Perfectionism Therapy

Are you tired of feeling exhausted or overwhelmed by perfectionist tendencies?

KlearMinds therapy for perfectionism can help. Our therapists use a powerful combination of integrative psychotherapy and coaching to help you turn around things around positively. We can help you stop perfectionism from undermining your happiness and success.

Do you need to find a perfectionism therapist? With over 30 years experience, we can expertly match you with a therapist who works best for you. Making finding the right therapist easier.

Perfectionism Therapy London

What is Perfectionism?

Perfectionists are never happy with what they achieve, they can always do better and will often experience feelings of failure as the goals they set can be unrealistic and many times, impossible to reach. Some characteristics of perfectionists are:

  • Viewing mistakes as failures
  • Holding high, unrealistic goals
  • Spending excessive amounts of time planning or redoing work in an attempt to make it perfect
  • Being risk adverse unless “success” is guaranteed
  • Feedback or criticism is feared
  • Can find it difficult to adapt if plans do not go the way they planned.
  • Feel like you fail at everything you try.
  • Procrastinate regularly — you might resist starting a task because you’re afraid that you’ll be unable to complete it perfectly.
  • Struggle to relax and share your thoughts and feelings.

How can Therapy for Perfectionism Help?

Using a unique blend of CBT, therapy and coaching our therapists can show you simple, yet highly effective ways, to understand perfectionism and stop the pain it causes in your life. In therapy sessions you will have the opportunity to:

  • Recognise Perfectionism – there is nothing wrong with having high standards, but if these standards are too high, they can get in the way of your work, relationships, and life.
  • Understand the factors that cause your perfectionism
  • Discover how to recognise physiological symptoms of stress and anxiety that often accompany perfectionistic thinking
  • Explore alternatives strategies to replace perfectionism
  • Realistic Thinking – replace self-critical or perfectionistic thoughts with more realistic statements.  For example, “nobody is perfect”, “all I can do is my best”, “making a mistake is not catastrophic, its human”.
  • Look at the big picture – perfectionists tend to get bogged down in details and worry a great deal about the small or little things.
  • Set realistic standards – although I would like to be employee of the year, is that reasonable in my first year?

Therapy Reviews

Build Self-Confidence and Overcome Relationship Problems
….I had tried counselling before and thought it wasn’t for me. I now realise that finding the right counsellor makes all the difference. I went to see Maggie when I felt I was no longer able to cope and everything in my life was going wrong…. I cannot recommend Maggie enough. I feel in control, grounded and confident… capable of moving forward in my life. My sessions with her have not only helped me gain…
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A very grateful Lawyer!
Control Anxiety – Depression – Improve Relationships – Career Coaching
…therapy with Judy… has changed my life forever. I suffered daily from anxiety and.. negative thought[s].. holding me back..in my relationships… during lockdown..i was put at risk of redundancy.. I saw 3 different therapists before this, none of which really understood and helped me… Judy helped me understand things… control my anxiety… get back on track… I was blown away with her….
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Events Producer
Help to Find the Best Therapist
…KlearMinds seems to put thought and care into matching their clients with the right therapist. When I initially called… a very kind woman who basically gave me a free therapy session, spending almost an hour on the phone with me, before matching me with the best therapist I’ve ever had. …. Paul was amazing… he was an integral part of getting me through…
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Anonymous
Overcoming Anxiety & Work Stress – Improving Career & Relationships
After a number of false starts with therapists, I can only say that I wish I had found Maggie sooner! Over a period of 15 years I had seen multiple therapists and psychiatrists to address issues relating to anxiety, depression and workplace stress. With invariably unsatisfying results, I was extremely skeptical about seeing another therapist… utterly pessimistic about the possibility of being happy. My skepticism proved unfounded.
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Dan, Civil Servant
Manage ADHD, Feel Empowered & in Control
the 10.. therapy..sessions… has truly left a profound impact on my life. Judy… equipped me with invaluable tools to better manage various aspects of my life. The sessions were instrumental in fostering positive changes, and I now feel more empowered and capable of navigating life’s challenges with a new found sense of control. Judy’s expertise and the structured approach of integrative therapy has proven to be….
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Ola 30, female with ADHD
Help With Bereavement & Depression
I was coping with a major bereavement and it felt like a crisis… Straight away Maggie was warm, kind and understanding… I didn’t want to be in therapy for a long time, I just wanted to get better, get on with my life… I cannot recommend Maggie highly enough to you. Whilst life still presents me with challenges I can cope with them as I feel so much stronger now… over six weeks… after each session I’d…
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TV Director, London
Healing Past Wounds and Trauma
I met with Tania at KlearMinds for 12 sessions…Trust was immediately established between us….Tania helped navigate me through some difficult unresolved trauma from my childhood which had been holding me back a long time. Tania helped me look at my past through a lens of warmth, understanding and curiosity, rather than…Tania’s help has changed my life as I have finally….
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Analyst, Investment Management
Overcoming Trauma, Depression, Parenting Problems, Career Issues
I have seen Maggie for a short batch of sessions, on 4 occasions… I’ve needed help with…post-natal depression…childhood trauma…career…work/life balance…parenting struggles… the services she provides, have been absolutely transformational… Without fail, each time, Maggie has..quickly distilled..the root..issue..and given me highly..actionable..advice..I can…use..long past attending one to one sessions….
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COO, London
Career Change, Confidence Building
My experience with Amanda has been nothing short of transformational. I was completely stuck, down in the dumps about my career and not sure how to move forward. Amanda was absolutely brilliant in her approach…Amanda has helped me understand myself, step back and look at the facts around me and increased my confidence hugely….After the first few sessions I had already….
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Anonymous, London
Career & Life Coaching
I initially sought out a life or career coach as I felt stuck in a toxic situation at work…I have seen a number of therapists over the years and definitely felt this was the best experience I have had. I really appreciated Maggie’s combination of empathy and practicality, an investment that has truly paid off… working on a psychological level to understand the situation and other dynamics…really helped me navigate….
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Partnership Development Manager
Overcoming Career Anxiety & Work Stress
I had never thought I was someone who would need counselling or therapy, as I had always been very strong. However when my career wasn’t going quite as I had planned it, I found I was becoming very negative and mentally spiralling out of control – in fact turning myself into a victim. Maggie was outstanding at providing me with what I needed, not as a “quick fix” but by giving me the tools to use whenever I may need…
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Corporate Finance Lawyer

