Perfectionism therapists in Olympia, Washington WA
We are proud to feature top rated Perfectionism therapists in Olympia. We encourage you to review each profile to find your best match.
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 Olympia, WA Washington
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 Olympia, WA Washington
Perfectionism
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 Olympia, WA Washington
Perfectionism
Melanie Carey
Counselor/Therapist, LMHCA
Perfectionism often looks like high standards, strong work ethic, and attention to detail — but internally it can feel like pressure, self-criticism, fear of failure, or a constant sense that nothing is ever quite enough. Many people with perfectionistic patterns are deeply capable, yet quietly exhausted from trying to get things “right” all the time.
In therapy, we explore perfectionism not as a flaw to eliminate, but as an adaptive strategy that once served an important purpose — often related to safety, belonging, approval, or avoiding shame. From a psychodynamic and trauma-informed lens, we gently look at how these patterns developed and how they continue to shape your relationship with yourself, your creativity, and others.
Rather than trying to replace perfectionism with productivity hacks or forced positivity, this work supports a deeper shift in how you relate to internal pressure. We begin to notice what happens in your body when perfectionism is activated — the tightening, urgency, fear, or collapse — and what might be happening underneath those experiences.
Using Focusing-Oriented Psychotherapy, we slow down enough to access the “felt sense” of perfectionism, allowing space for the parts of you that are striving, protecting, or afraid to be met with curiosity rather than judgment. This often opens the door to new internal possibilities that cannot be reached through thinking alone.
As clients develop greater awareness and nervous system regulation, perfectionism often begins to soften. This does not mean losing ambition or care, but rather shifting from a driven, fear-based relationship with achievement to one that includes self-trust, flexibility, and internal permission.
This approach is especially supportive for creatives, professionals, and highly sensitive individuals who feel blocked, burned out, or disconnected from their natural creativity because of internal pressure to perform or succeed.
Over time, therapy supports a more sustainable relationship with your inner standards — one that allows for both excellence and ease, structure and spaciousness, effort and rest.
2 Years Experience
Online in Olympia, WA Washington (Online Only)
Perfectionism
Carolyne Mburu-Gerena
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, PMHNP-BC
Perfectionism can create significant stress, self-criticism, and fear of failure. Individuals may feel constant pressure to meet unrealistic expectations or struggle with decision-making and procrastination. Treatment focuses on building healthier thinking patterns, reducing self-judgment, and developing more balanced approaches to achievement and personal growth
6 Years Experience
Online in Olympia, WA Washington (Online Only)
Perfectionism therapists in Olympia, Washington Statistics
Perfectionism therapists in Olympia, Washington average 13 years of experience and charge around $199 per session. 100% offer online sessions. The top treatment approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (76%), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) (47%), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) (37%).
Average years in practice
13 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$199
Accept insurance
45%
Offer sliding scale
32%
Gender ID
| 71% |
Female |
|
| 23% |
Male |
|
| 3% |
Non-Binary |
|
| 3% |
Gender Fluid |
|
Session Type
| 61% |
Online Only |
|
| 39% |
In Person and Online |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 76% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 47% | Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) |
| 37% | Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) |
| 34% | Existential / Humanistic Therapy |
| 34% | Behavioral Therapy |
| 29% | Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) |
| 29% | Somatic Therapy |
Ages Served
| 97% | Adult |
| 74% | Young Adult |
| 42% | Teen |
| 34% | Senior |
| 16% | Children |
Client Focus
| 58% | Women |
| 39% | LGBTQ+ |
| 34% | Men |
| 26% | Black / African American |
| 24% | Military / Veterans |