Imposter Syndrome & Perfectionism
You’ve got the degrees, the titles, the receipts—and still, there’s that little voice asking, “How the hell did I get here, and when will everyone figure out I don’t belong?”
You rewrite emails 10 times. You rehearse what to say in a meeting, then criticize yourself afterward anyway. You get praise and somehow feel more anxious, not less. You live with the constant pressure to impress, perform, and not mess it up.
The loop looks like this:
You succeed → you panic → you raise the bar again
You depend on praise to feel OK, but it never lasts
You downplay your wins and obsess over tiny slip-ups
You fear that if you relax, it’ll all fall apart
And then you wonder: “Why can’t I just feel good about myself already?”
Here’s the secret: This didn’t start in adulthood
Maybe you grew up in a high-pressure home. Maybe school drilled it into you. Maybe you’ve always been “the smart one” or “the achiever,” and your entire identity got built on making other people proud—or at least keeping them off your back.
Either way, your nervous system never got the memo that you’re safe now.
How therapy helps
I work with people who are tired of living with that wired, watch-your-back kind of anxiety that comes with perfectionism. In therapy, we:
Get curious about the voice in your head and where it learned its lines
Untangle your worth from your productivity, likability, or polish
Build your tolerance for imperfection (yes, this is possible)
Create space to be more you, not just the version you think everyone expects
I don’t do performative affirmations or empty pep talks. This is about real self-respect—not fake confidence.
What changes
Clients I work with often report:
Less anxiety in their day-to-day life
Less shame when they make mistakes (and fewer freak-outs over feedback)
More freedom to be honest, take risks, and stop apologizing for their existence
This isn’t just about easing anxiety. It’s about getting your actual life back.
Reach out
If you’ve been white-knuckling your way through “being impressive,” I can help. No toxic positivity, no pretending this is easy—just a real place to unpack the pressure and figure out who you are without all the performing.