Perfectionism therapists in Nashville, Tennessee TN
Nashville Therapists (Statistics)
Average years in practice
13 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$203
Gender ID
| 80% |
Female |
|
| 20% |
Male |
|
Session Type
| 56% |
Online Only |
|
| 44% |
In Person and Online |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 89% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 56% | Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) |
| 44% | Motivational Interviewing (MI) |
| 44% | Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) |
| 33% | Family Systems Therapy |
| 33% | Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) |
| 33% | Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) |
We are proud to feature top rated Perfectionism therapists in Nashville. We encourage you to review each profile to find your best match.
Perfectionism
Jason Holland
Psychologist, Ph.D.
Perfectionism often looks like high standards, but it is usually driven by fear of failure, criticism, or not being enough. We can work on loosening the pressure without lowering what you value. The focus is on more flexible thinking, better self-compassion, and the ability to take action without needing everything to be flawless.
25 Years Experience
In-Person Near Nashville, TN
Online in Nashville, TN Tennessee
Perfectionism
Alyssa Smyth
Psychologist, PhD
If you hold yourself to very high standards yet rarely feel satisfied with your efforts, perfectionism may be driving constant pressure beneath the surface. While striving for excellence can be a strength, perfectionism often brings self-criticism, worry about mistakes, and difficulty slowing down. Therapy focuses on understanding these patterns and developing healthier ways to pursue high standards without the chronic strain.
6 Years Experience
Online in Nashville, TN Tennessee
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 Nashville, TN Tennessee (Online Only)
Perfectionism
Kelsey Ellis
Psychologist, Ph.D., LCP
Perfectionism can create constant pressure to perform, anticipate, and prevent mistakes, often leaving little room for rest or self-compassion. Many women find themselves trapped in cycles of striving that feel productive on the surface but exhausting underneath. In therapy, we work to understand how these patterns developed and build more flexible ways of responding to expectations so that your sense of worth is not tied to constant output.
2 Years Experience
Online in Nashville, TN Tennessee (Online Only)
Perfectionism
Juniper Mental Health
Psychologist, PhD
Perfectionism is not problematic for everyone, but for some, the drive to always do more and be better can have a negative impact on their daily stress, relationships, and take away from the life they want to be living. We have several providers on our team who have authored books and research on this very topic. Reach out to consult with our perfectionism specialists to discuss treatment.
8 Years Experience
Online in Nashville, TN Tennessee (Online Only)