About the Author
Meg Josephson, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, licensed clinical social worker, author and meditator based in California. She holds a Master’s of Social Work from Columbia University and is a certified meditation teacher through the Nalanda Institute. In her private practice, Josephson approaches therapy through a mindfulness-based, compassion-focused, trauma-informed lens. She shares accessible insights via her social media platforms, reaching over 500,000 followers, with an integrative focus that incorporates the mind, body and soul and supports people in their healing journey to return back to themselves.
She is also the author of the forthcoming book Are You Mad at Me?: How to Stop Focusing on What Others Think and Start Living for You (August 5, 2025). In this groundbreaking book, Josephson shows readers that people-pleasing is not a personality trait, but rather a common survival mechanism known as “fawning”. Fawning is an instinct often learned in childhood to become more appealing to a perceived threat in order to feel safe. Yet many people are stuck in this way of being for their whole lives.
In her lectures and workshops, Josephson breaks down how to identify “fawning” behavior, which is one of the least known, yet most commonly experienced trauma responses. By deftly weaving together her own personal experiences, case studies, and clinical expertise, Josephson explains how this behavior can present itself in many ways, from our personal lives to our professional lives. She offers actionable advice and thought-provoking exercises to help her audiences shed the behaviors that are keeping them stuck in the past so that they can live in their most authentic present.
Raves and Reviews
This book offers a cure for chronic people pleasing. If you’ve ever compromised your principles to gain another person’s approval, Meg Josephson is here to help with revealing insight and sage advice.”
– Adam Grant, author of Think Again
Was Are You Mad at Me? written especially for me? It sure felt like it. For all the people-pleasers, peacekeepers, and fawners out there: Read this book now. My copy is already well-thumbed and heavily underlined–and, no, you can’t borrow it! The book, brimming with wisdom and humanity, helped me change my relationship with myself by understanding the patterns of the past that I was still living out today. Thank you, Meg, for freeing me from so much I had buried. It is no overestimation to say that this book is a gamechanger.”
– Susannah Cahalan, author of Brain on Fire
Hallelujah—at last, salvation for all of us who’ve ever agonized over an awkward text exchange, wondered if we embarrassed ourselves at a party, or become convinced that a friendship cooling meant we’d unwittingly committed some grave sin. Meg Josephson’s instant self-help classic is wise, actionable, and could change your life.”
– Ada Calhoun, author of Why We Can’t Sleep
Meg Josephson has given the world a huge gift in Are You Mad at Me? For all of us who’ve spent our lives feeling like we were in trouble—with friends, bosses, spouses, children, everyone—this book offers explanations, comfort, and best of all, solutions. I’m grateful this book exists because I needed Josephson’s gentle wisdom and empowering message now more than ever.”
– Christie Tate, author of Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life
I can count on one hand the number of books that have settled my nervous system within the first three pages of reading. It’s so rare to be able to say: I needed this book, me too, thank you.”
– Holly Whitaker, author of Quit Like a Woman
Are You Mad at Me? unlocks a secret door in the house of healing: understanding the fawn response. Honest, relatable, and totally binge-worthy, Josephson’s work has the power to change your entire life. If you struggle with that screensaver type of anxiety that’s always on—constantly worrying that you’re doing something wrong or that people don’t like you—this book will feel like coming up for air. Read it and get free.”
– Katherine Morgan Schafler, author of The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control
Psychotherapist Josephson debuts with a cogent exploration of the least-known yet ‘arguably most common’ threat response: fawning…. Josephson’s lucid prose and smart mix of clinical expertise, personal disclosure, and pertinent case studies makes for a uniquely actionable resource. She also provides an insightful look at the cultural factors that influence fawning…Recovering people pleasers will find plenty to chew on.”
– Publishers Weekly
