Therapy for Burnout, People-Pleasing, Perfectionism, and Codependency

Offering in-person therapy in Danville, CA, and virtual therapy throughout California and Hawaii.

Portrait of a woman, Dr. Erin McKnew, PsyD, with long blonde hair, smiling, wearing a dark green sweater, standing against a plain light-colored background.

I’m Dr. Erin McKnew, PsyD, a Clinical Psychologist in Danville, California with 18 years of experience.

You work tirelessly to juggle life’s demands, but who’s taking care of you?

You might look like you have it all together, yet inside feel anxious, overwhelmed, depressed, or weighed down by self-doubt. Maybe your relationships feel strained, or you’re stuck in patterns that leave you exhausted and unseen. Even when you’re surrounded by people or have a full life on paper, you may carry a quiet sense of loneliness. You go out of your way to avoid burdening the people you care about.

The strategies that once helped you cope like staying busy, being dependable, doing things just right, or taking care of everyone, now leave you depleted.

Many of my clients say they had a “good childhood,” yet patterns like people-pleasing, perfectionism, overgiving, and codependency often take root in families where feelings were unpredictable, minimized, or quietly dismissed. You may have grown up with alcoholic, narcissistic, or emotionally immature parents. Maybe you experienced chronic conflict, abuse, or pressure to be responsible far too young. You adapted by tuning in to everyone else and tuning yourself out. Those adaptations were necessary then, but take a real toll today.

I specialize in therapy for burnout, people-pleasing, perfectionism, and codependency in California and Hawaii. Together, we’ll explore how these patterns developed and their impact on you now. We’ll work through any underlying wounds you’re ready to address, while also strengthening how you navigate stress, relationships, and your own needs today.

Take 20 minutes and find out how I can help. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today.

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What Sets My Approach Apart

Grounded and Practical

I skip the jargon and focus on what’s actually helpful. You’ll get clear reflections, honest feedback, and strategies you can use in real life, not just in the therapy room.

Warmth and Humor

Therapy can be meaningful without feeling heavy every second. I bring warmth, a bit of humor, and a relatable style so the work feels engaging rather than overwhelming.

Attachment and Early Patterns

We’ll unpack the patterns you learned early and their impact on your life now. Then we’ll work to create change that helps you feel more connected, grounded, and effective.

Areas of Specialization

“You don’t have to set yourself on fire to keep others warm.”


—Dr. Thema Bryant

You take care of everything. Let’s make sure you’re taken care of too.

Schedule your free 20-minute consultation and start reconnecting with yourself today.

Book Your Free Consult

If you are experiencing a life threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest ER

If you are not in danger, but need immediate support, call 988, a mental health crisis hotline