Am I a Perfectionist?

For some, perfectionism is positive.  They use their drive and goals to strive for the life they want.  They can push for perfection, without a loss of self-esteem and they also feel pleased about the effort and commitment they make.

For others, the impacts of perfectionism can be negative. They rarely feel satisfied or secure about what they’ve done, frequently being critical of themselves and others, who continue to fall short of perfectionist standards.

The origins or causes of perfectionism are less clear.  It could be caused by a fear of judgement, or a way of avoiding any disapproval from others.  Early childhood experiences, such as having parents who communicate unrealistic expectations, could play a role.  If you  believe that your self-worth is based on achievements, perfectionism may find fertile ground to develop.

So, while most would consider having high standards and striving for excellence a good thing, as this enables some of our elite sports people to train long and hard to reach excellence. Perfectionism can involve setting impossible standards and that anything short of perfection is terrible, some believing that minor imperfections are catastrophic.  Can you imagine going through life believing that you should never make a mistake?

So when perfectionism is operating you might feel:-

  • Anxious about many of the things you try.
  • Procrastinate, because the finished product is likely to be imperfect.
  • Low Mood – as you seem unable to achieve the goals you set yourself.
  • Isolated or Lonely – as you avoid people who can seem to reinforce your deficiencies.

Of course, producing high quality work, with laser like focus and attention to detail is exciting.   But when the consequences of imperfection are small, or we need to deliver something quickly which is “good enough”, then perfectionist tendencies can be less than helpful and sometimes harmful.

Therefore, it may be worthwhile considering the standards you use, and how you judge yourself.  Would it help to loosen these standards and ease the stress and anxiety of trying so hard to be perfect? Or does even the thought of loosening your standards elicit fear and anxiety?

Take the first step towards Overcoming Perfectionism

If you have had enough of feeling stressed and held back by perfectionism. If you feel ready to change things so you can enjoy the life you really want. KlearMinds Perfectionism Therapy in London can help you. Why wait? Contact us today.

Meet Our Experienced Therapists

Paul Glynn - Psychotherapist & Counsellor London

Paul Glynn

Clinical Director, Psychotherapist & Counsellor
MSc Counselling, PG Adv Cert CBT, Adv Cert Clinical Supervision, BPhil, MBACP (Accred)

Paul Glynn holds over 35 years experience.

Kate Thomlinson - Psychotherapist & Counsellor London

Kate Thomlinson

Psychotherapist & Counsellor
MA Counselling & Psychotherapy, Adv Dip, UKCP, SEA, CEC

Kate is a highly skilled therapist with over 10 years experience.

Amanda James

Psychotherapist & Counsellor
Dip Therapeutic Counselling, PG Dip Attachment Theory, Mindfulness, Adv Dip, BACP

Amanda holds over 12 years experience.

Maggie Morrow Award Winning Therapist

Maggie Morrow

Award Winning Psychotherapist, Counsellor & Life Coach
MSc Counselling, PG Adv Cert CBT, Adv Cert Clinical Supervision, BPhil, MBACP (Accred)

Maggie’s experience spans over 25 years.

Maggie Award Winning Therapist

Get a Therapist Recommendation

Get in touch for a free telephone consultation with Maggie Morrow, Award Winning Therapist & KlearMinds Director.

Money back guarantee – Not satisfied with your first appointment? Let us know. You can have a refund or try a free appointment with another therapist we recommend.

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Quality Standards

Our hand-selected therapists have trained in the UK’s most respected institutions. They hold a minimum of 8 and up to 30 years clinical experience within the NHS, private and/or charitable sectors. They are registered with: