Common Symptoms of Perfectionism and How Therapy Can Help
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Do These Patterns Sound Familiar?
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If you find yourself experiencing several of the following on a consistent basis, therapy for perfectionism may be the right support for you:
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Being highly critical of yourself and others
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Feeling judgmental when failure occurs
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Setting goals that feel unreachable or unattainable
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Fear of not meeting your goals
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Feeling like a failure when expectations aren’t met
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Dreading failure
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Accepting nothing less than perfection
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Harshly criticizing yourself when standards fall short
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Regular procrastination or putting tasks off until the last minute
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Becoming immobilized or unable to act
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Avoiding situations where you might be imperfect
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Difficulty receiving constructive criticism
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Persistent self-criticism
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Low self-esteem
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Struggling to relax
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Being controlling in personal or work relationships
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Obsessing over rules, lists, or work details
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Frequently spotting mistakes
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Needing order and structure to focus
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Difficulty making decisions, or being overly decisive
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Reluctance to delegate tasks because it’s “easier to do it yourself”
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Feeling a strong need to “make things right” to avoid wasting time
Why Perfectionism Often Goes Unnoticed
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Many perfectionists aren’t fully aware of these patterns—they may view them as high standards, responsibility, or simply "doing things right." While these traits can lead to success, they often come with hidden costs:
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Heightened stress and anxiety
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Difficulty relaxing or being present
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Strained relationships
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Lack of self-compassion
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Rigid thinking and behaviors
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How I Support Women Struggling with Perfectionism
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I specialize in working with women navigating the emotional toll and life limitations perfectionism can create. Therapy provides a compassionate space to explore these patterns without judgment and to start creating healthier ways of relating to yourself and others.
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My Integrative, Evidence-Based Approach
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As an integrative therapist, I tailor your treatment using multiple evidence-based approaches, including:
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
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Psychoeducation
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Holistic Therapy
Whole-Person Healing, Rooted in Experience
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With over 10 years of clinical experience, I take a whole-person approach—honoring the full scope of your experiences, personality, and values. Together, we’ll work toward a more balanced and fulfilling life where high standards don’t come at the cost of your mental health.
Perfectionism Therapy for Women in Minnesota
Harness Your Strengths, Find Balance, and Overcome the Exhaustion of Perfectionism
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You hold yourself—and others—to very high standards. You have a clear method for completing tasks, and it frustrates you when there isn’t enough time or energy to finish everything, or when others don’t meet your expectations. You often spend excessive time perfecting your work, sometimes sacrificing sleep, relationships, and personal time in the process. Yet, on the other hand, you might procrastinate or avoid tasks altogether because you worry the outcome won’t be perfect or “good enough.” You notice mistakes easily, are extremely hard on yourself, and struggle to truly relax.
Being a perfectionist used to feel like a strength, but now it often leaves you feeling frustrated, stuck, and never quite satisfied.
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I get it—and I’m here to help.
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Perfectionism isn’t all bad—in fact, it can be your superpower. Together, we can explore how to harness that strength in a way that brings balance and control to your life, freeing you from the exhaustion and irritation that perfectionism sometimes brings.
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If you’re ready to learn more or would like to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we're a good fit, I’d love to connect with you! Click the link below to get in touch.
Evidenced-Based Approaches for Managing Perfectionism​
Helping You Navigate Perfectionism with Evidence-Based Support
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Perfectionism can be exhausting—constantly striving to meet high expectations, fearing mistakes, and feeling like you're never quite good enough. While being driven and goal-oriented can be strengths, they can also lead to burnout, anxiety, and self-doubt when left unchecked.
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That’s where evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) come in. I use these approaches to help high-achieving women find balance, build self-compassion, and begin living with more freedom and ease.
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How CBT & ACT Can Help
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These therapeutic models are designed to support you in:
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Understanding the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors
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Identifying patterns that keep you stuck in cycles of overthinking, avoidance, or harsh self-criticism
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Learning practical tools to manage stress, perfectionism, and anxiety in everyday situations
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Building more flexibility in how you respond to challenges or setbacks
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Creating space for self-compassion without letting go of your goals
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Whether you're struggling with procrastination, constant worry, or feeling like you're not measuring up, these approaches offer structure, insight, and strategies to help you regain a sense of control.
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What Therapy Looks Like
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In our sessions, I’ll tailor a blend of CBT and ACT techniques to your specific needs and goals. Together, we’ll focus on:
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Noticing and challenging perfectionistic thought patterns
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Developing a healthier relationship with your inner critic
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Making room for emotions instead of avoiding or suppressing them
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Taking action that aligns with your values—even when fear or uncertainty shows up
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The goal isn’t to eliminate uncomfortable emotions altogether—but to help you respond to them with more clarity, compassion, and confidence.​​
Want to Learn More About Perfectionism?
Explore my blog for insights on perfectionism, including how to overcome perfectionistic tendencies, manage unrealistic expectations, and develop healthier habits. Learn practical strategies to break free from the cycle of perfectionism and cultivate self-compassion. Whether you’re looking to better understand perfectionism or seeking actionable tips to reduce its impact on your life, my articles provide valuable resources to help you find balance and embrace progress over perfection.
