Therapy for Perfectionism
Perfectionism can lead to chronic stress, self-criticism, and burnout. It's the sense that nothing you do is ever quite good enough, even when everyone around you says otherwise. In therapy, we address the pressure you're carrying and work toward a healthier way to measure success, with more self-compassion along the way.
Who You'll Work With
Hi, I'm Corinne.
I'm a licensed clinical psychologist (PsyD) with extensive experience supporting trauma survivors and marginalized communities. You'll work directly with me at every step. I run every session and sign every evaluation myself. More about me →
- PsyD, Licensed Psychologist
- Online in 45+ states
- In person in Denver & Santa Ana
When the standards start running you
Perfectionism often looks like high functioning from the outside. That's what makes it easy to overlook, and hard to ask for help with:
- You can point to the accomplishments, but you can't remember the last time you felt proud of one.
- A single mistake can undo an entire day, even when nine other things went right.
- You'd rather not start something than risk doing it imperfectly.
- People describe you as having it all together, and you have no idea how to tell them what it costs you.
- Rest feels unearned unless you've exhausted yourself first.
- You hold other people to standards you'd never admit you're also failing to meet.
These are the patterns therapy for perfectionism works on.
What perfectionism can look like
Perfectionism rarely announces itself as a problem. It usually looks like high standards, until you look closer.
Harsh Self-Criticism
A voice in your head that's never quite satisfied, no matter how well something went.
Procrastination & Avoidance
Starting feels safer than risking an imperfect result, so things get put off instead.
Difficulty Delegating
Trouble trusting others to do things "right," which usually means your way.
Worth Tied to Achievement
Your sense of self rises and falls with how well you're performing.
Chronic Exhaustion
Constantly overextending yourself, with little sense of when enough is enough.
Fear of Failure
A fear that outweighs any excitement about what success might bring.
You can keep the standards and lose the self-criticism
We work on understanding where the pressure to be perfect came from and what it's protecting you from, so you can start loosening its grip without feeling like you're giving up on yourself. That usually means learning to tolerate imperfection without spiraling and redefining what success means to you. Performing less anxiety while the underlying pressure stays the same is not the goal.
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
We work on relating differently to the inner critic, so you can act on what matters to you instead of waiting to feel "ready enough" first.
Self-Determination Theory
Perfectionism often replaces internal motivation with external pressure. This approach helps rebuild a sense of success defined on your own terms.
Where It Came From
Perfectionism is often learned early, as a way to earn approval or stay safe. Understanding its origin makes it easier to update.
A Personalized Plan
We build the plan around where your perfectionism came from, what it costs you now, and which of your standards you want to keep.
From the first call to weekly sessions
Here's how it starts, and how it goes from there.
Free 15-Minute Consultation
We talk about what's going on, what you're hoping changes, and whether we're a good fit.
Intake Session
Your first full session is a conversation. I'll ask what's bringing you in, where the pressure to be perfect started, and what you want to change.
Weekly Sessions
50-minute sessions over secure, HIPAA-compliant video, typically weekly to start. We build practical tools and an understanding of what's keeping the pattern in place.
Adjusting Over Time
Once things settle, many clients move to biweekly or monthly sessions. We decide the pace together, and it is allowed to change.
“Perfectionism often looks like high functioning from the outside. That's what makes it easy to overlook, and hard to ask for help with.”
— Dr. Corinne Votaw-Freer, PsyD
Session fees & insurance
Individual sessions are $225, available to clients in 45+ states through my PSYPACT license.
For a full breakdown of rates and accepted insurance carriers by state, see Rates & Insurance.
Questions perfectionists ask before booking
Isn't perfectionism just a strength I've learned to use well?
High standards can absolutely be an asset. Perfectionism becomes a problem when the cost, in chronic stress, self-criticism, avoidance, and exhaustion, starts outweighing the benefit. Therapy doesn't lower your standards. It helps you stop paying for them with your wellbeing.
Will therapy make me less driven or successful?
No. Most clients find the opposite: separating your worth from your output makes it easier to take risks, finish things, and sustain effort over time, instead of burning out or avoiding altogether.
Is this related to anxiety or OCD?
Perfectionism frequently overlaps with anxiety, and sometimes with obsessive-compulsive patterns. Part of the initial evaluation is understanding what's driving your specific experience, since that shapes the most effective approach.
How long does perfectionism therapy usually take?
It varies by how long the pattern has been in place and how deeply it's tied to your sense of self. Many clients notice a shift within a few months of weekly work, with ongoing sessions to consolidate the change.
