Maggie Jones Boyle (she/her)

Most of my clients struggle with low self-esteem and wish they felt more confident and comfortable in their own skin. Low self-esteem presents in many different ways, and sometimes we engage in behaviors that we don't even realize are actually manifestations of the way we feel about ourselves and our own worth. Low self-esteem can look like chronic people pleasing, difficulties setting appropriate boundaries, being overly apologetic, or a strong inner fear of being judged.

Most of my clients struggle with codependent relational patterns alongside low self-esteem. Which, makes a lot of sense, because boundaries are about self-protection. And why would we go to the trouble of setting boundaries to protect ourselves (because, let's face it, setting boundaries is hard!) when our core belief is that we don't matter? That we can't take up space? That we are fundamentally unlovable and unworthy? We only seek to protect that which we believe is worthy of protecting.

I, myself, am an HSP, and I do my best work with other Highly Sensitive People. Being Highly Sensitive has many benefits... such as being creative, having a rich inner life, and being conscientious and empathic. HSPs are also more vulnerable to the negative impacts of trauma and commonly misdiagnosed as having a mental illness when they don't have one. I love creating a comfortable, safe space for fellow HSP clients to dive deep and heal the wounds underlying their symptoms.

My background is as a trauma specialist working with children and adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. My approach to therapy is trauma informed and trauma centered. I understand that unresolved trauma can lead to a wide array of symptoms and can easily be misdiagnosed as other mental health disorders. I do my best work with those wishing to integrate and process relational trauma from their family of origin in childhood or abusive relationships in adulthood.

I work through a trauma-informed lens. Most of my clients have what is referred to as Complex PTSD. C-PTSD occurs in situations where the trauma is ongoing and inescapable--such as in an ongoing abusive relationship. I help adults of dysfunctional families heal their childhood trauma. I also specialize in helping people heal trauma from toxic relationships and narcissistic abuse in adulthood. Having C-PTSD from childhood makes us more vulnerable to narcisisstic abuse in adulthood.

​Most of the women I see live with some level of what would be considered "high functioning" anxiety. In fact, anxiety is typically the symptom that brings most of my clients through the front (virtual) door. For the women I work with anxiety usually looks like overthinking, impossibly high standards for themselves, people-pleasing, over-preparing, difficulty setting boundaries, conflict avoidance, and staying in unfulfilling relationships for too long.

​Most of the women I see live with some level of what would be considered "high functioning" anxiety. In fact, anxiety is typically the symptom that brings most of my clients through the front (virtual) door. For the women I work with anxiety usually looks like overthinking, impossibly high standards for themselves, people-pleasing, over-preparing, difficulty setting boundaries, conflict avoidance, and staying in unfulfilling relationships for too long.

Learn the common traits of Highly Sensitive People and how to work with them instead of against them. Learn to recognize the emotional and physical symptoms of sensory overwhelm and how to work with it. Learn what most highly sensitive people need in order to be happy and healthy, and review you own life to see if these needs are being met. Learn how to advocate for yourself—and for your needs as a HSP—at work, home, and in your relationships.