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.

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?

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

Nishah Dennison - Psychotherapist & Counsellor London
Nishah is a highly skilled therapist with over 25 years experience. She utilizes a wide range of therapies, including Coaching, CBT, Mindfulness and psychoeducation to help her clients. Her approach to working with clients is warm, interactive and practical, providing life skills and strategies that can be used effectively across all areas of life. Alongside seeing clients she expertly leads our therapy team to provide quality and excellence.
Meet our Team
Judy Harrison - Psychotherapist and Couples Therapist London
Judy holds over 25 years experience as a psychotherapist, with individuals and couples. She utilizes a wide range of therapies, including CBT and psychoeducation and has considerable experience in Career Coaching, Mindfulness Meditation and Mediation. Judy works proactively with clients to help them understand and address problematic situations and experiences and develop positive skills they can draw upon for life.
Meet our Team
Tania Turner Counsellor and Couples Therapist in London
Tania is an experienced psychotherapist and couples counsellor. She is highly skilled in helping couples and individuals address a wide range of concerns. She has a warm, collaborative, insightful approach and uses a range of therapies including psychodynamic and mindfulness, to enable her clients to understand and resolve issues constructively.
Meet our Team
Amanda Reynolds - Psychotherapist & Counsellor London
Amanda is a highly experienced Advanced CBT and Integrative therapist with more than 8 years experience. She draws upon a wide range of therapies and works proactively to help clients understand, process and resolve their concerns and conflicts. Amanda can assist you to quickly identify problematic thoughts and behaviours which negatively impact your personal and professional well-being.
Meet our Team
Kate Thomlinson - Psychotherapist & Counsellor London
Kate is a highly skilled therapist. She has worked successfully in a variety of settings, including media, TV, journalism, law and higher education. She draws upon a broad range of therapeutic skills including existential, CBT, mindfulness and psychoeducation to enable clients to achieve the outcomes they want, in terms of professional and personal satisfaction and wellbeing.
Meet our Team
Maggie Morrow Award Winning Therapist

Maggie Morrow is an award winning psychotherapist, an accomplished life coach and counsellor, and Director of KlearMinds. In 2007 she was awarded the BACP National Award for advancing the quality of therapy service provision to the highest standards in the UK.
Maggie’s experience spans over 20 years helping people overcome problems so they can enjoy more fulfilling and satisfying lives.

 

Meet our Team
Paul Glynn - Psychotherapist & Counsellor London
Paul Glynn holds over 30 years experience as a therapist and is KlearMinds Clinical Director. Paul offers a warm, pragmatic and interactive approach to help you understand and go beyond the difficulties you are facing. He is passionate about empowering clients to develop the tools that can help them to resolve stuckness and positively change repetitive, problematic behaviours.
Meet our Team
Karen Gubb - Clinical Psychologist London.webp
Karen is a highly experienced psychologist, executive and career coach with over 15 years experience. Karen draws upon a variety of therapies and coaching skills, tailoring her approach, to best suit the learning style of each client. Karen works proactively. She can help you understand and constructively change problematic thoughts and patterns of behaviour so you can realise your personal goals.
Meet our Team

Therapy Reviews

Empower Yourself – Building Self Confidence
Before meeting with Maggie, I had been feeling demotivated, lacking focus and very lonely…. Counselling was something I only considered when I felt there was nothing I could do. Retrospectively, this was incorrect. Maggie gave me support and provided me with the encouragement to empower myself to change. I had always found it hard to deal with questions, getting defensive. Maggie’s questions…helped me… I now realise… Read More
Investment Banker
Discovering Enjoyable Career Success & Creating Loving Relationships
When I came to see Maggie I was very depressed, but also very cynical about the benefits of seeing a therapist… I was working as a sales director… which I thought was what I wanted, but I had very little confidence in my abilities… I also had very bad relationships… Maggie has helped me to understand why… and…to turn things around so that I am so much happier now than I have been in many, many, years and… Read More
Ex Sales Director
Ensuring You Get the Right Therapist
The following feedback is from a client who we provided with a therapist re-match: Just wanted to say, amazing pick with Kate. Very happy with the switch. I am loving my therapy and making progress already after 3 sessions. Read More
Entrepreneur, London
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…. Maggie really helped me to elucidate and articulate the origins of deeply embedded patterns of negative and self defeating thinking, which proved essential… Read More
Dan, Civil Servant
Empower Yourself – Overcome Trauma & Build Self-Esteem
I came to Judy struggling to understand the impact sexual abuse that had taken place in my childhood had had on me. I knew there were things… weaving their way into how I formed relationships and the way I have behaved since I was a teenager, but I didn’t know what they were or how to deal with them. The hours I’ve spent working with Judy have been the most…liberating and empowering experience and I’ve learnt… Read More
Magazine Editor, London
Overcome ME/CFS Long Covid & Build Confidence
…Thank you to KlearMinds for taking such care in matching me with the right therapist…. I started sessions when I was very unwell with Long Covid/ ME/CFS… Amanda was a huge part of my recovery… I’ve got my life back. I’ve just been for a run, am a Mum to my boys again and am loving life. The connection between my mental health and physical health were much more entwined than I had realised. Amanda helped me to… Read More
Jenny, Occupational Therapist from North England.
Flexible therapy that worked best for me
Had a very positive experience working with Kate and KlearMinds. Kate was very easy to talk to and gave me space to do sessions in the way that worked best for me and I came out of them feeling refreshed and motivated. I would definitely recommend Kate…. she was kind, thoughtful and always reliable, even when I was a bit awkward about finding times that suited my schedule. Read More
Professional, IT Sector
Career Coaching & Finding Loving Relationship
I started to see Maggie as a work coach… I was frustrated with my job… working myself into the ground… not getting any returns… I’m now in a job I love, and have just been promoted! I’m now much more confident… with who I am…. in a great relationship for almost two years now… I’ve recommended her to numerous friends since and I know she’s helped them massively too… She helped me realise…. Read More
Managing Director
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….Read More
Events Producer
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…. Read More
A very grateful Lawyer!
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…. Read More
COO, London
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… Read More
TV Director, London
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… Read More
Corporate Finance Lawyer
Maggie Award Winning Therapist

Not Sure Which Therapist Or Type Of Therapy You Need?

Get in touch with Maggie Morrow, Award Winning Therapist & KlearMinds Director. Maggie can help match you with the right therapist based on your needs.

Get in Touch Today
Private Therapy Rooms in London
Online Counselling Available.

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Author: Maggie Morrow, Award Winning Psychotherapist, Counsellor & Life Coach
Last updated: 16th May 2023

Our London Therapy Locations

We help people across London and have therapy rooms in Central London & London City.

Quality Standards

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