Therapy for Perfectionism
For adults who feel constant pressure to get it right — and are exhausted by it
In-person therapy in Massachusetts. Online therapy for residents of Connecticut and Florida.
Therapy for Perfectionism: Finding Rest When You’re Tired of Trying So Hard
You replay conversations long after they’re over.
You second-guess emails, decisions, and small mistakes that no one else seems to notice.
Even when things go well, your mind jumps to what could’ve been better.
On the outside, you’re capable, responsible, and high-functioning.
On the inside, you feel tense, self-critical, and rarely settled.
Perfectionism often isn’t about standards… it’s about safety.
Your nervous system has learned that staying alert, prepared, and self-monitoring is how you avoid disappointment, failure, or letting others down.
Over time, that constant vigilance becomes exhausting.
What If You Didn’t Have to Earn Rest?
You may notice:
Mental loops you can’t shut off
Chronic tension in your chest, jaw, or stomach
Difficulty resting without guilt
Feeling productive but disconnected
A sense that your worth is tied to how well you perform
You might not call it burnout, you just know something feels off.
I’m Maya (Gengarelli) Ribot, a licensed clinical social worker and I offer therapy for perfectionism for high-functioning adults who are tired of holding themselves together through constant pressure.
I specialize in helping people work through anxiety, perfectionism, and burnout using a combination of somatic therapy and cognitive behavioral tools approaches that address both your nervous system and your thought patterns.
My work is especially helpful for people who want real change, not platitudes or advice to “just relax.”
How Somatic Therapy Actually Helps
Perfectionism trains your mind to scan for what’s wrong.
Somatic therapy helps you notice what your body is doing before your thoughts take over: the tight chest before hitting “send,” the drop in your stomach after a mistake. In our sessions, we focus on why your system stays on high alert and how to shift it.
That means we work on things like:
Recognizing early signs of anxiety and self-criticism before they spiral
Understanding how perfectionism shows up in your body, not just your thoughts
Learning how to slow your nervous system without losing your drive or competence
Untangling self-worth from performance and productivity
Building the ability to rest, decide, and act without constant second-guessing
This is practical, paced work grounded in your real life, not abstract insight alone.
Rest Isn’t a Reward…It’s a Right
Over time, therapy for perfectionism helps your nervous system learn that you don’t have to earn safety by doing more.
Instead of waiting until everything is finished to breathe, you’ll learn how to move through your life with more steadiness, presence, and self-trust.
You deserve to feel proud of yourself not just relieved when you avoid mistakes.
You deserve rest that doesn’t come with guilt.
If you’re ready to step out of constant self-pressure and into a more sustainable way of living, therapy for perfectionism can help.
Book a free 15-minute consult to see if we’re a good fit.
