Breaking free from People Pleasing
In this 4 week online group, you’ll stop automatically putting everyone else first and start setting boundaries without feeling selfish or guilty.
You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of why you people please, practical tools to catch it in the moment, and the confidence to make small but powerful changes at home and at work.
Breaking free from people pleasing
4 week online course
Thank you
Does this sound familiar? You....
⚪ Let others have their own way most of the time, even when you quietly disagree.
⚪ Fear conflict, so you swallow your truth and then feel resentful
⚪ Struggle to know what you want or you end up going along with everyone else.
⚪ Feel trapped in situations where your needs aren’t met, because rocking the boat feels too risky.
⚪ Experience guilt when you ask for what you want – or you don’t ask at all.
If you see yourself in these, it may be a sign you’ve been living in “people‑pleasing mode”.
By the end of the 4 week online course you'll be better able to:
✓ Notice when you’re slipping into automatic people‑pleasing.
✓ Say what you really think and need in small, doable ways.
✓ Set boundaries without being swallowed by guilt.
✓ Handle other people’s disappointment without immediately caving.
✓ Value your own time, energy and wellbeing as much as everyone else’s.
OK I hear say, but what does this actually mean in terms of the difference it will make? Well, here are some examples:
✓ You feel able to have the "tricky" conversation and get on with your day, instead of losing sleep over it all week.
✓ You can say “no, thank you” to the extra work or the favour when your body and mind are already exhausted.
✓ You feel calmer and less snappy at home, because other people’s reactions no longer sit like a weight on your chest.
✓ Your become a role model that it’s possible to be kind and clear, without tying yourself in knots to keep everyone happy.
How it will work:
Format: Live online group on Zoom (the link is sent upon booking).
Dates: Thursdays 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th June
Time: 6.30pm – 8.00pm (UK)
Each session includes a short teaching piece, guided reflections, and simple “try this this week” suggestions so you can work towards achievable action.
Discussions will be managed in small groups with a broader discussion in the main group to share experiences and ideas. Please be assured there is no pressure to speak in the bigger group.
What's included?
For £175 (£150 if booked at early bird rate), you get:
⚪ 4 x 1.5‑hour live group sessions (6 hours total)
⚪ A printable workbook with journalling prompts
⚪ An optional 50‑minute 1:1 session at the end to consolidate and get personalised support
⚪ Support from a trained and experienced BACP registered counsellor
I’ve priced this round at £175 (for an overall value of about £450) to keep it accessible while honouring the work involved. If finances are the only block, you can get in touch to arrange a payment plan.
Who is this course for?
This course is for you if you recognise you’re a people pleaser and want to change that, are open to reflecting, trying new things, and taking action. You will do this alongside other likeminded people where experience and wisdom can be shared.
It's worth mentioning this course isn’t a crisis or emergency service; if you’re unsure, you’re welcome to contact me before booking and we can decide together.
You don’t have to keep postponing your needs or waiting for the “perfect time” to finally put yourself first.
If you’re quietly thinking “this is me”, you’re warmly invited to join us in June.
Here's what previous attendees said...
This course lifted me from a dark place and gave me the confidence, direction and inspiration to start making changes for the better. It helped me identify the issues that were haunting me and showed me how to face them so I could move forward.
The people pleasing course has completely changed my mindset. Understanding why I am the way I am has helped me notice when I’m about to ignore my own needs, set boundaries (especially at work) and even support my children to do the same.
The group was a caring and supportive space where I felt truly heard. Talking with others helped me see I wasn’t alone, make sense of my patterns, and come to decisions about how I want to move forward with healthier boundaries.
Hi, I'm Gemma
I’m a BACP registered counsellor based in Ripon, with 14 years experience in mental health and 4 years in private practice.
While I'm not typically a fan of labels, people pleasing is something many people identify with. It's also a topic that comes up time and time again in the therapy room.
Perhaps you've found yourself constantly saying yes when you want to say no, putting everyone else's needs before your own, or feeling guilty whenever you prioritise yourself. You're not alone.
People pleasing affects so many of us, yet it often goes unaddressed because we've learned to see it as just "being nice" or "being helpful." Yet when it starts to cost us our own wellbeing, it's time to make a change.
This course is designed to help you understand where your people pleasing patterns come from, recognise how they're impacting your life, and give you practical tools to set boundaries and put yourself first in a guilt free way.
Over 4 weeks, we'll create a safe, supportive space where you can explore these patterns and start making real, lasting changes.
