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Image 21-08-2025 at 09.44.jpeg

Letting go of People Pleasing - An 8 Week Somatic Journey for Women in Reclaiming our Authentic Selves | 2 Oct - 27 Nov 2025 | Cork City

€425.00
FULLY BOOKED

2 October - 27 November, 2025 | Thursdays 7pm - 9.30pm | Cork City

This experiential and psychoeducational course offers you a warm and supportive space to explore the ways in which you may find yourself stuck inside patterns of people pleasing while neglecting your own needs, boundaries and well-being. Together, we will explore the deep, often unconscious roots of people pleasing as a safety strategy, and learn somatic practices and resources to support you returning to your own body, cultivating inner safety, and living more rooted in your own authenticity.

People pleasing, also known as the fawn response, is usually learnt early in life - shaped by our family systems, our environments and the cultural messages we receive about what makes us “good”. When love, approval and safety become dependent upon us being “good”, agreeable, self-sacrificing, attuned to others needs over our own, we learn to adapt. 

While this way of relating may have helped us to avoid conflict and preserve connection, overtime it can leave us feeling disconnected from our authentic self, struggling to know our own needs and desires, feeling weighed down by the exhaustion of endlessly tending to others while ignoring ourselves.

Deep down, we long to return to who we really are.

Yet, our sense of safety can often feel so entangled with the approval of others. At the heart of this course is the understanding that when we cultivate a deep sense of safety and belonging within our own selves, we create the inner ground that allows us to slowly let go of people-pleasing and open to more authentic ways of relating.  

This course weaves together somatic therapy, depth psychology, movement and breath practices, as well as music, poetry and ritual, to support you in turning your attention back towards your own self - inwards and downwards - attuning to the language of your own body.  With curiosity and kindness, we will come to understand the wise and protective role of people pleasing, while learning to listen within to the parts of you that you had to turn away from to appease others - often these parts hold our authentic voice, our needs, our desires, our protective anger, our power. 

By anchoring your awareness down into the felt sense of your body, you can begin to slowly reclaim theses silenced parts, learning to offer them the medicine of your own attention, listening to their stories of unmet needs, whispering to them words of kindness, until slowly you weave a sense of safety and belonging back into your bones. You come to know again the sound of your authentic voice, honouring your own needs and desires, strengthening your boundaries, trusting again in your own instincts and intuition.

As you breath these parts of yourself back to life, you come to discover that your capacity for empathy, care and attunement to others remains - but now can be expressed without abandoning your own self in the process. 

Artwork licensed from Tijana Lukovic

2 October - 27 November, 2025 | Thursdays 7pm - 9.30pm | Cork City

This experiential and psychoeducational course offers you a warm and supportive space to explore the ways in which you may find yourself stuck inside patterns of people pleasing while neglecting your own needs, boundaries and well-being. Together, we will explore the deep, often unconscious roots of people pleasing as a safety strategy, and learn somatic practices and resources to support you returning to your own body, cultivating inner safety, and living more rooted in your own authenticity.

People pleasing, also known as the fawn response, is usually learnt early in life - shaped by our family systems, our environments and the cultural messages we receive about what makes us “good”. When love, approval and safety become dependent upon us being “good”, agreeable, self-sacrificing, attuned to others needs over our own, we learn to adapt. 

While this way of relating may have helped us to avoid conflict and preserve connection, overtime it can leave us feeling disconnected from our authentic self, struggling to know our own needs and desires, feeling weighed down by the exhaustion of endlessly tending to others while ignoring ourselves.

Deep down, we long to return to who we really are.

Yet, our sense of safety can often feel so entangled with the approval of others. At the heart of this course is the understanding that when we cultivate a deep sense of safety and belonging within our own selves, we create the inner ground that allows us to slowly let go of people-pleasing and open to more authentic ways of relating.  

This course weaves together somatic therapy, depth psychology, movement and breath practices, as well as music, poetry and ritual, to support you in turning your attention back towards your own self - inwards and downwards - attuning to the language of your own body.  With curiosity and kindness, we will come to understand the wise and protective role of people pleasing, while learning to listen within to the parts of you that you had to turn away from to appease others - often these parts hold our authentic voice, our needs, our desires, our protective anger, our power. 

