Therapy for Perfectionism, Burnout, & Anxiety
You may find yourself overthinking decisions, pushing through exhaustion, or feeling like mistakes aren’t an option.
Anxiety, perfectionism, and burnout can overlap: worry may drive you to overprepare or keep working, while rest brings guilt or the fear that you’re
falling behind.
What is perfectionism?
Perfectionism is a pattern of holding yourself to rigid or difficult-to-meet standards. It can become a rigid set of rules that makes it hard to feel satisfied or move forward. It can make mistakes feel threatening and leave you feeling that your work, choices, or efforts are never quite good enough.
You may find yourself overthinking decisions, pushing through exhaustion, or feeling like mistakes aren’t an option. Anxiety, perfectionism, and burnout can overlap: worry may drive you to overprepare or keep working, while rest brings guilt or the fear that you’re falling behind.
You might:
- Set standards that feel impossible to meet
- Fear making mistakes, disappointing people, or being judged
- Overprepare, overwork, or repeatedly check your work
- Procrastinate or avoid tasks because you’re afraid you won’t do them well
- Have trouble finishing or sharing something unless it feels “just right”
- Tie your sense of worth to achievement, productivity, or other people’s approval
- Feel guilty or anxious when you rest, ask for help, or set a boundary
What is Burnout?
Burnout describes a state of deep exhaustion and reduced capacity that can develop when stress and demands continue without enough time or support to recover. The term is often used for work-related stress, though people may also use it to describe exhaustion connected to caregiving, school, or other ongoing responsibilities.
Burnout is often associated with prolonged, unmanaged work stress. People also use the word to describe the exhaustion that can build when caregiving, school, relationships, or other demands leave little room to recover.
It may show up as:
- Feeling emotionally, mentally, or physically depleted
- Dreading responsibilities that used to feel manageable
- Feeling detached, numb, irritable, or less effective
- Having trouble concentrating or making decisions
- Continuing to push yourself even when you feel exhausted
- Struggling to rest because you feel guilty or behind
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is your mind and body’s response to perceived threat or uncertainty. It’s a normal human experience, but when worry or fear becomes persistent, hard to manage, or starts interfering with daily life, it may be time to seek support.
Anxiety can involve persistent worry or a sense that something needs to be solved or prevented.
It may show up as:
- Racing thoughts, rumination, or difficulty switching off worry
- Feeling tense, restless, keyed up, or on edge
- Trouble sleeping, concentrating, or making decisions
- Irritability or feeling overwhelmed by everyday demands
- Avoiding situations, delaying decisions, or seeking reassurance
- Physical signs of stress, such as muscle tension or a racing heart
How I approach treatment
We’ll look at how anxiety, perfectionism, and burnout are showing up for you, what tends to trigger them, and what keeps the patterns going. Then we’ll work on changes that fit your needs and daily life.
Depending on what you’re working through, therapy may include:
Identifying the thought and behavior patterns behind worry, self-criticism, all-or-nothing standards, and overworking.
ERP and exposure-based practice when anxiety is keeping you stuck in avoidance, overchecking, reassurance seeking, or the need to feel certain. This might mean completing a task without repeatedly checking it, sharing something before it feels perfect, or making a decision without trying to eliminate every doubt.
Accepting uncomfortable thoughts and feelings while choosing actions that reflect what matters to you.
Helping you respond to intense emotions, stress, and urges without needing to fix everything immediately.
EMDR, when distressing past experiences are contributing to current fear, shame, or a persistent sense of threat.
Understanding the parts of you that push for perfection, keep you going, or worry about what might happen if you slow down.
Common questions about therapy
How do I know if therapy is right for me?
You do not need to be in crisis for therapy to be helpful. Many people start therapy because they feel overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, emotionally exhausted, disconnected from themselves, or tired of repeating the same patterns. Therapy can provide support, insight, and practical tools to help life feel more manageable.
What can I expect during the first session?
The first session is focused on getting to know you, understanding what has been going on, and discussing what you hope to get out of therapy. We will also talk about your history, current concerns, and goals for treatment. There is no pressure to share everything immediately; therapy is a process, and we move at a pace that feels comfortable.
How often will we meet?
Most clients begin with weekly sessions to build consistency and momentum in therapy. Depending on your needs and goals, sessions may later become biweekly or adjusted over time.
How long does therapy take?
There is no “right” timeline for therapy. Some people benefit from shorter-term support focused on specific concerns, while others prefer longer-term therapy for deeper emotional work and ongoing growth. The length of therapy depends on your goals, symptoms, and what feels most helpful for you.
What types of therapy do you use?
I use evidence-based approaches, including EMDR, ERP, IFS, ACT, CBT, and DBT. Therapy is individualized, meaning we will work together to find the approach that best fits your needs and goals.
Do I need to know exactly what’s wrong before starting therapy?
Not at all. Many people come to therapy knowing they are struggling but not fully understanding why. Part of the process is helping you better understand your emotions, patterns, stressors, and experiences in a supportive and collaborative way.
What if I have trouble opening up?
That is completely okay. Many people feel nervous starting therapy or struggle with vulnerability, especially if they are used to handling things on their own. Building trust takes time, and there is no expectation to immediately share everything all at once.
Is therapy confidential?
Yes. Therapy is confidential, meaning what you share in sessions stays private except in specific situations required by law, such as safety concerns involving harm to yourself or others, abuse, or court-related requirements. Confidentiality and its limits will be reviewed during the intake process.
Do you offer virtual therapy?
Yes. I provide virtual therapy for clients located in North and South Carolina, as well as in-person sessions in SouthPark Charlotte, NC.
Do you accept insurance?
I currently accept Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield. I can also provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement depending on your insurance plan.