Perfectionism can be a double-edged sword.

While your high standards and overachieving tendencies likely played a role in your success, they may also contribute to chronic stress, overwhelm, anxiety, depression, and disconnection from both yourself and the relationships you desire.

The perfectionistic mindset often acts as a shield against painful emotions like shame, criticism, and rejection. It creates a false sense of control, convincing you that flawlessness is the key to avoiding disappointment, disapproval, and feelings of inadequacy. However, in reality, perfection is unattainable, and many aspects of life, including others' opinions, are beyond your control. The cycle of pursuing the unattainable can leave you exhausted and overwhelmed, often with a loud, harsh inner critic taking up space in your mind. All the while, outsiders may see you as a success, unaware of the inner turmoil you're enduring.

In therapy, I provide a nonjudgmental and empathetic space for us to explore your past experiences. Together, we'll approach this exploration with compassion, understanding how your perfectionistic strategies have both served and hindered you. Then, we’ll shift to the present, bringing awareness to how perfectionism manifests in various aspects of your life and developing new approaches to challenges that historically triggered perfectionism.

We’ll work together to help you tune into your inner self, fostering self-compassion and developing fresh ways to navigate life's challenges that feel less overwhelming and more aligned with the person you aspire to be in the world.