Therapy for perfectionism in San Francisco and online throughout California
Therapy for Perfectionism
Let’s remove the shame, and keep the good stuff.
Does this cycle sound familiar?
You make a mistake, or something isn’t going the way you’d hoped. The anxiety hits, and you’re bombarded with thoughts that take you out of the present and demand your attention: what did I do wrong? How did I let this happen?
Things escalate, and now you’re in a shame spiral, rife with self-punishing thoughts:
It’s my fault, I should have tried harder. I’m failing at this. Why can’t I do this–everyone else seems to be handling it just fine. There must be something wrong with me.
The shame morphs back into anxiety, which kicks you into gear and compels you to take action to eliminate these feelings. You dive into your work, cramming as much as possible into the day–or maybe you reach for distraction–mindless TV, scrolling, or using substances.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
Sound like you?
Despite your accomplishments, self-doubt lingers–you rarely feel good enough
You feel a near constant pressure to get everything right on the first try
You have a harsh inner critic that never cuts you a break
You’re constantly comparing yourself to others and coming up short
You overthink every decision, and often second guess your choices
You swing between procrastinating and overworking
You are quick to support others, but find it difficult to let others support you
You feel exhausted, burned out, and overwhelmed by life
These patterns reflect survival strategies you developed to gain approval or stay safe. But over time they can become exhausting and self-limiting, disconnecting you from ease, joy, and authenticity.
How I Help
My approach is trauma-informed and influenced by mindfulness and somatic therapy.
When working together we might:
Slow things down and begin to tune in to what your body and emotions are trying to communicate
Start to notice this perfectionistic part of you (with a sense of openness, curiosity, and non-judgement) so you can begin to relate to it differently
Collaborate to better understand why this pattern developed, and how it has served you
Explore the fears and beliefs operating in the background of your life, and experiment with new ways of being
I’m not here to eliminate your perfectionism, or talk you into changing. In fact, I celebrate how motivated and dedicated you are to accomplishing what you want and will never try to take that away from you. But there is a way to pursue your dreams without all the needless suffering.
“Everything you achieve in this life is just the clapping after the song. You are the song.”
— Katherine Morgan Schafler
Starting Therapy is easy
01.
Get in touch by filling out this quick form here.
02.
We’ll schedule a time to chat and make sure we’re a great fit.
03.
Start therapy and begin to explore a new way of being.
Hi, I’m Annie
I like to show up prepared, execute things well, and achieve the goals I set. There is nothing inherently wrong with this, and I like this about myself. But there is also a shadow side to these traits that left me feeling anxious, internally conflicted, and ultimately exhausted. I understand this struggle from the inside out. If you’re at a point in your life where you’re ready for something different, I’ve got you. Let’s explore how you can continue to work toward your ambitions with more energy, a greater sense of groundedness, and a clearer, more aligned vision.