By anchoring your awareness down into the felt sense of your body, you can begin to slowly reclaim theses silenced parts, learning to offer them the medicine of your own attention, listening to their stories of unmet needs, whispering to them words of kindness, until slowly you weave a sense of safety and belonging back into your bones. You come to know again the sound of your authentic voice, honouring your own needs and desires, strengthening your boundaries, trusting again in your own instincts and intuition.

As you breath these parts of yourself back to life, you come to discover that your capacity for empathy, care and attunement to others remains - but now can be expressed without abandoning your own self in the process. 

Artwork licensed from Tijana Lukovic

“The psyches and souls of women have their own cycles and seasons of doing and solitude, running and staying, being involved and being removed, questing and resting, creating and incubating, being of the world and returning to the soul-place”.

- Clarissa Pinkola Estés

  • Week One - Rooting in Safety 

    We begin by creating a foundation of safety, anchoring our awareness in our body. We will explore the nervous system and our threat responses, along with core somatic skills that support regulation. You will attune to your body’s cues for safety and unsafety, as well as reflecting on the ways the pattern of people pleasing shows up in your life.

    Week Two -  The Origins of People-Pleasing 

    With curiosity and compassion, we explore the deeper roots of our people-pleasing, coming to understand it as a protective strategy for preserving love and belonging.  We draw from an ancient story in women’s psychology to reflect on what parts of us have been left behind through people pleasing, and what now longs to be breathed back to life. 

    Week Three - Meeting the Protectors: Inner Critic & Guilt 

    We will explore the protective role of the inner critic and guilt in holding the patterns of people pleasing in place. With kindness and gentleness, we begin to explore how these parts feel in the body, their underlying needs and practicing ways to meet them from your grounded Self. 

    Week Four - Boundaries and Belonging 

    We explore how patterns of people pleasing can blur our boundaries with others, often losing a sense of ourselves in an effort to maintain connection. We discover how true belonging is when we can stand in our authentic self while staying connected with others. Through relational and somatic practices, we explore ways to slowly re-establish our boundaries in a way that honours connection without self-abandonment. 

    Week Five - The Freeze underneath the Fawn Response 

    We turn towards the layers of freeze and collapse that often lie underneath our patterns of people pleasing. We explore how people pleasing can be interwoven with states of dissociation, numbness and shutdown - how you may appear engaged and attentive on the outside while within, feeling numb or disconnected from yourself. Through gentle somatic practices, we learn to tend to these parts with warmth and care, inviting small movements of expansion, slowly creating space for our aliveness to return.

    Week Six - Reclaiming our Protective Anger 

    Beneath patterns of people pleasing, anger can often lie hidden — silenced, turned inward, or buried under freeze, leaving us feeling powerless, resentful, or exhausted. We begin to gently reconnect with anger as a protective ally, the energy that protects our boundaries, speaks our truth, and affirms our right to take up space. Through somatic practices, we explore how to feel this life force in the body without being overwhelmed, reclaiming its wisdom as a source of strength and clarity.

    Week Seven - Reclaiming Desire and Learning to Receive 

    We explore how people pleasing patterns direct energy flow outwards - giving, tending, accommodating - while our own needs and desires often fade into the background. We begin to gently turn some of that energy inwards, making space to feel, name and honour our longings. Together, we explore what it means to receive - care, support, pleasure, even our own truth - as a safe embodied experience. Through somatic practice and voice work we begin to reclaim our own desires and practice speaking with authenticity.   

    Week Eight - Integration & Continuing the Journey 

    We take time to reflect on our 8 week journey together -  the insights, the somatic practices and the changes that are beginning to take root. We explore ways to weave the practices and resources into your daily life and gathering the anchors to return to when old patterns arise. Through a closing ritual and sharing, we honour what has shifted, what is still unfolding, and set intentions for continuing the inner work of deepening your connection with your authentic self.

  • Over the eight weeks you will be supported through:

    • Weekly 2.5 hour in-person sessions (Thursdays, 7-9.30pm) - a rich blend of teaching, guided somatic practices, group sharing and space for reflection. 

    • Weekly course handouts –  carefully curated PDFs with the week’s core themes and content, somatic practices, and journal prompts designed to deepen your process and help you integrate the work between sessions. These will be sent to you by email after each session. By the end of the course, these will form a complete workbook of resources that you can continue to return to.

    • Audio recordings of the guided somatic practices and meditations so you can revisit them in your own time.

    • A weekly inspiration folder of poetry, artwork and music that speaks to the theme of each week, offering gentle nourishment for your process.

