Holistic online therapy for High Achievers and perfectionists in Hermosa Beach & throughout ca
Therapy for High Achievers & Perfectionists
You want therapy that understands the nervous system, anxiety, and burnout without pathologizing your drive, ambition, or intelligence.
You’ve reached a level of accomplishment that you’re proud of, but you still feel unsettled. You thought you’d feel more secure by now. These analytical and perfectionist parts of you have gotten you to where you are, and now it’s time to shift into a new way of operating.
You can keep your ambition and let go of the pressure
Rest feels lazy, or you can’t relax without a to-do list running in the back of your head.
You redo things, overthink them, or put them off until they feel perfect.
A win barely registers because you’re already on to the next thing.
You’re harder on yourself than you’d ever be on a friend.
Your mind won’t switch off, even when you’re exhausted.
You know you’re burned out, but you can’t picture slowing down.
A small mistake or a bit of criticism stays with you for days.
People think you have it all together, and you don’t feel like you can tell them how tired or anxious you really are.
You worry that if you stop pushing, you’ll lose your edge, or people will see you’re not as capable as they think.
What will happen if I stop striving for perfection? Will I accomplish anything without it?
You’ll discover that you are more than enough just as you are, and you’ll feel more freedom and peace without the constant pressure to be perfect. You may even find you have more energy to pursue your passions when you’re no longer worrying about a perfect final product.
Why perfectionism sticks
It's your mind’s way of trying to ensure you do your best and avoid failure. It pushes you to aim high, do things well, and not make mistakes. On the surface, it might feel like it’s helping you succeed, keeping you on track, and motivating you to reach your goals. But, in reality, it can make everything feel like a high-stakes game where the fear of not measuring up can leave you stuck in constant stress and self-criticism. It’s what I refer to as the tight-rope walk of perfectionism.
The negative impacts of perfectionism are significant. It can lead to burnout, anxiety, and a constant sense of dissatisfaction because you're never truly able to feel “good enough.” You might find yourself avoiding tasks or procrastinating because the pressure to do everything flawlessly feels overwhelming.
Perfectionism can also hurt relationships, as you may be overly critical of both yourself and others, expecting unrealistic standards from both. All of this can leave you feeling exhausted, disconnected, and frustrated, even when you achieve what you set out to do.
How I work
You can understand your perfectionism completely and still feel it in your chest at 2 a.m. That’s why I combine talk therapy with somatic, or body-based, work. We’ll look at where the pressure comes from, and we’ll also practice noticing what happens in your body when it hits and how to settle it.
Over time, most people find mistakes feel less like a threat, they can celebrate progress without waiting for perfect, they have more energy for the things they care about, and they can bounce back from critiques faster.
Embrace progress, let go of perfection, and enjoy the ride!
Therapy for perfectionism can help you:
Shift your focus from flawless results to the small steps you take each day, celebrating your growth along the way.
Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities, knowing they’re part of the process and lead to improvement.
Set realistic goals and break them into manageable tasks, making progress feel more achievable and less overwhelming.
Practice self-compassion, acknowledging your efforts and reminding yourself that you're doing your best.
FAQ
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It focuses on understanding where the pressure comes from, noticing what happens in your body when it hits, and practicing new ways to respond. With me, that includes somatic (body-based) work, not just talking.
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No, perfectionism isn’t a diagnosis on its own. It often shows up alongside anxiety, burnout, and overthinking, and therapy can help with all of those.
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Most people worry about this. You keep your ambition and your high standards. What eases is the constant self-criticism and pressure, which usually leaves you with more energy for the things you care about.
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High achievers set big goals and feel good when they meet them. Perfectionists feel like nothing is ever good enough, and a fear of mistakes drives them. Many people are a bit of both.
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Yes. We’ll look at what’s driving the overworking, and we’ll also work with your body’s stress response, so you can slow down without feeling like you’re falling behind.
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Somatic therapy works with the body as well as thoughts and emotions. You can understand your perfectionism completely and still feel it in your chest or stomach, so working with the body helps the change stick.
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Yes. I see clients online anywhere in California, including Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, San Diego, and San Francisco.
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We’ll start with a free 20-minute phone call to see if we’re a good fit. Then you’ll fill out intake forms, and we’ll meet weekly online.
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High standards help you do good work and feel satisfied when you meet them. Perfectionism feels different. Nothing is ever good enough, mistakes feel like a threat, and you’re driven more by fear of falling short than by what you want. If your standards leave you anxious, exhausted, or putting things off, it’s worth looking at.
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Yes. Ongoing pressure and self-criticism can show up physically, such as tension, trouble sleeping, or feeling constantly wound up. This is a big reason I work with the body as well as thoughts and feelings. If you have physical symptoms, it’s also worth checking in with your doctor.
Ready to get started?
I’m here to walk you through the process. It’s easier than you think! We’ll schedule a 20 minute phone call to make sure we’re a good fit, you’ll fill out your intake forms, and we’ll start meeting weekly!
Prefer a different format? I also offer intensives, which are longer, focused sessions over a few days. They are offered in both virtual and in-person formats. Learn more about intensives here.