Therapy in NYC and New York for People-Pleasing
Therapy for people-pleasing tendencies in the heart of New York City
Do you often say “yes” when you want to say “no”? Do you feel responsible for keeping everyone around you happy, even at your own expense? If so, you may identify with people-pleasing, a deeply ingrained pattern rooted in early relationships and reinforced by fear of disapproval or conflict.
At CoreStory Psychology in Midtown Manhattan, we help clients understand why these patterns formed and how to change them using an integrative, psychodynamic approach that goes beyond surface-level behavior to address the deeper emotional dynamics underneath.
Understanding People-Pleasing
People-pleasing isn’t simply about being kind or considerate; it’s about earning acceptance. Many clients share histories where love or safety felt conditional: they learned early on that being “good,” agreeable, or accommodating brought connection, while asserting needs risked disapproval. Over time, these experiences shaped internal beliefs like:
“If I disappoint others, they’ll withdraw.”
“My needs are less important than theirs.”
“Conflict means I’ve failed.”
Left unexamined, these beliefs can lead to anxiety, burnout, resentment, and a fragile sense of self-worth.
How Therapy Helps
Therapy for people-pleasing involves both insight and action. In our sessions, we work to:
Explore early experiences that shaped your relationship to approval, care, and conflict.
Identify the unconscious patterns that drive you to prioritize others’ needs over your own.
Build the capacity to tolerate guilt, anxiety, and discomfort when setting healthy boundaries.
Develop a stronger, more cohesive sense of self — one that can hold both compassion and self-assertion.
Through a psychodynamic framework, we pay attention to the subtle emotional cues and relational dynamics that play out both in your life and in the therapy room itself. As awareness grows, you may begin to experience yourself differently in a way that is less constrained by others’ expectations and more guided by your own values and desires.
What Makes Our Approach Unique
At CoreStory Psychology, therapy is not one-size-fits-all. While we draw on psychodynamic principles, we also integrate evidence-based tools from emotionally focused therapy, attachment theory, and mindfulness practices, CBT, and DBT, among others. Our goal is not to eliminate your empathy or sensitivity (traits that often make people-pleasers deeply caring individuals) but to help you relate to others from a place of authenticity rather than obligation.
Begin Therapy for People-Pleasing in NYC
Change begins by understanding your story. If you’re ready to stop living by others’ expectations and start reconnecting with your authentic self, we invite you to reach out.
We offer in-person sessions in Midtown Manhattan and virtual therapy across New York State. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward building boundaries that honor both you and your relationships.
Our Midtown Office
Our office is located at 110 East 30th Street, Suite 503, just steps from the 6 train at 28th Street. We designed our space to feel calm, private, and restorative—a place where you can step away from the noise and focus on yourself.
Serving clients across Midtown, Murray Hill, Kips Bay, Gramercy, and the greater NYC area.