Therapy for Perfectionism, Stress & Burnout

“Joy comes to us in ordinary moments. We risk missing out when we get too busy chasing the extraordinary” - Brené Brown

What happens when “good enough” never feels good enough?

You’re doing everything you can to hold it all together: checking every box, meeting every deadline, keeping everyone happy. But despite your efforts, you still feel anxious, unfulfilled, and drained. Sound familiar?

You may be struggling with perfectionism, a pattern that’s more than just wanting things to go well. It’s a deep-rooted cycle of pressure, productivity, and never feeling like you’re enough.

At MWC, we offer compassionate, evidence-based perfectionism therapy in Maryland to help you break free from unrealistic standards and reclaim your energy, confidence, and peace of mind.

Signs of Perfectionism

Perfectionism is often praised by society, but beneath the surface, it can be mentally and emotionally exhausting. You may be dealing with:

  • Constant self-criticism or feelings of not being good enough

  • Difficulty saying no or setting boundaries

  • “Should” as a top five word in your vocabulary

  • Fear of making mistakes or disappointing others

  • Overfunctioning and burnout

  • Struggles with delegation and decision-making

  • Anxiety when plans change or things feel out of your control

  • Having to buy the “right” gift, bring the “right” dish to the potluck, or purchase the “right” item

  • Procrastination driven by fear of doing something “wrong”

  • Fixation on small errors or perceived failures

  • Avoiding risks or new experiences unless you can do them perfectly

Even if you know perfection isn’t realistic, that doesn’t stop the drive to achieve it—or the toll it takes.

Here’s the problem: society rewards perfectionism.

Let’s think about this. Most forms of human suffering aren’t met with applause. Perfectionism, however, is rewarded by a society that prioritizes success, productivity, and appearance over…well, most things. It’s no wonder we keep working harder and harder until we wake up and realize we’re burned out.

But this comes at a cost: burnout, anxiety, resentment, and disconnection from what actually matters.

The problem with perfectionism is that it is a rigged game where we feel like we are “winning” when things go well, and feel like we’re failing when they don’t. That feeling of failure sucks, and often leads us to try harder at the same goal. However, despite what you may have been told, more effort does not always lead to a better outcome. Sometimes, the goal is to shift the goal entirely. And that’s where I come in.

Therapy for Perfectionism in Maryland

Perfectionism and burnout therapy at MWC is rooted in the belief that your worth isn’t defined by performance. We’ll work together to:

  • Understand the beliefs and systems that fuel your perfectionism

  • Identify the values that actually matter to you

  • Set boundaries with yourself and others

  • Build tolerance for uncertainty and imperfection

  • Learn tools for self-compassion and flexible thinking

  • Redefine success in a way that supports your well-being

Online OCD Therapy Available Across Maryland

We offer virtual therapy across Maryland, so whether you're in Baltimore, Bethesda, Annapolis, or elsewhere in the state, you can get support from the comfort of home.

Perfectionism isn’t about being perfect. It’s about never feeling good enough.

Whether you’re feeling burned out, a bit crispy, or lightly toasted, you deserve to feel better.

Schedule a free consultation call to get started on investing back into yourself again.