Perfectionism Therapy
5 NYC Perfectionism Therapists [No Waitlist]
You expect a lot from yourself. When you miss the mark, even in small ways, the self-criticism can be relentless. Success rarely feels satisfying because you’re already measuring yourself against the next goal. Over time, that pressure becomes exhausting. Our NYC perfectionism therapists help you step out of that cycle and build a healthier, more balanced relationship with achievement.
Jump to a therapist
Caroline Goodhines: Good fit for new parents struggling with parental perfectionism and guilt
Allie Soss: Good fit for overthinkers
Greta Weiss: Good fit for sensitive young adults
Maggie McCarthy: Good fit for women and LGBTQIA+ individuals
Lily Ostler: Good fit for late-20s professionals
Meet our perfectionism counselors
Caroline Goodhines
Good fit for new parents struggling with parental perfectionism and guilt
Caroline specializes in one of the most overlooked forms of perfectionism: the crushing pressure new parents face to do everything "right" while managing intrusive thoughts, guilt, and the gap between how parenthood was supposed to feel versus how it actually feels.
What makes her exceptional as a therapist is her deep training in perinatal mental health combined with narrative and psychodynamic approaches that help parents understand how their own perfectionist patterns intensify during the vulnerability of pregnancy and postpartum.
Her honest, collaborative style and specialized knowledge of postpartum anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and birth trauma make her uniquely qualified to help parents who are consumed by guilt after hard moments, reacting in ways that don't align with their values, or feeling like they're failing at the one thing that's "supposed to come naturally.”
Credentials: Mental Health Counselor - Limited Permit #P140576
Focus areas: Perinatal and postpartum perfectionism, parental guilt and self-blame, intrusive thoughts, postpartum anxiety and depression, birth trauma, pregnancy and infant loss, parenting identity and values
Allie Soss
Good fit for overthinkers
Allie focuses on a form of perfectionism that often hides behind success: imposter syndrome. She works with high-achieving adults who, despite clear accomplishments, still carry a persistent fear of being “found out.”
By integrating structured CBT strategies with a person-centered foundation, Allie helps clients not only challenge distorted thinking but also strengthen self-trust. She’s especially well-suited for professionals who logically know they’re capable, yet still feel chronically “not enough.”
What truly sets Allie apart is her collaborative style; she treats you as the expert on your own experience and partners with you to build tools that actually fit your life.
Credentials: Licensed Mental Health Counselor with Diagnostic Privilege #013301
Focus areas: Imposter syndrome, negative self-talk, relationship anxiety, career stress, life transitions, self-esteem, communication skills
Greta Weiss
Good fit for sensitive young adults
Greta brings a nuanced understanding of how perfectionism shows up for young adults today. She’s trained in evidence-based approaches like Internal Family Systems and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, while also recognizing the very real impact of social comparison, career stress, and the feeling that you’re supposed to have everything figured out in your 20s.
What sets Greta apart is her ability to balance clinical depth with cultural awareness. She meets clients where they are, whether that means structured skill-building or exploring identity through frameworks that resonate with you.
Greta is especially well-suited for sensitive, high-achieving young adults who feel ashamed of their emotional intensity and caught in comparison cycles. In her work, sensitivity isn’t something to fix; it’s something to understand and integrate as a strength.
Credentials: Licensed Master Social Worker #123711
Focus areas: High sensitivity, breakups and relationship shifts, family boundaries, comparison and perfectionism, emotional regulation, young adult life transitions
Maggie McCarthy
Good fit for women and LGBTQIA+ individuals
Maggie specializes in the relational side of perfectionism; the constant worry about being “too much” or “not enough,” the pressure to say the right thing, and the mental load of trying to be the ideal partner or friend. She understands how quickly relationship anxiety can become self-doubt.
What sets Maggie apart is her culturally responsive, affirming approach. With extensive experience working with women and LGBTQIA+ clients, she recognizes how identity, systemic stressors, and past experiences shape perfectionism in relationships.
Maggie creates a steady, nonjudgmental space where you can examine those patterns honestly while learning mindfulness and somatic tools that help you not only rethink your worth, but feel more grounded and secure in your connections.
Credentials: Licensed Master Social Worker #120158
Focus areas: Relationship anxiety, LGBTQIA+ identity, loneliness and connection, harm from past experiences, coping skills development, mind-body connection
Lily Ostler
Good fit for late-20s professionals
Lily brings a perspective that goes beyond surface-level career stress. With training in attachment theory, sex therapy, and work with non-traditional relationship structures, she understands how perfectionism is often intertwined with identity, intimacy, and the pressure to make the “right” life choices during major transitions.
What sets Lily apart is her ability to see career perfectionism in context. For many late-20s professionals, anxiety about work is connected to deeper questions about worth, relationships, and who you’re allowed to be.
Through a trauma-informed, eclectic approach, Lily helps you untangle those patterns and move forward with more clarity, self-compassion, and confidence in your decisions.
Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker #099132
Focus areas: Career transitions and uncertainty, late-20s life direction, relationship milestones, anxiety and trauma responses, identity exploration, attachment patterns, boundary-setting
What sets our practice apart from other NYC perfectionism therapy providers
Perfectionism is nuanced, and therapy should be too. We take a thoughtful, structured approach that balances evidence-based treatment with a real understanding of the pressures high-achievers face in New York City.
Thoughtful therapist matching: We prioritize fit, connecting you with a therapist who understands your specific perfectionism patterns and goals.
Evidence-based treatment: Our clinicians use proven approaches like CBT, psychodynamic therapy, DBT, and attachment-based work.
Goal-oriented process: We collaborate on clear, measurable goals so you can track meaningful progress.
Insurance-friendly boutique care: You receive individualized attention, and we accept major insurance plans.
Culturally responsive therapy: Our diverse team considers how identity, culture, and lived experience shape perfectionism.
Flexible scheduling: Daytime and evening appointments are available seven days a week.
Our goal isn’t to push you to do more. It’s to help you feel steadier, more self-trusting, and less defined by impossible standards.
FAQs about therapy for perfectionism
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Perfectionism can feel like a defining trait, especially if it’s been reinforced by success. But it’s often a learned pattern; one that developed to help you gain approval, avoid criticism, or feel in control. Therapy helps you understand where those patterns come from and shift them, so achievement no longer depends on constant self-criticism.
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The timeline depends on your goals and the extent to which these patterns are ingrained. Some people notice meaningful changes within a few months, while others choose longer-term work to address underlying beliefs about worth and identity. You and your therapist will set clear goals and revisit them regularly so progress feels tangible.
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This is a common concern. Therapy doesn’t lower your standards—it helps you separate healthy ambition from anxiety-driven pressure. Many clients find they’re more focused and effective once they’re no longer operating from fear of failure or constant self-doubt.
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There’s not just one “best” type of therapy for perfectionism. Approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, DBT skills, and attachment-based work are all effective. The best fit depends on how perfectionism shows up for you, whether it’s driven by anxious thoughts, early relational patterns, or difficulty tolerating uncertainty.
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In some cases, yes. Perfectionism can develop as a way to stay safe in environments where mistakes have led to criticism, unpredictability, or withdrawal of support. Therapy can help you explore whether past experiences shaped these patterns and create new ways of relating to yourself that feel steadier and more secure.
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Perfectionism doesn’t have to cause a crisis to deserve attention. If you feel chronically dissatisfied, burned out, or overly self-critical, that’s enough. Therapy is about improving your quality of life, not waiting until things fall apart.