To explore the characteristics and the change process oflow
self-esteem client during the counseling process,qualitative
research method was selected in this study. Fiveundergraduate
students participate in this study. Eachparticipant had at least
4 sessions of counseling and hadto finish the State Self-Esteem
Scale after each session. There are six groups of
characteristics of low self-esteemclients. They are: 1.look
at themselves with negative perception; 2.withdraw behavior
styles; 3. negative inner affection; 4.non-supported
family experience; 5.rigid standards for evaluating
themselves; 6.negative schemata for information process.
These characteristics were found in every low self-esteemclient
in this study. Four stages were found during the change
process oflowself-esteem. 1.Statement stage: All the
participants talk about theirnegative evaluation to themselves
at the beginning of counselingprocess. They were not satisfied
with their interpersonalrelationship or academic performance
under the rigid standardsof self expectation. 2.Explore
stage: During this stage, low self-esteem clientsexplore deeper
about their inner emotion, self evaluationstandards, and the
lost of their real needs. Most of the sixcharacteristics of low
self-esteem client mentioned above wouldappear before this
stage. 3.Experience stage: Sense of confidence came across
whenthe clientspractice the necessary skills within the
counselingsessions while sense of self-worth would appear when
theparticipants experienced the acceptance of counselor. On
theother hand, the experience of real need would help clients
tobuild their own self evaluation rules. 4.Promoting stage:
Clients could feel or evaluate positivelyto themselvesand
promoting their self-esteem while they achievedthis stage. The
deeper the clients experienced at experience stage,the easier
they could achieved this stage. Some clients return tothe
statement stage with another complain about themselves becauseof
their long frustration for seeking self-esteem.