• Book an intake consultation Contact Now Schedule an Appointment

    26711 Woodward Ave. Suite 306
    Huntington Woods, MI 48070
    (248) 860-2024

  • Marsh Psychology Group

    My WordPress Blog

    • Home
    • Our Staff
      • Pamela Marsh, Psy.D.
      • Carol VanKampen, LMSW
      • Monika Sata, Ph.D. , LLP
      • Randia Dickerson, LMSW
    • Services
      • Anxiety
        • Anxiety Therapist in Royal Oak, MI
      • Depression
        • Depression Therapist in Royal Oak, MI
      • Grief therapy
      • Transformative Therapies
        • Transformative Therapy Madison Heights, MI
      • EMDR therapy
        • EMDR Therapy Madison Heights
      • Individual Therapy
      • PTSD
        • PTSD therapist Madison Heights, MI
      • Relationship Issues
      • Self-Esteem Therapy
      • Social Anxiety
      • Therapy for Teens
      • Therapy for Women
      • Trauma Therapy
        • Trauma therapist Madison Heights, MI
      • Divorce Therapy
        • Divorce therapist Madison Heights, MI
      • Grief Therapy
      • Social Anxiety
      • Therapy for Teachers
      • Relationship Issues
      • Therapy for Nurses
      • Individual Therapist
      • Trauma Therapist
      • Therapy for women
      • EMDR Therapist
      • Therapy for Teens
      • Therapy for Codependency
        • Therapy for codependency Madison Heights, MI
      • Black woman therapist
        • Black woman therapist Madison Heights, MI
      • Therapy for Postpartum Depression
        • Therapy for postpartum depression Madison Heights, MI
    • Getting Started
      • FAQs
      • Rates and Insurance
      • Client Forms
      • Appointment Request
    • Resources
      • Service Areas
        • Therapy Services in Huntington Woods, MI
        • Therapy Services in Royal Oak, MI
        • Therapy Services in Madison Heights, MI
      • Mental Health Links
      • Physical Health Links
    • Careers
    • Contact
    • Blog

    The Psychology of Perfectionism and Why It Hurts

    November 29, 2025

    Perfectionism is often praised as a strength, but behind the drive for flawless performance lies a dark side: anxiety, burnout, and low self-worth. At its core, perfectionism is less about doing your best and more about feeling like you’ll never be good enough, no matter how much you achieve. That’s not a healthy way to […]

    Read More

    The Psychology of Perfectionism and Why It Hurts

    November 29, 2025

    Perfectionism is often praised as a strength, but behind the drive for flawless performance lies a dark side: anxiety, burnout, and low self-worth. At its core, perfectionism is less about doing your best and more about feeling like you’ll never be good enough, no matter how much you achieve. That’s not a healthy way to live. If your tendencies toward perfection are slowly draining you, it’s time to address the issue. The good news is that therapy can help. 

    Signs Perfectionism May Be Impacting Your Mental Health

    Left unchecked, perfectionism can interfere with your work, relationships, and emotional well-being. It can also contribute to depression, chronic stress, eating disorders, and obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Signs to look out for include: 

    • Constant self-criticism and fear of failure 

    • Avoiding tasks you can’t do “perfectly” 

    • Difficulty celebrating accomplishments 

    • Burnout from unrealistic expectations 

    • Seeking validation over satisfaction 

    Perfectionists often tie their worth to achievement and feel pressure to appear in control even when struggling. The result is a crippling cycle of stress and self-doubt. 

    How Therapy Helps You Break the Cycle of Perfectionism

    Working with a personal therapist can help you identify where your perfectionist tendencies began and how they show up in your life. Therapy will teach you to shift rigid thought patterns and try healthier ways to pursue goals. Treatment may include: 

    • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to reframe unrealistic standards 

    • Mindfulness practices to stay present and grounded 

    • Boundary-setting to protect your time and energy 

    • Self-compassion tools to soften the voice of inner criticism 

    Letting go of perfectionism doesn’t mean settling for less—it means choosing peace over pressure. When you’re ready to explore your perfectionism and forge a healthier path forward, we’re here for you. Simply get in touch with our team to schedule your first individual therapy session. You deserve to breathe freely! 

    Filed Under: Anxiety, burnout, mental health, perfectionism



    26711 Woodward Ave. Suite 306
    Huntington Woods, MI 48070

    (248) 860-2024
    info@marshpsychologygroup.com

    Contact Today

    Marsh Psychology Group
    info@marshpsychologygroup.com
    (248) 860-2024

    A Website by Brighter Vision | Privacy Policy