
Find Your Voice. Trust Your Truth.
People Pleasing Therapy Can Help.
If you're tired of feeling responsible for everyone else's happiness at the expense of your own, you're not alone. This endless cycle of people-pleasing isn't just exhausting—it's a form of self-abandonment that impacts every part of your life.
The truth is: People-pleasing isn't just a personality trait—it's a survival response you developed in childhood to stay 'safe' and connected when life felt unpredictable.
Your worthiness became tied to tending to others' happiness, and while this pattern served a purpose then, it's no longer serving you now.
Your people-pleasing patterns aren't your fault. Your need to please others isn't your fault. It's time to rewrite these patterns and reconnect to yourself! With the right support, you can learn to set boundaries, reclaim your voice, and finally learn to love and trust yourself.
If you’re ready to find freedom from people-pleasing, we can help!
Therapy for People-Pleasing in San Francisco, El Dorado Hill + Online
‘When you say ‘yes’ to others, make sure you are not saying ‘no’ to yourself.’ – Paulo Coelho
Difficulty saying ‘no’ to others, even when overwhelmed
Taking responsibility for others' emotions and happiness
Constantly seeking validation or approval
Losing touch with what YOU actually want and need
Signs + Symptoms of People Pleasing
Overthinking every interaction with others
Feeling guilty or anxious when setting boundaries
Struggling to make decisions without others' input
Avoiding conflict at all costs
Fear of being seen as ‘selfish’ for taking care of yourself
Physical exhaustion from being ‘on’ all the time
Apologizing excessively for things that aren't your fault
Feeling resentful but unable to express it

Common Types of People-Pleasing Patterns
Anxious People-Pleasing
When anxiety drives your people-pleasing, you might constantly scan for potential conflict or disapproval. You become hyper-vigilant about others' moods and needs, often anticipating and trying to prevent any possible discomfort or disappointment. This pattern can leave you feeling perpetually on edge and disconnected from your own inner compass.
Perfectionist People-Pleasing
This pattern shows up as an intense drive to be indispensable to others. You might pride yourself on being the one everyone can count on, but beneath the surface, there's often a deep fear that you're only worthy of love when you're useful. This can manifest as overworking, over-giving, and difficulty receiving support from others.
Conflict-Avoidant People-Pleasing
You've learned to maintain harmony at all costs, often silencing your own voice to avoid making waves of causing ‘drama’. This pattern typically develops in childhood when expressing needs or disagreement felt unsafe. While you may be skilled at mediating others' conflicts, your own needs and feelings often go unexpressed.
Self-Abandoning People-Pleasing
This pattern involves constantly shape-shifting to match others' energies and expectations. You might be highly attuned to what others want you to be, while losing touch with your authentic self. This adaptive strategy can make you successful in many situations but often leaves you feeling empty and unsure of who you really are.
Benefits of People-Pleasing Therapy
When you work with one of our therapists, we can help you:
Identify and rewire the people-pleasing patterns that keep you stuck
Learn to trust and love yourself, independent of others' approval
Speak your truth without guilt or fear
Set boundaries that honor both yourself and your relationships
Reconnect with your authentic needs, wants, and desires
Build relationships based on mutual respect rather than obligation
Heal the root causes of your people-pleasing patterns
Develop a strong sense of self-worth that isn't tied to being ‘helpful’
Navigate conflict and difficult conversations with confidence
Types of Therapy for People-Pleasing
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Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) for People-Pleasing
Learn to understand and heal the parts of yourself that developed people-pleasing patterns. IFS helps you reconnect with your authentic Self and transform patterns of self-abandonment into self-sovereignty. -
Somatic Therapy for People-Pleasing
Address how people-pleasing manifests in your body and learn to recognize and honor your body's signals. Through gentle somatic practices, you'll develop a stronger sense of self and learn to stay grounded in your truth. -
Depth Therapy for People-Pleasing
Uncover the unconscious patterns and early experiences that shaped your people-pleasing tendencies. This deeper work helps you understand and transform these patterns at their root. -
Holistic Therapy for People-Pleasing
Integrate mind-body-spirit modalities to heal people-pleasing patterns on all levels. This approach combines evidence-based therapies such as CBT, DBT and ACT, with mindfulness and spiritual wisdom for integral healing.

