Will I lose my drive if I’m less of a perfectionist?

No. Qualities like being thorough, reliable, and committed are real strengths, and therapy doesn’t ask you to give them up. Instead, it can help you ease the fear and constant self-criticism that make everything feel so high-stakes and exhausting. When a task can just be a task, not a measure of your worth, good work feels lighter and caring deeply becomes easier to sustain.

What’s the difference between high standards and perfectionism?

The difference is often in how it feels. High standards can feel motivating and flexible. Perfectionism tends to feel rigid and harsh: mistakes feel unacceptable, and success never feels like enough. If your standards are costing you sleep, enjoyment, or peace of mind, it may be time to look at what’s driving them and whether they’re still working for you.

Are perfectionism and anxiety connected?

Often, yes. Worry about making mistakes can drive overworking, double-checking, or putting things off, and that pressure can keep anxiety going. Therapy can help you address both at the same time.

Can therapy help with imposter syndrome?

Yes. In therapy, you can talk openly about the doubts you usually keep to yourself and start to understand where they come from. Over time, you can quiet the voice that says you don’t belong and trust the skills and experience you’ve earned.

Can CBT help with perfectionism?

Yes. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a well-researched approach for perfectionism. It helps you notice the thoughts and habits that keep perfectionism going, like all-or-nothing thinking or putting things off, and practise more flexible ways of responding. It can also be integrated with other approaches, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), depending on what’s most helpful for you.

Do you offer in-person perfectionism therapy in King City?

Yes. Amanda offers in-person perfectionism therapy at our office in King City, near Keele Street and King Road, with weekday daytime and evening appointments. Perfectionism therapy is also available online across Ontario with Amanda or Hazel.

How much does perfectionism therapy cost, and is it covered by insurance?

Fees vary by therapist and session length. Individual sessions with Amanda: $160 (50 minutes). Individual sessions with Hazel: $150 (50 minutes) or $270 (90 minutes). Receipts are provided so you can submit them for reimbursement. Coverage varies by plan and often depends on the therapist’s credentials, so please check with your provider.

How many sessions will I need?

There’s no set number. It depends on what you’re experiencing and what you’d like to work on. Some people come for a handful of sessions to focus on something specific, while others prefer ongoing support. We generally recommend meeting weekly or every two weeks. Most people find that a consistent rhythm helps them build momentum and get the most out of therapy. You can talk through what feels right for you in your free consultation.

Perfectionism Therapy in King City and Online

Available in person in King City and online across Ontario

Perfectionism can look like success from the outside while quietly wearing you down. When nothing ever feels good enough, even your wins can feel like they don’t count. Therapy can help you ease that pressure, without losing the drive that matters to you.

Book a free consultation

How perfectionism can show up

In your thoughts
- A harsh inner critic that notices every mistake
- Replaying small slip-ups long after they’ve happened
- Comparing yourself to others and coming up short
- Feeling like you’ve only succeeded by luck
In how you feel
- Uneasy when things aren’t exactly how you want them
- Rarely satisfied, even after a success
- Frustrated with yourself over things others wouldn’t notice
- Exhausted, even when things are going well
At work (or school)
- Putting in extra hours to make sure nothing gets missed
- Holding back ideas until they feel polished
- Struggling to delegate or ask for help
- Over-preparing for exams or rewriting assignments that were already strong
In your daily life
- Finding it hard to rest without feeling guilty
- Avoiding new things in case you’re not good at them
- Second-guessing decisions in case you choose wrong
- Brushing off compliments or praise

If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

Many capable, high-achieving people struggle with perfectionism. It often starts as a strength, helping you succeed, stay in control, or avoid criticism. Over time, though, the pressure behind it can begin to take more than it gives.

Book a free consultation

Common forms of perfectionism

Harsh self-criticism

“Nothing I do ever feels good enough.”

You might hold yourself to standards you’d never expect of anyone else, and feel like you’re falling short no matter how much you do.

Imposter syndrome

“Any day now, someone will realize I don’t belong here.”

Despite your experience and achievements, you may worry that you don’t deserve your success, that you’ve just been lucky, or that you’ll be found out. You might downplay what you’ve accomplished, or barely pause to notice it before moving on to the next thing.

Procrastination and avoidance

“If I can’t do it perfectly, I can’t make myself start.”

When the bar feels impossibly high, starting can feel overwhelming. This can look like putting things off until the last minute, avoiding new challenges, or leaving projects unfinished because they never feel ready.

All-or-nothing thinking

“One mistake and the whole day feels ruined.”

When it feels like there are only two outcomes, success or failure, a single setback can overshadow everything that went well.

Burnout in demanding careers

“I keep telling myself things will calm down after this project.”

Keeping up with your own expectations takes a lot of energy. In demanding jobs, where the pressure is constant, perfectionism can leave you depleted, irritable, or detached from work you once cared about.

When your worth depends on performance

“I feel like I have to keep proving myself, over and over.”

When your sense of worth rises and falls with how well you do, criticism can feel like a verdict on who you are, not just on your work.

How therapy can help with perfectionism

Therapy isn’t about lowering your standards. It’s about keeping the drive and care that help you succeed, while letting go of the constant pressure, the fear of mistakes, and the harsh self-talk that can make even good days feel heavy.

Change how you talk to yourself

See mistakes as part of learning, not proof that you’re falling short.

Let your wins count

Give yourself credit for what you’ve accomplished, instead of dismissing it.

Get started more easily

Begin tasks and see them through, without waiting for everything to feel perfect.

Rest without guilt

Take time to recharge without feeling you have to earn it first.

Value yourself beyond achievement

Build a sense of worth that stays steady, whether things go to plan or not.

Focus on what matters

Put your energy into what’s most important to you, not the fear of getting things wrong.

What to expect when you start

1

A free consultation

Start with a 15-minute call by phone or video. You can ask questions and get a sense of whether working together feels right for you.

2

Your first session

We’ll talk about what’s been happening, what you’ve already tried, and what you’d like to be different, so we can tailor sessions to meet your needs.

3

Tools you can use

Using evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), you’ll learn practical ways to ease the pressure while still doing work you’re proud of.

Book a free consultation