – How MindCareCenter Helps Recognize and Process Autoaggression