Yes is your reflex
Someone asks, and you agree before checking your calendar or your energy.
services
Why is it so hard to just say no?
You say yes before you’ve even thought about it. Then you resent it, feel guilty for resenting it, and say yes again next time.
People pleasing usually started as a smart way to keep the peace. It just stopped working somewhere along the way, and now it’s costing you.
Is this you?
Guilt follows every no
On the rare occasion you say no, you spend the rest of the day feeling like a bad person.
Keeping everyone happy
You can read a room instantly and adjust yourself to fit it.
Resentment is building
You give and give, and you’re quietly angry that no one gives back.
You don’t know what you want
You’re so tuned in to everyone else that your own preferences feel fuzzy.
What we’ll work on
- Saying no without over-explaining
- Guilt and fear of disappointing people
- Boundaries with family, partners, and work
- Resentment and burnout from overgiving
- Knowing your own needs and wants
- Handling other people’s reactions
How I approach it
First we figure out where the pattern came from. Most people pleasers learned early that being easy to be around kept them safe or loved. That makes sense, and it also doesn’t have to run your life now.
Then we practice. Real boundaries, in your own words, starting with lower-stakes situations and building from there. We’ll also work on sitting with the discomfort when someone doesn’t like your answer.
Changing a lifelong habit takes practice. If a boundary doesn’t stick the first time, we’ll figure out what got in the way and try again.
How sessions work
- Virtual sessions on SimplePractice, a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform.
- For Texas residents who are physically located in Texas at session time.
- For adults age 18 and older.
- Sessions are about 50–55 minutes.
- Individual sessions are $120; couples sessions are $150. Private pay only.
- Your first 15-minute consult is free.
Questions
Won’t setting boundaries make people mad?
Some people may not love it at first, especially if they’re used to you always saying yes. We’ll work on handling that without caving.
Is people pleasing the same as being nice?
Not quite. Kindness is a choice. People pleasing usually feels like you don’t have one.
Can I work on boundaries with one specific person?
Yes. Many people come in with one relationship in mind, like a parent, partner, or boss. We can focus there.