You finally set a boundary—then comes the guilt, defensiveness, or disappointment from the other person. Now what? Especially if you’re a perfectionist or people-pleaser, those reactions can make you want to back down… fast. As a therapist in New York, I’ll walk you through what’s really happening when people push back on your boundaries and how to handle it with more clarity, confidence, and self-compassion.

You’re great at showing up for others—but what happens when that means constantly putting yourself last? If you're someone who feels guilty saying no, struggles to set limits, and finds it hard to rest when others need you, this post is for you. As a therapist working with perfectionists and people-pleasers in New York, I’ll walk you through how to recognize your needs, push back on social pressure, and protect your energy—without ghosting your relationships or becoming the “bad friend” you’re afraid you’ll become.

Sure, you take time off… kind of. But it tends to feel like there are strings attached. If you take vacation, you need to do enough work before you leave so you’re not “slacking,” putting too much on your coworkers, or stressing about coming back to even more work. If you’re sick, you need to get better as soon as possible—and you’re still answering emails and Slack messages between naps on your sick day (if you even take one). As perfectionists and people-pleasers, it’s easy to feel guilty or stressed about taking time off, so that time off—when it actually happens—doesn’t always feel like the rest you actually need. In this post, I talk through some tips on how to let yourself take the time off you need (and deserve) and actually rest.

You look forward to summer every year, but by mid-July, you’re already running on empty. If you’re a perfectionist or people-pleaser, summer can bring pressure to say yes to everything and enjoy it all. In this post, I’ll walk you through therapist-backed strategies to help you set limits, prioritize what really matters, and enjoy summer without the guilt or burnout.