Therapy for Relationships & Boundaries in Alexandria & Across the DMV
Stop performing to keep the peace & settling for less than you deserve.
You’re the one who always shows up, gives and gives, ends each day drained and—though you hate to admit it—resentful.
Even the thought of telling someone “I can’t, I need some time for myself” sends a wave of guilt through your body. No matter how many times you tell yourself you’ve had enough, you end up getting pulled back into the same exhausting patterns. Whether it’s with family members who always need something or partners who can’t seem to love you the way you want, you’re left feeling unseen, unheard, and unsure if things will ever change. But the worst part is how lonely it feels to keep pretending you’re fine and wondering when your loved ones will notice you’re not.
You often find yourself thinking…
“My partner used to treat me so well—if I just try harder, maybe we can get back to that.”
“Every phone call with family or friends leaves me exhausted, but I still pick up every time.”
“I feel like I have to explain and defend every decision I make, and it makes me want to stop telling anyone anything about my life.”
“If I send money to my family, I might not be able to pay my own bills… but it feels like I have no choice.”
“I’m always the one people turn to, but who can I lean on?”
Boundaries aren't selfish—they’re how you protect your peace.
Let’s figure out how to build relationships that feel honest, safe, & mutual.
HOW WE’LL WORK TOGETHER
We’ll explore what keeps you saying “yes” when you want to say “no.”
In our work together, you won’t have to perform, defend yourself, or pretend to be okay. This is a space where you can finally talk about your relationships honestly without fear of judgment or tension. We’ll start by exploring how your earliest family experiences shaped what you believe about love, loyalty, and your own worth.
From there, we’ll map out the patterns you keep repeating and the inner dialogue that makes standing up for yourself to loved ones feel impossible. We’ll discuss what healthy relationships and boundaries could look like, while we also connect with the parts of you that learned to confuse love with sacrifice or chaos. Through this process, we’ll begin to shift those old beliefs so you can feel safer and more confident showing up as your full self in relationships.
What we’ll work on:
Setting boundaries without guilt.
Learn to say no without the crushing fear of being selfish or disloyal, and discover what it feels like to put yourself first without apology.
Communicating your needs with confidence.
Instead of defending or overexplaining, you’ll be able to clearly state what you want and expect—and trust that your needs matter.
Choosing healthier relationships.
Stop confusing attention for love or chaos for chemistry, and start recognizing the difference between partners who drain you and partners who are truly safe.
Breaking free from unhealthy family patterns and expectations.
See that being related doesn’t mean you have to tolerate emotional abuse or constant demands, and learn how to protect your peace even when family pushes back.
Believing you are worthy of love and respect.
Stop performing to earn scraps of affection and begin to expect the care, reciprocity, and respect you deserve just for being who you are.
Love shouldn’t feel like walking on eggshells.
End the cycle of giving more than you get in relationships.
FAQs
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If you feel guilty every time you say no, or if you keep ending up drained and resentful in relationships, that’s a sign boundaries are hard for you. Therapy can help you learn how to say no without shame and honor your own needs without fear.
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A lot of Black women are raised with unspoken rules about loyalty, family, and self-sacrifice. Saying no can feel like betrayal, and setting limits can bring guilt or pushback. In our work, you’ll learn that protecting your peace isn’t selfish—it’s essential. And we’ll practice holding boundaries in ways that honor your needs without apology.
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Absolutely. Boundaries aren’t just about romantic relationships—they’re about family, friendships, and work, too. We’ll explore where you feel obligated, what’s actually yours to carry, and how to protect your peace.
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Not at all. Many women feel embarrassed by what they’ve put up with, but I won’t judge you. My role is to help you understand why those patterns made sense at the time and how to move forward differently.