Perfectionism therapists in Providence, RI
Browse Perfectionism therapists in Providence, Rhode Island. Compare credentials, specialties and therapeutic approach. Contact a therapist to learn more.
Haley Busch
Psychologist, Ph.D., L.P.
Perfectionism is not really about high standards — it is about what you believe will happen if you fall short. The clients I see with perfectionism are usually accomplished and exhausted, unable to enjoy what they have done because attention moves straight to the next thing, and privately convinced the whole structure depends on their vigilance. Rather than trying to talk you out of your standards, I am interested in where they came from, whose approval they were originally for, and what they have protected you from feeling. Self-acceptance does more for functioning than self-criticism ever has, but it cannot be adopted on command — it develops through being understood.
6 Years Experience
Online in Providence, RI
Dr. Elizabeth Coldren
Psychologist, PSYD, PSYPACT
I work with people who hold themselves to very high standards and feel the cost of that internally. Perfectionism can look like overworking, difficulty stopping, constant self‑criticism, or a sense that nothing is ever quite enough. It can also look like procrastination, avoidance, or shutting down when something feels too overwhelming or too important to get wrong. Many people I see are highly responsible and often successful on the outside, but feel tense, depleted, or quietly anxious much of the time.
Perfectionism often develops as a way to stay safe, cope with unpredictability, or manage early experiences where being competent, careful, or invisible felt necessary. Over time, these strategies can become exhausting. You may notice that you rarely feel satisfied, that rest feels undeserved, or that you are harder on yourself than anyone else would ever be, even when you are doing your best.
In our work together, we make space for the part of you that strives and the part of you that is tired of striving. Rather than forcing you to “let go” of high standards, we get curious about what perfectionism has been protecting and what it is costing you now. We pay attention to how perfectionism shows up in your body, thoughts, and relationships, and look for ways of relating to yourself that are still responsible and thoughtful but less punishing, so you can experience more ease, satisfaction, and permission to be human in your work, relationships, and inner life. Working with perfectionism is a central part of my practice, and I have deep respect for how hard you’ve been working to hold everything together.
26 Years Experience
Online in Providence, RI
Starlain Saldana
Psychologist, PhD, LP
While aspects of perfectionism have often been helpful for folks to achieve and get to where they are in life, it also has a shadow side rooted in fear of failure, shame, and anxiety. Additionally, our society often reinforces perfectionism in ways that make it difficult from which to un-tangle. Our work will hold the ways it has been helpful while also challenging you to gain comfort with 'good enough' approaches to life.
17 Years Experience
Online in Providence, RI
Maria Jose Rendon
Psychologist, Ph.D.
I work with adults whose perfectionism has stopped serving them, professionals and scientists who are high performing but burning out int he workplace and privately exhausted by their own inner critic. My approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, trained through the Beck Institute, which helps identify the specific thought patterns driving perfectionistic behavior and build a more sustainable relationship with achievement. Many of my clients are first-generation Latinx professionals, for whom perfectionism is often tied to family expectations and the pressure of being the first to do what they do. Sessions are structured and goal-oriented, so progress is something you can see and track, not just feel.
9 Years Experience
Online in Providence, RI (Online Only)
Christine Sparacino
Psychologist, PsyD
Claudia Blackwell talks about how perfectionism is born out of shame. It's a quote that has stuck with me for years. Perfectionism causes us to feel like we are never good enough, directly attacking our self-worth. Supportive therapy can help us identify the attacks of perfectionism, learn the language of our inner critic, and forge a path forward with self-compassion and self-acceptance.
23 Years Experience
Online in Providence, RI (Online Only)
Providence is home to Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), and Providence College — together generating significant student mental health demand and a creative, intellectually engaged population that views therapy favorably and tends toward longer-term, exploratory work. The city has a large Cape Verdean and Latino community, with a significant Guatemalan and Dominican population that creates demand for culturally affirming, Spanish-speaking therapists who understand the particular dynamics of immigrant family life in New England. Rhode Island Hospital and the Brown University Health system provide institutional mental health resources, while Brown's Warren Alpert Medical School maintains important psychiatric training programs. Providence's arts and hospitality economy creates consistent demand for therapists experienced with creative identity, economic precarity, and the mental health challenges of artists and performers.
Perfectionism therapists in Providence, RI Statistics
Perfectionism therapists in Providence, RI average 12 years of experience and charge around $236 per session. 100% offer online sessions. The top treatment approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (81%), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) (59%), and Behavioral Therapy (32%).
Average years in practice
12 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$236
Accept insurance
43%
Offer sliding scale
32%
Gender ID
| 73% |
Female |
|
| 21% |
Male |
|
| 3% |
Gender Fluid |
|
| 3% |
Non-Binary |
|
Session Type
| 51% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 49% |
Online Only |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 81% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 59% | Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) |
| 32% | Behavioral Therapy |
| 32% | Existential / Humanistic Therapy |
| 32% | Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) |
| 30% | Psychodynamic Therapy |
| 24% | Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) |
Ages Served
| 97% | Adult |
| 70% | Young Adult |
| 35% | Teen |
| 32% | Senior |
| 11% | Children |
Client Focus
| 49% | Women |
| 30% | LGBTQ+ |
| 27% | Men |
| 24% | Military / Veterans |
| 22% | Black / African American |