
Therapy for Perfectionism & Overachievement
Thomas Curran
“To move toward perfection is to alienate ourselves from ourselves, or worse, to never find ourselves again.”
Perfectionism isn't just a desire to do well; it's a constant, exhausting pressure to pursue unobtainable expectations. It’s the relentless drive to meet impossibly high standards, the self-doubt that creeps in even after you've accomplished something, and the fear of failure that can stop you from taking action. It makes you question your worth, magnify small mistakes, and leaves you feeling never quite “good enough.” Perfectionism can drain the joy from your achievements and turn everyday tasks into anxiety-filled struggles.
Most people experience perfectionistic tendencies at some point in their lives. It’s not about being “too demanding” or “too controlling”; it’s often a response to internalized pressure, stress, or fear of not meeting expectations. For some, perfectionism can mean never being satisfied with their work or achievements; for others, it’s maintaining a facade of success and confidence while constantly battling inner self-criticism.
We’re here to help you untangle the complexities of perfectionism.
At Sunburst Psychology, we specialize in perfectionism therapy in Seattle and support individuals who are driven, capable, and often silently overwhelmed. Whether you’re a professional, student, entrepreneur, athletes, or creative, our approach to therapy for high-achievers is tailored to the unique stressors and expectations you face. We also provide imposter syndrome counseling in Seattle, helping you identify the inner narratives that leave you feeling like a fraud—even in the face of clear success.
In therapy, you’ll have space to:
Understand where your perfectionism comes from and how it’s impacting your life
Challenge the all-or-nothing thinking that fuels burnout and anxiety
Quiet your inner critic and develop a more compassionate internal voice
Reconnect with joy and meaning in your accomplishments
Create sustainable goals that honor your well-being—not just your performance
You don’t have to prove your worth through constant achievement. Healing perfectionism means reconnecting with your values, your joy, and your sense of enoughness.
We’re here to help you begin that process—with care, clarity, and connection.
“We need to accept that we won’t always make the right decisions, that we’ll screw up royally sometimes—understanding that failure is not the opposite of success, it’s part of success.”
— Arianna Huffington
Our Team of Therapists and Psychologists
Who you are
High-achievers
Perfectionists
Individuals in high-stress jobs
Intercultural Couples
Mixed-Neurotype Couples
Neurodiverse individuals
1.5/2 Generation Immigrants
Racial minorities
LGBTQIA+ folks
What you need
Ease of mind
Content
Calmness
Fulfillment
Joy
Confidence
Safe space
Connection
Customized care
Our approaches
Person-centered
Solution-focused
Emotion-focused
Relational
Culturally-responsive
Strength-based
Existential
Trauma-informed
Gottman
You are ready for a change.
We make the first step forward easy and will accompany you along the journey of finding peace. You don’t have to do this alone.
3 easy steps to get started
Initial Consultation | Intake paperwork | Meet Your Therapist