WHEN EVERYONE ELSE’S NEEDS COME FIRST
Many of my clients are in relationships that leave them feeling drained or stuck. They have a hard time saying no, avoid conflict, put everyone else’s needs before their own, and worry about disappointing people. Because they want to keep the peace, they hold in their feelings or take responsibility for other people’s emotions and happiness. These patterns can show up in romantic relationships, families, friendships, and work. Over time, they can lead to resentment, exhaustion, anxiety, and a loss of your own sense of self because so much energy goes into taking care of everyone else.
MAKING ROOM FOR YOUR OWN NEEDS
In therapy, I help clients recognize the patterns that keep showing up in their relationships, understand where those patterns came from, and consider how they may have once served them. We explore the experiences and beliefs that taught them to put everyone else first, avoid conflict, or view their own needs as a burden. We work on communicating more openly, and I model that communication during our sessions. We also practice setting healthy boundaries, saying no when something doesn’t feel right, and managing the guilt or fear that can follow. As clients better understand the beliefs they carry about their worth, boundaries begin to feel more manageable and relationships can become more balanced and supportive.
