Philippe Ménard

If I specialize today in supporting individuals who tend to seek approval at all costs, it is because I have been there myself. For a long time, I believed my worth depended on my ability to meet others’ expectations—to be available, accommodating, and to avoid making waves. I was convinced that saying “yes” was a sign of kindness, and that pleasing others would ultimately make me happy.

Over time, however, I began to feel a vague discomfort. A persistent fatigue, a sense of emptiness I couldn’t quite explain. It took time and a great deal of introspection to realize that this need to please was distancing me from myself. I was no longer truly attuned to my own desires or limits. I came to understand that I didn’t always know what I wanted anymore.

I navigated this journey with the help of my therapist and tools that allowed me to reconnect with myself and reclaim my personal power. I learned to observe my reactions, to pause before responding, and to ask myself the essential question: “Am I respecting myself in this decision, or am I setting myself aside in this situation?”

Today, as a therapist, I support individuals who recognize themselves in this dynamic—those who feel discomfort without always being able to name it, who struggle to assert themselves, who apologize before setting boundaries, and who sometimes feel resentment without understanding why.

I know how difficult it can be to change these patterns. They are often deeply rooted, tied to the fear of rejection or a core belief that our worth is based on what we provide to others. My approach is grounded in compassion and non-judgment. I firmly believe that every small step toward self-assertion is a victory. I offer a safe, supportive space where clients can explore their relational patterns, get to know themselves better, and most importantly, give themselves permission to exist fully in their relationships.

In our work together, I draw on various tools to help clients identify the moments when they lose themselves, understand their triggers, and cultivate a stance that is more aligned with their real needs. Together, we transform the need to please into the ability to speak and act with confidence and authenticity.

Learning to stop pleasing at all costs does not mean becoming selfish. It means learning how to be in relationship with others without abandoning yourself. It is a path toward incredible inner freedom, a deeper connection with oneself, and more sincere and fulfilling relationships.

If these words resonate with you, know that you are not alone—and most importantly, that change is possible. I would be honored to accompany you on this journey, whether through individual therapy or in couples therapy.

• Learn more about this professional

  I am continuing my training and my personal development in order to enrich myself further in my knowledge of ​​relationships. For me, it is essential to continuously work on myself. Every day I learn to know myself better and to accept myself as I am, which is beneficial both in my personal life and in my work as a therapist.

• Learn even more about this professional

  I am becoming more and more interested in incorporating spirituality into my life and I recently did a 10-day silent retreat (Vipassana). It allowed me to know myself better in a physical, psychic and spiritual space.

• Learn a secret about this professional

  I have been happily married for 22 years and my wedding took place in a small chapel in Las Vegas, the Candelight Chapel, where Whoopi Goldberg and Michael Caine were also married!