CBT for Unrelenting Standards, Hypercriticalness & Perfectionism
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Perfectionism and Self-Criticism
You push yourself to achieve and prove your worth, yet it never feels enough. While high standards and self-criticism may have fuelled your success, they can quietly erode confidence and disguise exhaustion as discipline.
In therapy, we explore where these patterns began — often in early experiences of needing to earn approval or avoid failure — and how to replace relentless pressure with self-compassion, perspective, and balance. The aim isn’t to lose your ambition, but to find fulfilment in progress rather than perfection.
The Cycle of Never Enough
When you’re always pushing yourself to do better but rarely feel satisfied, life can start to feel like a constant uphill climb. You may:
Set high standards at work or in personal goals, yet dismiss your achievements as “not good enough.”
Struggle to rest or switch off, feeling guilty when you’re not being productive.
Compare yourself unfavourably to others or worry about letting people down.
Feel anxious, irritable, or self-critical when things don’t go to plan.
Over time, this drive for perfection can lead to chronic stress, burnout, low self-worth, and a sense of never reaching contentment — even when you’re objectively doing well.
The Inner Critic
Perfectionism often comes with a harsh internal voice that focuses on what’s wrong rather than what’s right — a running commentary that undermines success and amplifies failure. This voice may once have helped you stay motivated or avoid mistakes, but now it limits joy, spontaneity, and connection.
CBT helps you become aware of this inner critic, understand its origins, and learn how to respond to it differently. Together, we work to:
Identify and challenge unhelpful perfectionistic thoughts.
Recognise and celebrate progress as meaningful achievement.
Develop self-acceptance and compassion without losing your motivation.
Build a more balanced, flexible approach to work, relationships, and personal growth.
Towards Balance and Fulfilment
Through therapy, you can learn to move from relentless striving to steady, sustainable growth — cultivating standards that inspire rather than punish. As you soften self-criticism and build a more trusting relationship with yourself, satisfaction becomes less about “getting it right” and more about living in alignment with your values.