codependency Therapy in MINNEAPOLIS + ST PAUL
Therapy for People Pleasing
& Codependency
You’ve spent so much of your life trying not to be a burden.
You learned early to stay calm, stay helpful, stay out of the way. As a kid you became invisible. You looked like you didn’t need things.
Maybe you were the good girl. The golden child. The one who didn’t make a fuss or ask for much.
You learned to take care of other people’s feelings so they wouldn’t be disappointed or upset with you.
You learned to stay safe by giving before you were even asked.
As an adult you might have picked a career that continued these roles - you're the caregiver, the shoulder to cry on, the strong one.
You rarely say no — and when you do, it’s followed by guilt, explanation, or self-doubt.
You hold yourself to impossible standards. You’re your harshest critic. You would never talk to someone else the way you talk to yourself.
But lately? You’re starting to feel exhausted from all that giving.
Maybe you’re starting to feel resentful from always being the one to show up for others. You want to finally receive some care for once in your life.
You really want to:
stop making your feelings “bite sized” and palatable to keep others comfortable
stop feeling guilty for needing things or taking up space
allow yourself to be taken care of.
believe that others can step in and care for your needs, as well as you care for theirs.
In our work together, we’ll gently uncover why you learned to please and manage others’ emotions.
This strategy helped you navigate your childhood, and that’s why it became so essential.
Now, we can begin to imagine something different.
Not by forcing change or becoming “less caring,” but by respectfully inviting that part of you to step back — so there’s more room for you.
Your needs.
Your boundaries.
Your truest self.
