Let go of the pressure to be everything to everyone — and finally breathe.

You’ve always held yourself to high standards and strive for self-improvement — and maybe that’s gotten you far. While striving for self-improvement can be a strength, but lately, it’s less about excellence and more about fear. Fear of falling short and “not enough.”

Perfectionism often hides behind achievement. From the outside, it looks like you have it together. But inside, it’s exhausting — the pressure, the overthinking, the never feeling quite “done.”

Sound familiar?

• You overthink decisions, big or small - due to fear of making a mistake

• You avoid an activity or scenario where there is a potential for failure, such as a job interview or an exam. You see anything less than perfect as a failure.

• You have difficulty delegating because you believe others won’t do it “right” or well enough

• You feel anxious when things aren’t done “just right” and chronically feel “its not good enough”.

• You rewrite texts and emails multiple times before hitting send

• Criticism feels personal — even when it’s not

• You work twice as hard so no one sees the cracks which can leads to chronic fatigue

• Achievements feel hollow because there’s always “something more” to do

Why Perfectionism Shows Up

Perfectionism isn’t just about wanting things done well — it’s often about safety. Somewhere along the way, you learned that being flawless kept you from being judged, hurt, or left behind.

But the truth? Perfection is impossible. And chasing it only pulls you further away from feeling secure, present, and connected to yourself.

What We Work on in Therapy

Together, we’ll gently unpack:

• Where these patterns came from — and how they protected you

• How perfectionism may be masking deeper self-doubt or anxiety

• Tools to challenge unhelpful thoughts, such as all-or-nothing thinking ("If it’s not perfect, it’s a failure")

• How to redefine success (hint: it’s not in being “the best”)

• Ways to embrace flexibility, rest, and self-compassion — without guilt

Therapy talk: evidence-based modalities

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Helps you recognize and reframe the perfectionistic thoughts that drive pressure and self-criticism — like “If I make a mistake, I’ve failed.” CBT supports you in identifying rigid thinking patterns, reducing all-or-nothing beliefs, and developing more balanced ways of evaluating yourself and your efforts. Over time, it helps you replace constant self-monitoring with self-compassion and realistic expectations.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Encourages you to make space for imperfection and discomfort rather than fighting it. ACT helps you notice the internal critic without letting it define your worth, guiding you to connect with your deeper values — presence, authenticity, and connection — instead of performance or approval. It supports you in moving from striving for perfect to living with purpose, even when things feel uncertain.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Addresses the deeper roots of perfectionism that often stem from past experiences of criticism, shame, or conditional approval. EMDR helps you reprocess these memories and release the belief that you must achieve or please to be safe or valued. As these emotional patterns soften, you can experience a calmer nervous system, a kinder inner voice, and a more genuine sense of self-worth — one that isn’t dependent on doing everything right.

Therapy won’t make you care less — it’ll help you care differently.

From fear-based striving to values-based living. You don’t have to earn your worth. Therapy can help you step off the hamster wheel and reconnect with who you are — not just what you produce.