Perfectionism therapists in Palm Springs, California CA
We are proud to feature top rated Perfectionism therapists in Palm Springs. We encourage you to review each profile to find your best match.
Perfectionism
Mia Turner
Therapist, MA, RYT, ASDCS, LMFT, NPT-C, CMNCS, CMIP
Perfectionism is often less about striving for excellence and more about seeking safety, belonging, predictability, acceptance, or protection. It can develop in response to trauma, marginalization, giftedness, neurodivergence, family expectations, racism, ableism, cultural pressures, high-achievement environments, or experiences where mistakes felt costly and being "good enough" never quite felt good enough.
What is often labeled as perfectionism may also reflect a nervous system that learned to stay vigilant, perform, overprepare, overachieve, self-monitor, mask, or anticipate problems in order to avoid criticism, rejection, disappointment, conflict, shame, or harm. For many people, perfectionism becomes intertwined with identity, self-worth, productivity, competence, and the belief that value must be earned rather than inherently possessed. It may show up as chronic self-criticism, difficulty resting, procrastination, overthinking, people-pleasing, hyper-independence, fear of failure, fear of success, difficulty making decisions, or feeling as though there is always more that should be done.
This work explores the protective role perfectionism has played throughout your life while examining the ways it may be impacting relationships, wellbeing, creativity, joy, authenticity, and connection with yourself. Particular attention is given to the influence of family systems, culture, gender, neurodivergence, trauma, and the internalized narratives that shape how you relate to achievement, mistakes, success, failure, worthiness, and belonging.
My approach is grounded in the belief that perfectionism is often an adaptive survival strategy rather than a personal flaw. Rather than attempting to simply eliminate perfectionistic tendencies, we become curious about what those parts are protecting, what they fear might happen if they loosened their grip, and what needs may exist beneath the pressure to perform. Using EMDR, somatic therapy, mindfulness, polyvagal-informed practices, parts work, neuropsychotherapy, expressive arts, attachment-focused approaches, and liberation-oriented healing, therapy supports developing a more compassionate relationship with the parts of yourself that learned to equate achievement with safety.
Attention is also given to the ways perfectionism lives in the body and nervous system. This may include chronic tension, difficulty slowing down, overactivation, self-monitoring, exhaustion, difficulty experiencing satisfaction, or feeling unable to rest without guilt. Through greater awareness of sensation, emotion, nervous system states, and embodied experience, space is created for increased flexibility, self-trust, self-compassion, and choice.
The goal is not to stop caring, striving, creating, achieving, or growing. It is to cultivate a relationship with yourself that is not dependent upon performance, productivity, approval, or getting everything right. Often, the work involves reclaiming authenticity, playfulness, creativity, rest, joy, pace, and the internal permission to be fully human rather than a constant self-improvement project.
10 Years Experience
Online in Palm Springs, CA California (Online Only)
Perfectionism
Tara McGrath
Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT
You may not identify as a "perfectionist" because you're not doing things perfectly. In reality, people who struggle with perfectionism feel like they're never performing well enough, and they can always find the flaws in everything they do. These tendencies can also with correlate with procrastination. I work with people to improve their self-compassion and self-worth to allow for excellence instead of unrealistic perfection.
23 Years Experience
Online in Palm Springs, CA California
Perfectionism
Layla Ashley Psychotherapy
Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT
Perfectionism can create constant pressure to perform or appear flawless. In sessions, we explore how to shift rigid expectations, and cultivate a healthier relationship with achievement and self-worth.
23 Years Experience
Online in Palm Springs, CA California
Perfectionism
Amy @ Inner Nature Therapy
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, PMH-C
Perfectionism is the thief of joy! As a recovering perfectionist myself, I will be kind but honest with you when I notice perfectionism creeping in to your thinking and self-image. By gently rooting it out, I can support you towards accepting things as they are while remaining confident in yourself and motivated to make positive changes.
13 Years Experience
Online in Palm Springs, CA California (Online Only)
Perfectionism
Sandy Kong
Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT 119380
Therapy for perfectionism focuses on reducing rigid, unrealistic standards, and alleviating associated anxiety, depression, or burnout. Perfectionism is seen as a trauma response. Trauma has shaped someone's life into believing that they have to be "perfect" in order to be "loveable" or "worthy". The most effective approach is generally learning how to identify and challenge distorted beliefs; changing your relationship with perfectionistic thoughts and focusing on values over flawlessness; exploring early life experiences and deep-rooted causes behind the need for control; develop
mindfulness-based approaches to help manage anxiety by staying present, reducing the need for constant, perfect self-presentation; and cultivating kindness toward oneself, especially when facing imperfections or failures.
11 Years Experience
Online in Palm Springs, CA California
Perfectionism therapists in Palm Springs, California Statistics
Perfectionism therapists in Palm Springs, California average 14 years of experience and charge around $203 per session. 100% offer online sessions. The top treatment approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (82%), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) (50%), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) (45%).
Average years in practice
14 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$203
Accept insurance
47%
Offer sliding scale
39%
Gender ID
| 69% |
Female |
|
| 20% |
Male |
|
| 7% |
Non-Binary |
|
| 4% |
Gender Fluid |
|
Session Type
| 50% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 50% |
Online Only |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 82% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 50% | Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) |
| 45% | Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) |
| 45% | Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) |
| 42% | Somatic Therapy |
| 42% | Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) |
| 42% | Psychodynamic Therapy |
Ages Served
| 97% | Adult |
| 76% | Young Adult |
| 63% | Senior |
| 47% | Teen |
| 18% | Children |
Client Focus
| 68% | Women |
| 58% | LGBTQ+ |
| 39% | Hispanic / Latino |
| 39% | Men |
| 39% | Persons with Disabilities |