Therapy Across Virginia | Florida.
Therapy for People Pleasing and Perfectionism
a safe place to untangle years of putting others first
In our work, we support women who feel stuck in the cycle of meeting everyone else’s needs while quietly pushing their own to the side. Together, we explore the patterns that leave you second guessing yourself, apologizing when you haven’t done anything wrong, or carrying the weight of responsibility for other people’s emotions.
You’ve built a successful life, but inside, you’re overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and running on fumes. At Positive Moods , we specialize in helping high-achieving women heal from burnout, perfectionism, and anxiety using personalized, evidence-based approaches like EMDR. You don’t have to hold it all together alone.
You have worked so hard to become a Doctor, Lawyer, or maybe you have overpoured into your career to achieve the dream role…Director of HR, or maybe you are giving your all while in residency, all while feeling that urge to reach perfectionism, all while you feel like something is still missing, but you can’t put your finger on it.
While you may hear the daunting words of “burnout” or “people pleasing” or even “perfectionism” you never thought YOU would be in that position.
Here is how burnout, people pleasing and perfectionism can show up in your life!
Lawyers
Late nights preparing cases, leaving little time for family or personal life
Pressure to win or perform perfectly in front of peers and clients
Constant comparison to colleagues and fear of falling behind
High stress leading to difficulty switching off after work
Government Workers & Public Servants
Managing unrealistic expectations with limited resources
Pressure to perform flawlessly because mistakes can impact communities or policy
Struggling with constant scrutiny or political pressure
Carrying responsibility without recognition, leading to frustration and fatigue
CEOs, Executives, and Directors
Feeling the weight of every decision on employees, stakeholders, or the company
Difficulty delegating because you believe no one will meet your standards
Sacrificing personal relationships and well-being for career demands
Living in constant “go mode,” unable to fully rest or disconnect
Doctors & Healthcare ProfessionalsWorking long hours while neglecting your own health and rest
Feeling guilty for taking breaks or using vacation time
Second-guessing medical decisions even when you’re highly qualified
Emotional fatigue from constantly caring for others while putting yourself last
You feel like you are…
Constantly performing but rarely feeling fulfilled
Saying “yes” when you’re screaming “no” inside
Carrying the weight of everyone else’s expectations
Struggling to slow down without feeling guilty
Tired of shrinking yourself to keep the peace
Achieving on the outside, but anxious or empty on the inside
You don’t have to choose between losing yourself or losing others.
Before starting therapy, many of my clients shared that they felt insecure, guilty, or even “selfish” at the thought of expressing their real needs. For years, they believed there were only two options:
Constantly give in to everyone else’s expectations, or
Cut people off completely to escape the pressure.
But here’s the truth: there’s another way.
You are worthy of relationships where you feel safe, respected, and authentic. It is absolutely possible to share your thoughts, feelings, and needs clearly, without guilt, shame, or fear. You don’t have to keep shrinking yourself just to keep the peace.
In therapy, we’ll work together to help you:
Recognize and break free from people-pleasing patterns
Build confidence in speaking your truth without apology
Set boundaries that feel firm yet compassionate
Create healthier, more fulfilling relationships without having to sacrifice your authentic self
Imagine walking into a room and knowing you can be your real self; no masks, no overthinking, no fear of disappointing others. That’s the kind of freedom therapy can help you find.
You’ve got this! Booking the call is one of the bravest investment in yourself you could do!
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Even when you try to rest, there’s a voice in your head telling you you’re lazy or falling behind. The guilt makes it nearly impossible to truly recharge
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You wake up tired even after a full night’s sleep. No matter how much coffee or how many breaks you take, you still feel drained mentally, emotionally, and physically.
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You catch yourself wondering, ‘What’s the point?’ The spark you once had for your work or passions feels dim, and you’re not sure how to get it back
How Therapy Can Help!
You wake up feeling rested and energized, ready to face your day with clarity and confidence. Instead of running on empty, you’ve built routines that restore your energy and keep you grounded.
You move through your day with focus and clarity, tackling tasks with energy and purpose. Work feels meaningful again, and you can take pride in your accomplishments without feeling weighed down.
You give yourself permission to rest without guilt, knowing that slowing down is part of your success, not a weakness. Rest leaves you feeling recharged, focused, and ready to show up fully in both work and life.
You still excel in your career, but now you have healthy boundaries. You feel balanced and calm, with tools to manage stress in a way that supports your career success and your personal well-being.
How Therapy With us Works
01
Reach out
We’ll begin with a 15 minute consultation where you can share what burnout looks like for you. This is a safe space to be honest about the exhaustion, stress, and overwhelm you’re carrying. No pressure, no judgment just listening and clarity.
02
Get to work
Together, we’ll create a personalized plan based on your goals. Using evidence-based approaches like EMDR, inner child work, and boundary setting, we’ll work through what’s holding you back and build tools for lasting change.
03
See change
With consistent support, you’ll learn how to reduce stress, prevent burnout from taking over, and reconnect with yourself. Our goal is for you to leave sessions feeling lighter, more in control, and ready to thrive again and break the cycles.
discover your inner zest for life.
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discover your inner zest for life. —
FAQ
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You might struggle with saying “no,” feel responsible for other people’s emotions, or constantly put yourself last. If you often feel drained, resentful, or unseen, people-pleasing may be at the root.
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Perfectionism is more than wanting to do well it’s the constant pressure to meet unrealistically high standards. It often leads to self-criticism, procrastination, burnout, and feeling like “nothing is ever good enough.”
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Challenge unhelpful beliefs about worth and achievement
Develop self-compassion and resilience
Learn to set realistic goals and boundaries
Reframe mistakes as opportunities for growth instead of proof of failure
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While many of my clients are high-achieving women who struggle with people-pleasing and perfectionism, therapy is open to anyone seeking freedom from these patterns.
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Yes! People-pleasing often stems from patterns built over years, sometimes linked to self-esteem, trauma, or fear of conflict. Therapy helps you identify these roots and gives you practical tools to replace them with healthier patterns.