Loosening the Grip of Perfectionism with Dr. Tara Cousineau

Calmly Coping

Perfectionism is one of those things that can seem like a strength on the surface, but often masks things like fear of rejection, anxiety, and a deep exhaustion from always striving. In today's episode, I'm joined by Dr. Tara Cousineau, a Harvard University clinical psychologist and author of The Perfectionist’s Dilemma who has worked with high achievers for over two decades.

Tara brings both clinical expertise and personal experience to this conversation as we explore what perfectionism really is, why it shows up, and how we can begin to shift out of the cycle of never feeling enough. If you've ever felt stuck in the pressure to perform or found it hard to rest without guilt, I know this conversation will resonate with you deeply.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The different types of perfectionism
• How to meet perfectionist parts of you with compassion instead of resistance
• Using IFS (Internal Family Systems) to heal perfectionism
• How body-based practices support healing from high expectations
• A simple mindset shift to soften your inner critic daily

Connect with Tara and learn more about her book, The Perfectionist’s Dilemma:

www.taracousineau.com

www.perfectionistsdilemma.com

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Calmly Coping is a self-improvement podcast for high achievers who struggle with high-functioning anxiety to help you feel more calm, balanced, and confident from within.

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Want more?

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My favorite tools:

🧘🏽‍♀️ Mindfulness Meditation App*: https://mindfulnesscom-partner-program.pxf.io/x97kyd

✅ Todoist To-Do List App*: https://get.todoist.io/8e7o0ay8n081

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Intro/Outro Music: Rescue Me (Instrumental) by Aussens@iter (c) copyright 2018 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/tobias_weber/57990 Ft: Copperhead

Disclaimer

All content here is for informational purposes only. This content does not replace the professional judgment of your own mental health provider. Please consult a licensed mental health professional for all individual questions and issues.

*Links included in these show notes may be affiliate links. This means that I may earn a small commission for purchases made using these links (at no additional cost to you). All products that I share are products I use, love, and recommend.