People-Pleasing and Boundary Work

Always giving, rarely receiving?

Maybe you’ve been the dependable one, the friend everyone leans on, the partner who keeps things calm. But inside, you’re tired of feeling like your needs always come last.

You’re not alone — many people come to therapy feeling worn down from caring for everyone else while wondering who’s there for them.

Why it feels so heavy?

People-pleasing can look like caring, but underneath it’s often about survival: keeping relationships secure, avoiding conflict, or protecting yourself from being abandoned.

Over time, this constant self-sacrifice can lead to anxiety, resentment, and the quiet sense that your life doesn’t feel fully your own.

Learn to stop performing for love and start showing up as your real self.

How therapy helps

In our work together, we’ll create a space where your needs aren’t “too much.” Together we’ll:

  • Notice the patterns that keep you putting others first.
  • Explore the fears behind saying “no” or asking for what you need.
  • Practice ways of expressing yourself that feel both honest and safe.

What changes over time?

As you learn to stop performing for acceptance, you’ll begin to feel more grounded in who you are. Boundaries stop feeling like walls and start feeling like bridges — giving you room to be authentic while still staying connected to the people you care about.

I provide therapy for people-pleasing and boundary challenges for clients across California, including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and beyond (via online sessions).