People-pleasing therapy is an opportunity to understand and transform the deep patterns that keep you stuck in cycles of self-abandonment and self-sabotage. While sessions flow like traditional talk therapy, we weave in mindfulness practices, body-based awareness, and offer practical tools you can start using after your first session. Through gentle exploration and meaningful conversation, you'll discover why these patterns developed, how they show up in your life now, and most importantly, how to create new ways of relating to yourself and others that honor who you truly are, not who you were programmed to be.
What is People-Pleasing Therapy?
Here at The Holistic Counseling Center, we believe true healing requires working with the mind, body, heart and spirit. Therapy for people-pleasing offers the opportunity to heal and transform unconscious patterns, so you can stop living in survival mode and finally start thriving.
When you work with one of our therapists, we’ll help you uncover and heal the root causes of your people-pleasing patterns, supporting deep transformation and renewed connection to your true self.
Our approach to people-pleasing therapy blends the best of Western psychotherapy techniques with the wisdom of depth psychology and mindfulness practices.
We integrate:
Evidence-based therapy techniques for lasting change
Somatic practices for accessing the wisdom of your body
Practical tools for setting and maintaining boundaries
Mindfulness practices that honor your healing journey
Our therapists are here to help you reconnect to your inner wisdom, transform old patterns that are keeping you stuck, and create lasting change in your life.
We are dedicated to creating a warm and supportive environment for this important work, whether you join us in person in El Dorado Hills (near Folsom and Sacramento), San Francisco, or work with us online.
People-Pleasing Therapy at The Holistic Counseling Center
Hi, I’m Kim Burris
Founder of The Holistic Counseling Center and A Licensed Holistic Therapist
I truly believe that healing the root cause of people-pleasing is not only possible, but necessary for creating an amazing life.
I founded The Holistic Counseling Center because I am passionate about helping people just like you understand and transform your people-pleasing patterns, so you can finally live from a place of genuine self-love and authentic connection.
I know how transformative therapy can be, and I'm dedicated to providing holistic therapy that honors both the depth of this work and the practical tools needed for lasting change.
Here at The Holistic Counseling Center, we offer people-pleasing therapy that honors the mind, body, and spirit connection. If you're ready to begin your journey of coming home to yourself, schedule a free consultation call to get started.
We'd be honored to support you on your healing journey!

Meet The Team
Therapists for People-Pleasing
Kim Burris
Founder, Licensed Therapist, LMFT
Anxiety, Postpartum Depression, Shadow Work, Existential Crisis + People-Pleasing
Dr. Anjali Connors
Licensed Therapist, LMFT
Anxiety, People-Pleasing, Trauma, Life Transitions, Psychedelic Integration + Spirituality
Perri Griffin
Licensed Therapist, LMFT
Anxiety, People-Pleasing, Shadow Work, Postpartum, Existential Crisis + Life Purpose
Associate Therapist, AMFT
Sinclair Mitchell
Anxiety, Trauma, People-Pleasing, Shadow Work, Spirituality, Moms, Teens, and Couples.
Tessa Wendell
Associate Therapist, AMFT
People-Pleasing, Self-Esteem, Anxiety, Trauma, Relationships, Moms, Teens and Couples.
Our Offices
We offer in-person therapy from our offices in San Francisco, El Dorado Hills, CA (near Folsom and Sacramento), and online counseling and coaching worldwide.

What People are Saying
★★★★★
Clara is one of the most caring and supportive individuals I have met in this field. She brings a calming energy to any environment and has such a genuine and kind heart. Her clients are lucky to have her!
- Lillian, Folsom, CA
Ready to Work Together?
Here’s how to get started:
Additional Resources
Are you longing to love yourself more?
Download this free guide:
12 Practices to Love Yourself More in Just 5 Minutes a Day
Dive Deeper: Articles for Holistic Healing

