The Hidden Cost of People-Pleasing: How Financial Therapy Can Help Your Clients Thrive

As a professional—whether you’re an accountant, therapist, attorney, or chiropractor—it can be challenging to address the mental stress your clients experience. You may hesitate to bring up the topic of money, but it’s essential to recognize that financial stress is often the number one cause of anxiety, regardless of whether someone has a little or a lot.

When I use the term Financial Therapy, many people mistakenly think it refers to financial literacy. In reality, I teach professionals how to help clients navigate money-related stress and overcome the fear of discussing these issues. You don’t need to have all the answers; you just need to know where to find them.

The Hidden Struggles of Your Clients

Your high-achieving clients often find themselves at the top, trying to lift others with them. They face both real and perceived obligations that keep them chasing money while worrying they don’t have enough. Many are the heroes in their families and communities, committed to caring for those around them.

However, this cycle of people-pleasing and caretaking creates a mental block that prevents them from experiencing peace. This mental block leaves them feeling drained, unfulfilled, and underappreciated. Here are some common emotional and physical symptoms they may face:

• Sleepless Nights: The weight of responsibilities can keep clients awake at night. Worrying about finances, relationships, and meeting expectations leads to restless nights. Ask your clients what’s keeping them up at night.

• Unhealthy Eating Habits: Many resort to comfort foods as a coping mechanism, which provides temporary relief but ultimately contributes to guilt and shame—along with serious health issues like high blood pressure and diabetes.

• Chronic People-Pleasing: Clients may feel an overwhelming need to please others, sacrificing their own happiness in the process. This behavior often results in resentment and burnout. Listen carefully when they vent; there could be an opportunity here for you to refer them to Financial Therapy.

• Financial Anxiety: Despite wanting financial freedom, clients may feel undeserving or guilty about pursuing wealth. Conversely they may be programmed to believe they have to work hard for money so they overwork themselves in order to deserve money. This internal conflict can create barriers to achieving their financial goals.

• Focused on the Negative: In times of crisis, it’s easy for clients to overlook their successes. Remind them that not everything is bad; there are highlights worth celebrating. Ask what’s going well when they fall into complaining mode.

Why It’s Hard to Address Financial Therapy

Bringing up the need for financial therapy can be uncomfortable. You might worry about how your clients will react or fear they’ll judge you for your own financial choices. One of my first financial therapy clients asked me why she should listen to me when she had more money than I did.

I replied, “Because I have more peace than you do.” My focus isn’t on teaching clients how to earn more money; it’s about helping them find more meaning in life. If they had all the answers, they wouldn’t feel so lonely or unhappy. The fact that she had more money than I did at the time didn’t negate the fact that I am the expert on peace, freedom, and happiness.

Know your skills and gifts. Don’t be afraid of this question. By acknowledging your own money emotions and getting clear on what you bring to the professional relationship you can answer with confidence. That’s why addressing your Money-based Emotions is a crucial step toward helping your clients address theirs.

The Importance of Session 0

So how do you guide your clients toward recognizing their need for support? One effective method is through Session 0—a structured initial meeting designed to explore readiness for change and assess hypnotizability. This session serves as a safe space for clients to reflect on their current state and identify barriers preventing them from achieving their goals.

My SelfSync Program is designed specifically to undo negative messages drilled into the subconscious by society. It combines existential therapy, hypnotherapy, and financial therapy in a fast and surprisingly easy way that produces lasting results.

What Happens in Session 0?

During Session 0, I ask targeted questions that illuminate clients’ thoughts and feelings surrounding money and self-worth. This isn’t about financial literacy; it’s about understanding the emotional landscape influencing their behaviors around money:

1. Exploration of Readiness: We assess where they stand in their journey toward change—are they ready to confront their beliefs about money?

2. Fostering Aha Moments: Clients often gain enlightening insights during this session, realizing patterns in their behavior shaped by upbringing or societal expectations.

3. Creating a Safe Space: While this phrase is often overused, it truly applies here. My sessions are fun! They’re not about making clients feel bad; they’re about showing possibilities. Before any meaningful change can occur, clients must feel safe enough to express themselves openly without pretense.

The Problems Clients Face

Many clients experience significant emotional turmoil related to various aspects of life—job stress, family obligations, or personal identity crises—all intertwined with money emotions:

• Overwhelmed by Responsibilities: They often neglect their own desires while focusing on others’ needs.

• Emotional Turmoil: Guilt, shame, and loneliness can lead to anxiety that disrupts sleep and enjoyment of life.

• Financial Anxiety: Even with material possessions, they may feel inadequate when comparing themselves to others.

Steps for Professionals

As a professional guiding your clients through these challenges, consider these four steps:

1. Encourage Self-Care: Remind your clients of the importance of setting aside time for themselves—through mindfulness practices or hobbies they enjoy.

2. Emotional Connection: Encourage them to spend time with people who allow them to be themselves. Many have been pretending since childhood and may struggle with self-identity.

3. Help Them Establish Boundaries: Teach your clients how to say no when necessary—a skill that takes time and practice but is essential for maintaining mental health.

4. Guide Them in Reflecting on Values: Encourage your client to identify personal values and goals; understanding what truly matters can clarify priorities and help hone their Authentic Wealth Code.

Why Attend Session 0?

For both you and your clients, attending Session 0 can be invaluable—it provides an opportunity for self-discovery while highlighting how emotional health impacts physical well-being.

In Session 0, I will guide participants through unlocking their Authentic Wealth Code—a unique approach tailored to help individuals navigate toward the money, meaning, freedom, and happiness they seek. Society often promotes a singular path to happiness; however, we all have our own codes waiting to be discovered.

By joining a Session 0—whether in a private setting or as part of a group—clients will gain insights into their emotional patterns surrounding money while receiving support for discovering who they truly are.

Call to Action

If you believe your client could benefit from this structured approach—or if you resonate with these themes—consider recommending they attend an upcoming Session 0—and perhaps attend one yourself! This session is designed not only for those struggling with balancing financial desires with personal fulfillment but also for anyone seeking clarity on authenticity.

Join our Session 0 waitlist for notifications about our next group Session 0 event or book a private session so you can experience it firsthand before referring your clients. Help your clients reclaim their sense of self while addressing the underlying Money-based Emotions affecting their well-being.

Whether you join the Session 0 waitlist or book a private Session 0, you’ll still be their hero!