Psychotherapist Meg Josephson addresses and unpicks the 'fawning' response

We are all familiar with the phrase 'fight or flight,' but there is another, lesser-known survival technique that pervades society but often goes unchecked: the 'fawn' response.

Often referred to as 'people-pleasing,' 'fawing' is a common way to get what we think we want and need from a situation. However, this approach can have detrimental long-term effects.

In her 2025 book, Are You Mad at Me?, psychotherapist Meg Josephson explains the fawn response and shares practical tools for recognizing and addressing it.

Using her own experience and client testimonies, Josephson provides a usable guide to becoming more in tune with our own needs.