Perfectionism

If you hold yourself to standards no one else would expect of you, if “good enough” never quite feels like enough, or if the fear of falling short shapes most of your decisions, you may be living with perfectionism. It can look like high achievement from the outside, while feeling like exhaustion, anxiety, or self-criticism on the inside.

Perfectionism often develops for good reasons. It may have kept you safe, kept you achieving, or kept you feeling in control at some point in your life. But over time, it can become a heavy way to live, one that leaves little room for rest, mistakes, or self-compassion.

Together, we can work on:

• Understanding where your perfectionism comes from and what it’s protecting you from
• Loosening the grip of self-criticism and all-or-nothing thinking
• Learning to tolerate mistakes and uncertainty without spiraling
• Setting standards that are sustainable rather than punishing
• Building a sense of self-worth that isn’t dependent on achievement

Perfectionism shows up in parents managing impossible standards for themselves, in teens afraid to disappoint, and in adults navigating career or relationship pressure. Wherever it shows up for you, therapy can help you build a healthier, more compassionate relationship with yourself. I offer sessions in person in Berkeley and Oakland, and via telehealth to clients throughout California.

Ready to talk? Schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation or call 916-905-0317.