Assertiveness and Boundaries Therapist in Venice
Speak Your Truth. Honor Your Needs. Create Healthier Relationships.
In our therapy sessions, you will learn how to:
• Identify your needs, values, and limits
• Say “no” with confidence and without apology
• Navigate difficult conversations and conflict
• Stop people-pleasing and over-explaining
• Respond to guilt, pushback, or manipulation
• Set boundaries in personal and professional relationships
• Rebuild self-trust through clear, consistent communication
If you’ve ever said “yes” when you meant “no,” avoided conflict to keep the peace, or felt guilty for expressing your needs—you’re not alone. Many people struggle with assertiveness and boundaries, especially when they were raised to prioritize others or fear rejection, judgment, or confrontation.
As a licensed psychotherapist and former medial doctor, I help individuals build the confidence and clarity they need to communicate their needs without guilt and set boundaries without shutting others out. Assertiveness is not aggression—it’s the ability to honor yourself and your relationships with honesty and respect.
Strong boundaries aren’t walls—they’re bridges to more authentic connection. And assertiveness isn’t selfish—it’s self-respecting. Let’s help you find your voice—and use it with strength, clarity, and care.
I provide therapy in Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Venice, Marina Del Rey, Culver City, Mar Vista, Playa Del Rey, West Los Angeles, Pacific Palisades, Palms, and Santa Monica.
Struggling to say no without guilt? Unsure how to ask for what you need? An Assertiveness and Boundaries Therapist can help you build the confidence and clarity to communicate your needs without fear or shame. At Steven Kilmann, LMFT, we offer focused Assertiveness and Boundaries Therapy that empowers you to speak up and protect your emotional space, while staying grounded and connected in your relationships.
Many people were never taught how to set boundaries or express themselves clearly. Whether it’s in your personal, professional, or romantic life, unclear boundaries often lead to resentment, anxiety, or emotional burnout. Therapy can change that. With expert guidance, you’ll learn practical ways to establish healthy limits and speak with confidence, even in tough conversations.
This page will explore the benefits of Assertiveness and Boundaries Therapy in Venice Beach, who it's right for, and what to expect in sessions with Steven Kilmann, LMFT—so you can decide if this approach aligns with what you’re looking for.
Who Needs Assertiveness and Boundaries Therapy?
If you find yourself:
Saying “yes” when you want to say “no”
Avoiding confrontation at any cost
Feeling emotionally drained after interactions
Struggling to stand up for yourself at work or in relationships
Feeling responsible for other people’s feelings
Then working with an Assertiveness and Boundaries Therapist in Venice Beach may be a turning point.
This type of therapy is especially helpful for:
People Pleasers – You want to make others happy, but it comes at the expense of your well-being.
Highly Sensitive Individuals – You pick up on others’ emotions easily and feel responsible for managing them.
Those in Codependent Relationships – Your sense of self is tied to someone else’s approval or needs.
Professionals Facing Burnout – You’re overextended, undervalued, and unsure how to say “enough.”
Neurodivergent Adults – Especially those who struggle with interpersonal boundaries or social expectations.
Benefits of Working With an Assertiveness and Boundaries Therapist in Venice
Clients often come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, passive, or resentful. Through structured sessions, you can learn how to:
Set healthy limits without guilt
Express your needs clearly and calmly
Build emotional resilience
Avoid people-pleasing traps
Reduce anxiety around confrontation
Create relationships built on respect and balance
Therapy isn’t about becoming aggressive. It’s about learning that your needs matter just as much as anyone else’s—and having the skills to protect them.
What Happens in Assertiveness and Boundaries Therapy in Venice?
At Steven Kilmann, LMFT, therapy sessions focus on practical tools and emotional growth.
Here’s what you can expect:
Session 1: Identify patterns where you feel overrun or overlooked
Session 2–5: Learn to recognize your limits, clarify your values, and communicate needs
Ongoing: Role-play difficult conversations, practice setting boundaries, process any emotional reactions
You’ll also explore how past experiences shaped your current habits around communication. Many clients link people-pleasing tendencies to childhood dynamics, trauma, or cultural messages.
Throughout the process, you’ll receive steady support and honest feedback, creating a safe space to experiment and grow.
Why Choose Steven Kilmann, LMFT, for Assertiveness Therapy?
Steven Kilmann, LMFT, has supported clients across Venice Beach who want more clarity, confidence, and emotional freedom. With decades of experience, his approach blends compassion with accountability. Clients describe his style as “direct, grounded, and emotionally safe.”
As a licensed therapist, Steven works with individuals who want real change, not just surface-level coping. Whether you’re looking for Assertiveness and Boundaries Therapy in Venice Beach or you’re unsure where to start, you’ll find the tools and support to move forward.
Real Client Outcomes
Here’s what clients say after working with Steven:
“I can finally say ‘no’ without feeling like I’m a bad person.”
“I stopped overexplaining myself. I didn’t realize how exhausting that was.”
“I used to avoid hard conversations. Now I feel calm during them.”
(Verified reviews from Google and Psychology Today.)
Related Services and Next Steps
Assertiveness and boundaries often overlap with trauma, addiction, or grief. If you’re also navigating those issues, you may benefit from reading about related services like neurodivergent therapy or grief therapy in Venice.
All sessions are private, one-on-one, and available in person in Venice or virtually across California.
Summary: What Makes Assertiveness Therapy Worth It?
Learn to stand up for yourself without guilt
Improve communication in every relationship
Stop burnout, anxiety, and people-pleasing at the root
Get support from an experienced Venice-based therapist who gets it
If you’re ready to stop living in silence and start building boundaries that stick, therapy with Steven Kilmann, LMFT, can help.
