Sam Widman
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFTMany of my clients identify as "people pleasers", and say they feel stuck in a difficult relationship with their family and/or partner. They may struggle setting boundaries and have a history of abandoning themselves in order to "keep the peace" with others. Some grew up in erratic or dysfunctional families where "walking on eggshells" was common and familiar. As adults, they have learned to tolerate dysfunction and may subconsciously select partners who are similarly invalidating and defensive.