Perfectionism therapists in Knoxville, TN
Browse Perfectionism therapists in Knoxville, Tennessee. Compare credentials, specialties and therapeutic approach. Contact a therapist to learn more.
Perfectionism
Renee Gallo Psychological Services
Psychologist, PhD, PMH-C
Feeling like you hold yourself to extremely high standards? Always striving and never feeling good enough? I specialize in treating anxiety and related disorders that often embody ideas of perfectionism. CBT and ACT, and exposure therapy as necessary, can be helpful in learning to challenge perfectionistic tendencies. Please see my website to learn more about me and my practice. I conduct free initial phone calls to determine fit. Email me directly at renee@drgallopsych.com for the fastest response. I am passionate about reducing the mental health stigma and bringing hope and relief to my clients' lives.
5 Years Experience
Online in Knoxville, TN
Perfectionism
Becca Edwards
Therapist, LMSW, Ed.S., M.ed
Perfectionism can look like achievement on the outside while feeling like constant pressure on the inside. I work with clients who struggle with unrealistic expectations, self-criticism, fear of failure, or feeling that they are never doing enough. Therapy can help create more space for self-compassion, flexibility, and being human.
4 Years Experience
Online in Knoxville, TN
Perfectionism
Patricia McGuire
Counselor/Therapist, LPC-MHSP, NCC
That pesky, exacting standard that seems to never leave us alone. Together, we will dismantle and challenge perfectionism to help you find freedom.
11 Years Experience
Online in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN (Online Only)
Perfectionism
Dr. Monika Sharma
Psychologist, PsyD
Perfectionism is anxiety in disguise. It appears to be on your side, encouraging you to strive to be better. However, it is an unrelenting critic that tells you that you or other people/things are not good enough...ever. It can help you in the beginning to strive for excellence and over-achieve, to be recognized for your accomplishments and capabilities. But your perfectionism does not allow you to truly feel or celebrate all of your effort. Over time, it can look like exhaustion, self-doubt, imposter syndrome, depression, anxiety, procrastination, and feeling like you don't know how to stop from unraveling or being discovered as a fraud. It's a self-imposed prison that feels suffocating to be but even more terrifying to get out of.
I will teach you how to be curious about your uncomfortable feelings and tendencies such as perfectionism, anxiety, anger, fear, sadness, loneliness, and overwhelm. This involves learning to build tolerance for uncomfortable feelings because they won't actually hurt us; approach these feelings without judgment; poke at them and examine them and see what lies within them; and then decide how we want to use these feelings as a compass to guide us toward those things that truly matter. You will feel empowered to be the master of your feelings, not a puppet to them.
Schedule a free 15-minute consult at: sharmapsych.com/schedule
26 Years Experience
Online in Knoxville, TN
Perfectionism therapists in Knoxville, TN Statistics
Perfectionism therapists in Knoxville, TN average 13 years of experience and charge around $218 per session. 100% offer online sessions. The top treatment approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (75%), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) (59%), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) (35%).
Average years in practice
13 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$218
Accept insurance
33%
Offer sliding scale
32%
Gender ID
| 74% |
Female |
|
| 24% |
Male |
|
| 1% |
Gender Fluid |
|
| 1% |
Non-Binary |
|
Session Type
| 52% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 48% |
Online Only |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 75% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 59% | Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) |
| 35% | Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) |
| 35% | Psychodynamic Therapy |
| 30% | Existential / Humanistic Therapy |
| 29% | Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) |
| 27% | Relational Psychotherapy |
Ages Served
| 97% | Adult |
| 76% | Young Adult |
| 44% | Senior |
| 40% | Teen |
| 16% | Children |
Client Focus
| 48% | Women |
| 35% | LGBTQ+ |
| 30% | Men |
| 21% | Asian |
| 21% | Black / African American |