Stop Overgiving: Boundaries, People-Pleasing and Coming Back to Yourself
Many people think boundaries are about becoming stronger, firmer or more able to say no. While this can be part of the journey, boundaries are much deeper than words. A boundary is not only a sentence. It is an inner relationship with yourself. It is the moment you begin to notice what is true for […]
Rejection Sensitivity Isn’t an Overreaction: A Somatic Therapy View on Why Silence Hurts So Much
If a delayed text can ruin your afternoon, your nervous system isn’t broken — it’s hypervigilant. Here is the body-based path back to safety. By Abi Beri | Somatic Therapist & Integrative Practitioner, Dublin & Online Picture this. Someone you care about texts you. It is shorter than usual. No emoji. Just the words. And […]
Why You Feel Responsible for Everyone’s Feelings
The Inner Child, the Family System, and the Body That Carries It All By Abi Beri | Integrative Therapist | Dublin, Naas & Newbridge [Reading time: 13 minutes] You walk into a room — could be a party, a family gathering, a work meeting — and before you even sit down, you have already scanned […]
Inner Child Healing Through Somatic Therapy: Why Your Body Holds the Key to Childhood Wounds
You’ve probably heard about inner child work. Perhaps you’ve read about it, journaled about it, even talked about it in therapy. You understand, intellectually, that some of your patterns come from childhood. You can trace the origins of your people-pleasing, your perfectionism, your fear of abandonment. And yet… the patterns persist. You still find yourself […]
The Hidden Cost of Living for Others: How Societal Expectations Dysregulate Your Nervous System
Understanding the somatic experience of performance and the path to authentic living Have you ever noticed a particular tension that settles into your shoulders when you’re about to do something you “should” do rather than something you want to do? Or the way your breath becomes shallow when you’re performing a version of yourself that […]
Why Your Body Says Yes When You Want to Say No: The Somatic Truth About People-Pleasing
Understanding People-Pleasing as a Nervous System Pattern, Not a Character Flaw Your friend asks for a favor. Before your mind even processes the request, your body has already responded: shoulders tensing, breath quickening, jaw clenching—and then your mouth says “yes” while every cell in your body screams “no.” You leave the conversation feeling exhausted, resentful, […]
The Child Who Became Responsible Too Soon: Understanding Parentification Through the Body
When Your Shoulders Remember What Your Mind Tries to Forget Do your shoulders feel like they’re carrying the weight of the world? Does your jaw clench unconsciously when someone asks you for help—even though you’ll inevitably say yes? Do you struggle to take a full, deep breath, as if your body won’t allow you to […]
Understanding People-Pleasing: The Hidden Psychology Behind Approval Addiction
By Abi Beri, Integrative Holistic Therapist What Is People-Pleasing Really? People-pleasing goes far beyond being considerate or helpful. It’s a compulsive behavioral pattern where your sense of safety and self-worth becomes entirely dependent on others’ approval. Unlike healthy accommodation, people-pleasing involves systematically abandoning your authentic needs, desires, and boundaries to avoid conflict or potential rejection. […]
