Guilt can be helpful when it guides us to repair, but constant guilt for resting, saying no, or putting yourself first can quietly drain your energy and self worth. This post explores where excessive guilt comes from, how it shows up in everyday life, and how therapy with Jess Whitney can help you untangle old beliefs, trust your own values, and move forward with more ease and self compassion.

Do you cope with tension by staying agreeable, apologizing, and taking care of everyone else? This is often the fawn response, a survival pattern that forms in unsafe or unpredictable relationships. This blog explains where the fawn response comes from, how it shows up in adult life, and how therapy can help you create safer, more honest connections without losing your kindness or yourself.

Many people know boundaries matter but freeze when it is time to set one. You might say yes when you want to say no, feel responsible for everyone else, or worry you are too much. If you grew up managing other people’s emotions, it can be hard to believe your limits are allowed to exist. This post explores what a boundary truly is, why it can feel so uncomfortable to set one, and how making space for your needs can actually create more honest and sustainable relationships.

Anxious attachment can make relationships feel like constant guesswork and emotional whiplash. This blog explores what anxious attachment is, how it often begins in childhood, and the ways it shows up in adult relationships. You will also learn gentle starting steps for soothing your nervous system, communicating more clearly, and how therapy can support you in moving toward a more secure and steady sense of connection.

People pleasing can look like kindness, but it often comes from fear of rejection or conflict. This post explores where the pattern begins, how it impacts your sense of self, and how therapy with Jess Whitney can help you find confidence and balance in your relationships.

Growing up with emotionally immature parents can leave you feeling confused, over-responsible, or unsure of your own needs. This post explores what emotional immaturity looks like, how it affects self-esteem and relationships, and how therapy with Jess Whitney can help you set boundaries, find clarity, and begin healing from your childhood experiences.

Perfectionism often looks like success on the outside, but inside it can feel like constant pressure, self‑criticism, and anxiety. This blog explores how perfectionism develops from early experiences, the hidden emotional costs it carries, and how therapy and practical strategies can help shift the cycle. Readers will learn how to recognize perfectionist patterns, understand their roots, and begin building a healthier sense of worth.

Learn how boundaries reduce anxiety and improve mental health. Explore therapy strategies for people‑pleasing and stress relief.

Many people feel guilty for resting, even when they are exhausted. Therapy helps uncover the beliefs behind that guilt, offering strategies to reduce anxiety, manage stress, and build resilience through intentional self‑care.

For many anxious overachievers, rest feels like something you have to earn, only allowed once every task is complete and no one else needs you. But the list is never done, which means rest never comes. This blog explores why rest feels unsafe, the beliefs that make slowing down so difficult, and five powerful ways to begin resting without guilt. Reclaim rest as a lifeline, not a luxury, and start building resilience, clarity, and joy.

People‑pleasing often begins in childhood, shaped by subtle or direct messages about love, worth, and conflict. These patterns can leave adults anxious, over‑giving, and afraid to set boundaries. This blog unpacks five common childhood messages that keep people‑pleasers stuck and offers five powerful strategies to rewire those patterns. Learn how to move from survival mode to authentic living, with compassion and practical tools for lasting change.

If you’ve been in therapy but still feel anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck in people‑pleasing patterns, you’re not alone. Many women find that traditional talk therapy doesn’t fully address the nervous system, trauma roots, or the need for deeper, safer therapeutic work.

People‑pleasing often looks like kindness on the outside but feels like anxiety, exhaustion, and guilt on the inside. EMDR therapy helps uncover the trauma roots of over‑giving and empowers you to set boundaries without fear or shame.