The Myth of Self-esteem

Ellis makes a compelling case that conventional self-esteem — contingent on performance and approval — is itself the problem, and his alternative of unconditional self-acceptance is a psychologically grounded idea that holds up well across decades of REBT clinical evidence. Professional reviewers and the CBT/REBT community endorse it, and Ellis's direct voice keeps the argument accessible even when it circles the same point more than once. Readers who ground self-worth in faith may find the secular framing a poor fit, but for everyone else this is a useful counterweight to the feel-good self-esteem industry.