    • Community support - for the duration of the course you have the option to be a part of a shared space for connection (via a private Whatsapp group). This offers a gentle space to stay connected between sessions, share reflections and resources, and feel the support and encouragement of the group as you move through the course together.  

    • Email support is available from me for the duration of the course, for brief check-ins, clarifications, or guidance if you need it.

    • All materials provided at the venue – yoga mats, cushions, bolsters, (and chairs, if needed), as well as a nourishing selection of herbal teas to enjoy before or during the session.

  • Investment:

    €395 - opening rate until Sept 11

    €425 - full rate until Oct 2

    For bookings, click Book Now below. You will receive a booking confirmation email straight away, a welcome note within 48 hours, and a course introduction email one week before the course starts.

    Spaces are limited, so that the group can remain intimate and supportive.

    Please note bookings are non-refundable.

  • We will gather on Thursday evenings, 7–9.30pm, from October 2nd to November 27th (with a break on the week of October 30th).

    Our sessions take place at 4 Tuckey Street, Cork — a warm, nourishing space in the heart of the city. On-street parking is nearby (free after 6pm), with paid parking facilities just around the corner from the venue.

    Investment:

    €395 - opening rate until Sept 11

    €425 - full rate until Oct 2

    For booking, click Book Now below. You will receive a booking confirmation email straight away, a welcome note within 48 hours, and a course introduction email one week before the course starts.

    Spaces are limited, so that the group can remain intimate and supportive.

    Please note bookings are non-refundable.

  • This is in-depth work for women who want to explore the origins of their patterns of people-pleasing and who feel ready to step into greater authenticity, vitality, and self-trust through group process, somatic and psychological work. 

    It is for those willing to slow down, listen inward, and be open to exploring new ways of relating - to themselves, their bodies and others. 

    If you find yourself unsure about your readiness, you are welcome to reach out to me to explore whether this course would be a good fit for you.

  • While some experience with personal development and self-reflection can be beneficial, it is not a requirement. What matters more is your willingness to show up with curiosity, honesty and openness to the process.  

  • No, this is not a group therapy process. While it may feel therapeutic and bring about meaningful change, this course is primarily experiential and psycho-educational. Sharing is always optional, and the group space is held as a safe and supportive container for you to connect more deeply with yourself in the presence of others. 

  • The course is designed to meet you where you are at. All practices are invitational and are guided gently, with space to move at your own pace. In somatic work, we follow the principle of titration - gently moving toward your edges, and then returning to a place of ground and resource. This helps your body build capacity without being overwhelmed.

    It’s natural that when we begin to explore what lies underneath our patterns of people pleasing, we come into contact with new layers of ourselves - some tender, some unfamiliar, some long-hidden. Moments of vulnerability, discomfort, and resistance may arise. This is part of the growth process. Every practice is offered as an invitation, guided by your own body’s pace, slowly allowing new possibilities to emerge in a safe and supported way. 

  • It is not a requirement, but it can be a valuable support. Sometimes this work brings up feelings or memories that may need more space and time than we have in the group setting. While we will move gently and with care, some participants choose to work with a therapist alongside the course so they have an additional space to process anything that arises. Whether or not you do this is entirely up to you and your needs. 

    I am available by email throughout the course for brief check-ins, questions, or clarifications between sessions, so you can feel supported as you move through the material.

  • Each week we gather together in a circle, with the option to sit on yoga mats, cushions, or chairs — whatever feels most comfortable for you. The sessions follow a gentle rhythm, balancing teaching, reflection, and embodied practice.

    A typical evening includes:

    • An opening check-in or short sharing round

    • A recap of the previous week’s themes

    • Teaching content on the focus of that week

    • A short tea break

    • Guided somatic practices and embodiment work

    • Dyad or small-group sharing

    • A closing relaxation or integration practice

    The space will be open 20 minutes before we begin, so you have time to arrive, settle in, chat or rest, and enjoy a cup of herbal tea before we start.

  • You will always have choice in how much or how little you share. This course is process-oriented where personal sharing is invited because it can be deeply healing for both the speaker and the listener — and it allows us to learn from each other’s experiences.

    That said, you are always invited to participate in whatever way feels safe for you on the day — whether that’s contributing in the larger group, sharing in a smaller breakout group, or simply listening and taking it in. 

