Therapy for People-Pleasing & Boundaries
My Therapeutic Approach
At Tiny Cottage Therapy, I believe that people-pleasing is often about survival—and boundaries are not selfish, they’re necessary. Even when you are caring, capable, and generous, you may find yourself stretched thin, feeling resentful, or losing connection to what you want. My approach is relational, trauma-informed, and values integrity, both in your life and in our work together. We’ll explore the roots of your people-pleasing, tend to the parts of you that feel unsafe in saying “no,” and gradually build the capacity to set and hold boundaries with more clarity, self-respect, and compassion.
Healing isn’t about becoming unkind; it’s about being true to yourself, to others, and to what you need.
Are These Struggles Familiar to You?
You might see yourself here if you often:
Say “yes” even when you don’t want to, or feel guilty whenever you say “no”
Find yourself overthinking conversations, replaying what you said (or didn’t say), worrying about other people’s feelings
Constantly put others’ needs ahead of your own—often at cost to your energy, well-being, or peace of mind
Feel unseen, taken for granted, or depleted in your relationships—even though you care a lot and try to give a lot
Avoid conflict, tension, or expressing real boundaries because you fear disapproval, rejection, being misunderstood, or losing connection
Carry shame, self-criticism, or fear that you’re “too much,” “too emotional,” or asking too much when you express what you need
If this resonates, you are not alone. Many kind, caring, high-capacity people carry these patterns and long for a different way of being.
What I Help With
In therapy, we’ll work together on:
Understanding the roots: how people-pleasing and flexible boundaries came to be: family dynamics, cultural expectations, attachment, early messages about being “good” or “useful” etc.
Building self-awareness & internal safety: tuning in to your body, inner voice, and emotions so you can notice when something feels wrong, uneasy, or out of alignment.
Shame, self-criticism, guilt work: unraveling how guilt or shame show up around saying “no,” having needs, or stepping back. Cultivating self-compassion.
Learning to say no & set boundaries: practicing what to say, how to say it, and how to hold space for discomfort when showing up differently. Saying no without burning bridges or internal collapse.
Maintaining boundaries & handling pushback: what to do when people test, dismiss, or try to override your boundaries; staying firm without harshness or self-sacrifice.
Communication & assertiveness: speaking your truth clearly, directly, kindly; holding boundaries without aggressive or passive styles.
Reclaiming your identity & values: reconnecting with what matters to you, separate from what others want or expect; learning what gives you joy, peace, voice.
Is This The Work For You?
You might be ready for this if you:
Are tired of always putting others first, suppressing your desire, or feeling resentful or drained
Sense that your life is shaped more by what you believe others expect than by what you truly want or need
Long for more authenticity, clearer communication, for being able to express needs without apology
Feel burnt out or like you’re always “on” for everyone else
Want more rest and integrity in your relationships
Want to strengthen your self-worth not by how much you give, but by knowing your intrinsic value
Let’s Begin
Burnout doesn’t have to be your norm. You deserve work that doesn’t deplete you, where you can thrive, not just survive.
If this feels like what you need, let’s connect. I offer a free 15-minute consultation call so we can explore whether working together feels like the right match, and shape a path forward that honors you.