Perfectionism therapists in Kinston, NC
Browse Perfectionism therapists in Kinston, North Carolina. Compare credentials, specialties and therapeutic approach. Contact a therapist to learn more.
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Perfectionism
Dr. Christopher Lowery, DHSc, CLCP
Clinical Health Practitioner, Board-Certified Life Care Planner
This component assist with the management of self-criticism, reduce anxiety, and develop healthier standards, self-compassion, and balanced coping strategies.
24 Years Experience
Online in Kinston, NC
Perfectionism
Emily Stone
Marriage and Family Therapist, MA, MDiv, PhD, LMFT-S
Perfectionism: The High Cost of Being "Flawless"
Moving from Performance to Presence
Perfectionism is often rewarded by society, but internally, it can feel like a relentless taskmaster. It is the persistent whisper that says you are only as good as your last achievement, leading to a life of high-functioning burnout and a profound disconnection from your true self. In my practice, we don’t just "lower your standards"; we investigate the attachment roots of why "being perfect" became your primary strategy for safety and belonging.
The Perfectionist’s Paradox
Perfectionism isn't actually about excellence—it’s about protection. We work together to untangle:
The Procrastination Loop: Addressing the "all-or-nothing" thinking that leads to demand avoidance and paralyzing anxiety when a task feels too important to start.
Rejection Sensitivity: Understanding how the fear of a "flaw" is actually a fear of disconnection. If you aren't perfect, will you still be worthy of love and respect?
The "Shame-Vigilance" Cycle: The exhausting effort of "masking" your struggles to maintain a composed exterior, leading to a systemic shut down.
A Systems-Rooted Clinical Approach
With over 20 years of experience, I use a deep-reaching framework to help you trade "perfection" for "wholeness":
IFS-Informed Parts Work: We get curious about the "Perfectionist Part" of your system. This part likely took on its job very early to protect you from criticism or instability. We work to help this part feel safe enough to finally rest.
EMDR for Performance Anxiety: We use EMDR to process past memories of "failure" or moments where your worth was tied to your performance, neutralizing the triggers that fuel today's perfectionism.
Somatic Regulation: We learn to recognize the physical tension of "trying too hard" and use grounding tools to expand your Window of Tolerance, allowing you to be present even when things are messy.
For the "Professional" Perfectionists
As someone who works extensively with therapists, pastors, and professors, I understand the unique pressure of having to be a "model" of wellness or wisdom. I provide a confidential, courageous space where you can drop the "expert" mask and explore the messy, beautiful reality of being human.
21 Years Experience
Online in Kinston, NC (Online Only)
Perfectionism
Nour Counseling
Counselor/Therapist
Perfectionism is often praised—but let’s be clear: most of what gets called “perfectionism” is actually pressure. Pressure to perform, to be liked, to get it right, to not mess up in a world that doesn’t give you much room to be human. A lot of those standards don’t come from you. They come from dominant cultural norms—productivity, achievement, appearance, success—that you’ve been taught to internalize, even when they don’t actually match what you value. So you keep pushing, overthinking, over-preparing, holding yourself to impossible expectations… and still feeling like it’s not enough.
At Nour Counseling, we don’t treat perfectionism like a personality quirk or something to “optimize.” We take it apart. We help you identify where these standards came from, how they’ve been reinforced, and what they’re costing you—your time, your energy, your relationships, your sense of self. From there, we actively work with you to build something different: clearer values, more flexible thinking, and ways of showing up that don’t require constant self-pressure to maintain. This includes learning how to tolerate imperfection, make decisions without over-analysis, and step out of cycles that keep you stuck. This work is about reclaiming your life from expectations that were never really yours—and building one that actually reflects what matters to you.
9 Years Experience
Online in Kinston, NC (Online Only)
Perfectionism
Lynette Cisneros
Counselor/Therapist, LCMHC, LMHC
Perfectionism is an exhausting, unattainable self sabotage. Odds are you won't reach it because you will change the goal posts on yourself or minimize the outcome anyways. We will work to interrupt the unrealistic expectations you are putting upon yourself and others. Oftentimes the accompanying anxiety, compare & despair thinking, OCD/OCPD tendencies and/or the faulty messaging in youth will have to be deconstructed, redirected and released.
25 Years Experience
Online in Kinston, NC (Online Only)
Perfectionism
Bobby Newell
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, SEP
I specialize in working with individuals who struggle with perfectionism—the constant pressure to get everything right, meet high expectations, and avoid mistakes at all costs. While perfectionism can look like success on the outside, it often comes with anxiety, burnout, and a harsh inner critic that’s hard to turn off. Together, we focus on understanding the patterns driving perfectionism and building more flexible, sustainable ways of thinking and responding. My approach combines practical tools with mind-body awareness, helping you reduce pressure, increase self-trust, and show up more fully—without feeling like everything has to be perfect first.
27 Years Experience
Online in Kinston, NC
Perfectionism therapists in Kinston, NC Statistics
Perfectionism therapists in Kinston, NC average 14 years of experience and charge around $219 per session. 100% offer online sessions. The top treatment approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (78%), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) (57%), and Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) (35%).
Average years in practice
14 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$219
Accept insurance
49%
Offer sliding scale
33%
Gender ID
| 67% |
Female |
|
| 23% |
Male |
|
| 5% |
Gender Fluid |
|
| 5% |
Non-Binary |
|
Session Type
| 51% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 49% |
Online Only |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 78% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 57% | Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) |
| 35% | Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) |
| 33% | Existential / Humanistic Therapy |
| 33% | Psychodynamic Therapy |
| 31% | Behavioral Therapy |
| 31% | Motivational Interviewing (MI) |
Ages Served
| 98% | Adult |
| 78% | Young Adult |
| 41% | Senior |
| 37% | Teen |
| 18% | Children |
Client Focus
| 53% | Women |
| 37% | LGBTQ+ |
| 33% | Men |
| 29% | Military / Veterans |
| 27% | Black / African American |