Perfectionism therapists in Arlington, VA
Browse Perfectionism therapists in Arlington, Virginia. Compare credentials, specialties and therapeutic approach. Contact a therapist to learn more.
Perfectionism
Dr. Heather Sheets
Psychologist, PsyD
Perfectionism can look like ambition, high standards, or simply wanting to do things well. But underneath the drive to get everything right can be a persistent fear of failure, criticism, disappointment, or not being enough.
You may find yourself overthinking decisions, setting unrealistic expectations, being highly self-critical, or feeling that no matter what you accomplish, it is never quite enough. You may have learned to measure your worth by your productivity, success, appearance, relationships, or ability to meet the expectations of others.
I work with individuals who struggle with perfectionism to understand where these patterns come from and how they may be affecting the way they experience themselves and their lives. Together, we explore the core beliefs and internal expectations that fuel the need to be perfect and examine how those beliefs influence your thoughts, emotions, relationships, and choices.
Using cognitive behavioral, emotion-focused, mindfulness-based, and strength-based approaches, I help you develop a more compassionate and realistic relationship with yourself. We work on challenging all-or-nothing thinking, tolerating uncertainty and mistakes, and separating your sense of self-worth from your accomplishments.
The goal is not to make you care less or give up the qualities that have helped you succeed. Rather, it is to help you pursue what matters to you without being driven by fear, self-criticism, or the belief that you must be perfect to be worthy.
You don't have to choose between striving for meaningful goals and being at peace with yourself. Therapy can help you create a healthier balance—one where you can achieve, grow, and succeed while also allowing yourself to be human.
19 Years Experience
In-Person in Arlington, VA 22207
Online in Arlington, VA
Perfectionism
Carrie Gauthier
Hypnotherapist, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, CCHt
We work with control and perfectionism in hypnosis and hypnotic regression to uncover limiting beliefs and emotions and explore the root cause memory. Once we process this, there is often a release and a new lease on how we approach things. We remove this programming through the repetitive playing of our hypnotic recording to completely rewire and replace with the newly desired behavior. We work on your sense of self worth, self love and any hardwired belief systems that have led you to place, in many instances, unrealistic expectations that you have set for yourself so that you can still move forward daily with your goals, but so that you do it from a place of love, specifically, love for yourself. We often process guilt and shame and feelings of low self esteem that push individuals over the brink with the nealy impossible task of perfection. You are enough, always remember this. I provide you with tools you can use in your daily life to come back from a panic spiral or feelings of overwhelm, overextension, and burnout. This will return you to feelings of safety with emotional regulation and feeling good in your own skin again.
2 Years Experience
Online in Arlington, VA (Online Only)
Perfectionism
Karen Hahn, Therapist
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, LICSW, LCSW-C
I work with individuals struggling with perfectionism, helping them understand the thoughts and pressures that drive it. Together, we explore ways to manage self-criticism, set realistic expectations, and build self-compassion so they can feel more balanced, confident, and fulfilled.
10 Years Experience
In-Person Near Arlington, VA
Online in Arlington, VA
Perfectionism
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 Arlington, VA (Online Only)
Perfectionism
Dr. Linda G. Ritchie, Ph.D.
Psychologist, Ph.D., LPC, LMFT, Certified Hypnotherapist
If you struggle with perfectionism, you may feel constant pressure to get everything “just right”—often setting high standards that are difficult to meet. You might overthink decisions, procrastinate out of fear of making mistakes, or feel dissatisfied even when you’ve done well. What looks like high achievement on the outside can come with internal stress, self-criticism, and the sense that it’s never quite enough.
I help clients understand and change the patterns that drive perfectionism so it no longer controls your thinking or behavior. Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), we identify and shift the rigid thought patterns and unrealistic standards that create pressure and self-doubt. With clinical hypnosis, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT/tapping), and NLP, we work at a deeper level to reduce fear of mistakes and reshape the internal dialogue that keeps you stuck. I also incorporate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you take action more freely, tolerate imperfection, and stay focused on what truly matters rather than getting caught in overcontrol.
What’s often missing isn’t motivation—you likely care deeply about doing things well. What’s missing is flexibility in how you approach goals and a way to interrupt the internal pressure that leads to avoidance, burnout, or chronic dissatisfaction. Without that shift, perfectionism can limit progress rather than enhance it.
The fact that you’re here suggests you’re ready for a different approach. If you’re willing to step out of the cycle of pressure and self-criticism, I can help you maintain high standards while also feeling more confident, productive, and at ease with yourself and your work.
27 Years Experience
In-Person Near Arlington, VA
Online in Arlington, VA
Perfectionism
Chloe Koutsos
Counselor/Therapist, NCC LPC
Individual psychotherapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for a range of presenting concerns and can help with perfectionism.
8 Years Experience
Online in Arlington, VA (Online Only)
Perfectionism
Catherine Cabrera
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, LCPC, LMHC
Perfectionism can look like high standards and success on the outside, but internally it often feels like constant pressure, self-criticism, and the fear of getting something wrong. When your self-worth starts to feel tied to performance, it can become exhausting to maintain the pace you expect from yourself.
I work with individuals who struggle with perfectionism, overthinking, and the pressure to always do more or be better. Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), we focus on understanding the patterns that drive perfectionism and developing practical tools to challenge harsh self-criticism, manage anxiety, and build a healthier relationship with achievement.
My approach is supportive, honest, and empowering—creating a space where you can maintain your ambition while learning to step out of the cycle of constant pressure and self-doubt.
6 Years Experience
Online in Arlington, VA (Online Only)
Arlington is home to the Pentagon and a concentration of federal government, defense contracting, and intelligence community workers that gives it a distinctive therapy clientele — people who often cannot openly discuss their work, carry significant stress related to security clearances, and navigate the psychological weight of careers lived at the intersection of policy and national security. The county is one of the most educated and affluent in the United States, with a population that is generally comfortable seeking therapy and financially able to engage in longer-term work. VHC Health (formerly Virginia Hospital Center) and the broader Northern Virginia healthcare ecosystem provide institutional mental health resources alongside one of the most established private practice communities in the Washington DC metro area. Arlington's large Latino population — concentrated in the Columbia Pike corridor — creates important demand for Spanish-speaking and culturally affirming therapists alongside the predominantly white-collar therapy clientele.
Perfectionism therapists in Arlington, VA Statistics
Perfectionism therapists in Arlington, VA average 13 years of experience and charge around $219 per session. 100% offer online sessions. The top treatment approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (84%), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) (51%), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) (31%).
Average years in practice
13 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$219
Accept insurance
38%
Offer sliding scale
27%
Gender ID
| 66% |
Female |
|
| 24% |
Male |
|
| 6% |
Non-Binary |
|
| 4% |
Gender Fluid |
|
Session Type
| 58% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 42% |
Online Only |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 84% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 51% | Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) |
| 31% | Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) |
| 31% | Motivational Interviewing (MI) |
| 29% | Internal Family Systems (IFS) |
| 27% | Behavioral Therapy |
| 27% | Existential / Humanistic Therapy |
Ages Served
| 98% | Adult |
| 73% | Young Adult |
| 40% | Senior |
| 35% | Teen |
| 16% | Children |
Client Focus
| 49% | Women |
| 35% | LGBTQ+ |
| 29% | Men |
| 22% | Military / Veterans |
| 20% | Christian |