Loosening the Grip of Perfectionism with Dr. Tara Cousineau

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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](https://www.taracousineau.com/)

[www.perfectionistsdilemma.com](https://www.perfectionistsdilemma.com/)


00:00 Introduction
03:40 The different types of perfectionism
09:03 What leads to perfectionism
15:00 Practices to manage perfectionism
21:46 Imposter syndrome and performance pressure
26:56 How Internal Family Systems can help you understand perfectionism
35:11 Being more self-compassionate


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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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🎵 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_... 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.


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