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Perfectionism therapists in California

We are proud to feature top rated Perfectionism therapists in California. We encourage you to review each profile to find your best match.
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Los Angeles, California therapist: Mia Turner, therapist
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.  
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10 Years Experience
Online in California (Online Only)
Los Angeles, California therapist: David Sudyka, marriage and family therapist
Perfectionism

David Sudyka

Marriage and Family Therapist, Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, MA
Perfectionism can create constant pressure to get everything right, often leading to stress, procrastination, or feeling like nothing is ever good enough. It can be hard to relax or feel satisfied with what you accomplish. In therapy we will work on understanding where these patterns come from and how to shift them into something more balanced. The goal is to help you feel more flexible, more self accepting, and less weighed down by expectations.  
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4 Years Experience
Online in California (Online Only)
Newport Beach, California therapist: Romina Schnelle, marriage and family therapist
Perfectionism

Romina Schnelle

Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT
Perfectionism can leave you feeling like nothing you do is ever good enough, despite your accomplishments. It often fuels anxiety, self-criticism, procrastination, burnout, and a constant fear of making mistakes or disappointing others. Together, we'll explore the underlying beliefs and experiences that contribute to these patterns while developing healthier ways to approach success, setbacks, and self-worth. My goal is to help you build greater self-compassion, flexibility, and confidence so you can pursue your goals without being held back by perfectionism.  
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6 Years Experience
Online in California (Online Only)
Arcadia, California therapist: G. Roman Gupta, LCSW, therapist
Perfectionism

G. Roman Gupta, LCSW

Therapist, LCSW
I have been practicing for almost 20 years and I have a strength-based, trauma-informed, culturally aware, LGBTQ+ affirmative, sex positive, kink positive, poly affirming, feminist perspective. I have trained and practiced in a variety of treatment methods that offer us a variety of ways to meet your goals whether as an individual, couple, or family.  
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18 Years Experience
In-Person in Arcadia, CA 91006
In-Person in Los Angeles, CA 90068
Online in California
Santa Monica, California therapist: Tracey Kiernan, marriage and family therapist
Perfectionism

Tracey Kiernan

Marriage and Family Therapist, MA, AMFT
Perfectionism often looks like success on the outside but feels exhausting internally. I help you understand the drivers behind it and shift toward a more sustainable, self-supportive way of functioning.  
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2 Years Experience
In-Person in Santa Monica, CA 90405
Online in California

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