FAQ’s about Therapy for People-Pleasing
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People-Pleasing Therapy is designed to help you break free from the exhausting cycle of putting others' needs ahead of your own. In therapy, you'll explore the root causes of your people-pleasing patterns, such as past experiences or unconscious beliefs that have shaped how you interact with others. Your therapist will guide you in identifying the thoughts and emotions that keep you stuck, while helping you build tools to set boundaries, prioritize your own needs, and feel confident in your decisions. This isn't about changing who you are—it's about empowering you to embrace your authenticity and create relationships based on mutual respect and understanding.
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If you often say "yes" when you want to say "no," therapy could help. You might notice that you prioritize others' needs at the expense of your own, fear conflict, or feel like you constantly need approval to feel worthy. If you find yourself exhausted from trying to keep everyone else happy while neglecting your own well-being, therapy can provide a helpful space to explore these patterns and find new ways of being in the world.
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Yes, therapy can help you learn to set boundaries in a way that feels healthy and appropriate, not guilt-inducing. You'll work with your therapist to understand why guilt arises when you prioritize your needs, and develop strategies to shift that mindset. Through therapy, you'll learn to honor your feelings while communicating your boundaries clearly and respectfully. Over time, setting boundaries will become a natural way of investing in healthy, supportive relationships.
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The length of therapy depends on your unique needs and goals, personal history, and healing journey. Some people notice meaningful changes in a few months, while others find that deeper, long-term work is helpful for transforming deeply ingrained patterns. Your therapist or coach will work with you at your own pace, helping you uncover the root causes of your people-pleasing tendencies while building practical tools for change.
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Your first therapy session is an opportunity to share your story in a safe, nonjudgmental space, while also getting to know your therapist, to make sure it feels like a good fit. You'll talk about what brought you to therapy, your experiences with people-pleasing, and your hopes for the future. Your therapist will ask questions to better understand your unique situation, share how they can help, and assess what approach might work best for you. If it feels like a good match, you'll work together to create a treatment plan that honors your goals and comfort level.
If for any reason it's not the right fit, your therapist will help connect you with another therapist on our team who might better serve your needs.
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We integrate several therapeutic approaches based on your unique needs. These might include Internal Family Systems (IFS) to understand different parts of yourself, Somatic Therapy to address how people-pleasing shows up in your body, and mindfulness practices to strengthen your connection to your authentic self.
We also incorporate practical tools from evidence-based approaches like CBT and DBT to help you create lasting change.
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Not at all! Learning to identify and honor your own needs will help you show up more authentically in your relationships and for your life. Constantly sacrificing your own needs and desires often leads to resentment and burnout. Therapy can help you understand that taking care of yourself isn't selfish—it's necessary for creating healthy, fulfilling relationships and living a full life.
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Finding the right therapist is about more than just matching specialties and schedules – it's about finding someone who truly understands you and your unique journey. When looking for a people-pleasing therapist, make sure to work with a licensed mental health professional with specific training in healing relational patterns.
At The Holistic Counseling Center, we carefully match you with a therapist based on several factors:
Their specialized training and experience with people-pleasing patterns
Their therapeutic style and approach
Their personality and way of working
Your specific needs, goals, and preferences
Your personal history and life experiences
All our therapists are licensed mental health professionals with advanced training in both evidence-based and holistic mental health approaches. We understand how important the therapeutic relationship is, and finding the right fit is super important for deep healing work. If you ever feel your therapist isn't the best match, just let us know! We'll help connect you with another therapist on our team who might be a better fit.
Schedule a free consultation call to start the matching process and find a therapist who resonates with you. We're committed to supporting you in finding not just any therapist, but the right therapist for your healing journey.
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Taking the first step toward healing can feel overwhelming, but we've made the process simple and supportive. Here's how to begin your healing journey:
1. Schedule a Free Consultation Call
Book a complimentary 15-minute consultation call with our team. During this call, we'll:Listen to what's bringing you to therapy
Answer any questions you have about our approach
Discuss which of our therapists might be the best fit
Review practical details like fees, insurance, and scheduling
2. Your First Session If it feels like a good fit, we'll schedule your first therapy session. Your initial session is an opportunity to:
Share your story in a safe, non-judgmental space
Explore what’s possible in therapy, and set some goals
Learn what tools you can start using to support your mind, body, heart and spirit
Create a personalized treatment plan that honors your unique struggles, goals and personality
3. Moving Forward After your first session, we'll establish a regular therapy schedule that works for you. While weekly sessions are recommended initially to help establish safety and momentum in your healing journey, we understand that everyone's circumstances are different and will work with you to find a rhythm that feels supportive and sustainable.
Ready to begin? You can schedule your free consultation call by:
Calling or texting us at 916.467.9539
Emailing us at admin@theholisticcounseling.center
We know reaching out for support takes courage, especially when you're dealing with complex trauma. We're honored to be part of your healing journey.
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We offer people-pleasing therapy anywhere we can legally and ethically provide therapy, which varies depending on your location. If therapy isn’t available in your state, holistic coaching may be an option for support.
If you live in one of the following locations, we can provide therapy:
California (El Dorado Hills, Sacramento, Folsom, San Francisco, Santa Cruz)
Colorado
Alabama
Arizona
Florida
Missouri
Utah
Idaho
Washington
Pennsylvania
If you have questions about availability in your state, feel free to text or schedule a free consultation call to learn more.
We also offer coaching for people-pleasing worldwide and can walk you through the difference between therapy and coaching on a consultation call.

Make an Appointment With a Therapist for People-Pleasing Near You
Curious about a holistic approach to healing your people-pleasing patterns and how our therapists can support you? Let’s chat!
Just click below to schedule your complimentary consultation call and our intake coordinator will reach out to discuss logistics and schedule your first appointment.
If you have any other questions feel free to send a message through this contact form and we’ll get back to you in the next 48 hours.
Discover the real reason you self-sabotage and strategies to help you heal. Learn about self-compassion, inner child work, and reparenting yourself on your healing journey.