  • You will still receive all the materials we covered that week by email  — including handouts, recordings of the somatic practices, and the journal prompts — so you can catch up in your own time.

    As the process is cumulative and relational, attending in person offers the richest experience. However, you will still be able to stay connected to the group’s journey, and I am available by email throughout the course if you need clarification or extra guidance as you work through the material you missed.

  • The practices offered each week are there to support your learning and integration. You are welcome to work with them at your own pace — there is no pressure to do the practices or engage with the materials between sessions.

    That said, the more you spend time with these tools — even in small, gentle ways — the more you will notice shifts in your awareness, relationships, and nervous system. 

    Change happens through repetition and exploration. The practices are invitations to experiment with new ways of being in between our sessions. Some may become resources you return to long after the course ends. 

  • Please bring:

    • A bottle of water

    • A cosy blanket or shawl

    • A journal and a pen

    • Wear comfortable clothing for movement and floor-based practices

    Everything else will be provided — including yoga mats, cushions, bolsters, and chairs (if you prefer to sit upright). There will also be a lovely selection of herbal teas available for you to enjoy upon arrival and during our tea break. 

  • People-pleasing is more than just a habit — it’s a deeply learned way of staying safe and connected, usually formed in childhood and reinforced over time. Because it is woven into both our nervous system and our sense of self, change takes time, repetition, and support.

    An 8-week container gives us the space to gently build awareness, experiment with new ways of relating, and feel the encouragement of a consistent group. This pacing allows for moments of insight and also time for things to settle and integrate, so by the end of the course you have a strong foundation to continue practicing healthier, more authentic ways of being.

  • You can secure your place by booking through the “Book Now” link on the course page, which will take you to the payment page. Once your booking is complete, you’ll receive an email confirming your place. Within 48 hours, I will send you a welcome email and one week before the course begins you will receive a further email with all the details you need to prepare for our first session.

  • Please ensure you can commit to the course before booking, as places are limited and no refunds are available once payment has been made. If you find you are no longer able to attend after booking, you are welcome to transfer your place to someone else, provided they are a good fit for the group and this has been agreed in advance.

Book Now

Some kind words from participants from previous courses:

“A truly powerful and transformational course. It was a beautiful journey inwards. Each week I grew the courage to be with myself more. The support from Emer and the other women in the group was a wonderful experience.” (LOC)

“I found it was an incredibly safe space from the beginning. Emer made the content accessible and digestible, which blended the psychology perfectly with the holistic practices. The blend of practice and space holding resonated with me in a way that I hadn’t experienced before and allowed me to start a journey of shedding years of shame and self-criticism. I’ve really enjoyed coming home to myself” (AJW)

“ Emer is an amazing facilitator, warm and generous. She creates a safe space to explore somatic practices and to learn to self-regulate. Highly recommend!” (MMG) 

“Magical, safe and accepting. Patient. Forgiving. Fortifying and inspiring. A reawakening” (RC)

“Emer is an exceptional facilitator, so warm, calm and compassionate. She walks what she is teaching as you can see she has done the work. An inspiration to anyone doing her courses.” (OOM)

“A gentle and empowering experience with a lovely blend of insightful theory and nourishing embodiment practices.” (LD)

“Very educational, empowering, nourishing, beautiful space – a time to connect with myself. I found it really nurturing to listen to other’s process and it felt really safe to have my experience witnessed by others. A really thoughtful and thorough course – I loved the beautiful meditations, somatic practices, excellent handouts, beautiful artwork, poetry and music.” (LR)

“This course was exactly what I needed. After a lot of talk therapy, I hadn’t acknowledged how much I had overlooked the “felt” experience. This course has given me a path home.” (DP)

“The course was so authentic and had the perfect blend of information, connection and practices. The space Emer has created is so calm and safe” (LF)

“Emer, you have a lovely gentle and warm manner, a hypnotic voice – you let people be themselves without trying to solve anyone’s problems and provide a safe environment for people to be open. The whole experience felt very safe and held.” (BB) 

“Beautifully rounded. Just the right mix of theory, practices and sharings. Many, many takeaways and light bulb moments, Such a lovely, welcoming space” (EF)

“I loved the combination of the teachings, the practices and incorporating everyone’s individual experience….I’ve never felt as nourished and empowered in my life before. Even though I feel I have a long journey ahead of me I am on it now and feel so grateful to have had this amazing, truly unique experience.” (LB)