Therapy for High Achievers & Perfectionism
(Online in California)

When High Standards Start Taking A Toll

You get things done. You meet expectations, anticipate problems, and show up for everyone around you. You keep moving even when you feel overwhelmed.

But the drive to perform, please, or excel can slowly take over. High functioning anxiety, burnout, and chronic stress often build quietly in the background until they begin to affect your sleep, relationships, and sense of wellbeing.

If you’re tired of carrying the pressure alone, therapy can help you create more balance and a healthier relationship with achievement.

Book a Free 15-Minute Consultation

What Perfectionism & High Achievement Look Like

Internal Experience

Constant self criticism or “not enough” thoughts
Overthinking even simple decisions
Feeling productive but never satisfied
Difficulty resting or slowing down
High functioning anxiety that others don’t see

How It Shows Up in Life

Overworking or taking on too much
Burnout that keeps returning
Trouble maintaining work and life balance
Difficulty setting boundaries
Feeling stretched thin in relationships

These patterns are common in high achievers, especially when success has come from being reliable, responsible, or highly capable.

Why High Achievers Struggle
(Even When Things Look Fine)

Perfectionism Isn’t About Being “Organized”

Perfectionism and achievement pressure often come from early experiences, high expectations, or learning that being self sufficient kept things calm. These strengths can help you succeed, but they can also create stress and internal pressure that make it hard to rest or feel satisfied.

Over time, this cycle of stress, pressure, and burnout becomes something you carry silently while everything looks fine on the outside.

Therapy gives you space to understand where these patterns came from and how to shift them in a way that supports your wellbeing.

How Therapy Helps

A More Sustainable Way to Aim High

I use evidence based approaches that help you reduce pressure, challenge unrealistic expectations, and develop a healthier relationship with achievement. This work is practical, compassionate, and focused on helping you stay ambitious without sacrificing your health.

Quiet the Self-Criticism & Inner Pressure

Learn to notice harsh internal dialogue and shift toward more realistic, compassionate patterns that support confidence, reduce pressure, and strengthen resilience when chronic stress and success expectations have made self compassion difficult.

Break Out of Overthinking & Overworking

Interrupt mental loops around decisions and performance, and begin building healthier boundaries with work, time, and expectations so burnout becomes less frequent and you can approach responsibilities with more clarity and steadiness.

Redefine Your Relationship With Achievement

Shift from pressure driven success to goals that feel meaningful and sustainable. Learn tools that help you stay motivated without burning out and cultivate achievement that aligns with your values rather than perfectionism or fear.

What It’s Like to Work Together

You Don’t Need to Carry All of This Alone

A clear assessment of stress patterns, perfectionism, and coping habits
A plan that fits your real life and responsibilities
Weekly or biweekly online sessions
Tools that support you during both busy days and restless nights
Space to shift long standing patterns with clarity and self compassion

Why This Matters

You Can Still Aim High Without Being Overwhelmed

This work is not about lowering standards. It is about creating a life where achievement does not require burnout. Many clients find that as pressure decreases, they feel more grounded, more focused, and more able to enjoy the success they have worked so hard for.

Meet Your Therapist

I’m Anissa Bell, LMFT. For more than sixteen years, I have helped high achievers, caregivers, professionals, and perfectionists navigate stress, anxiety, and the pressure to keep everything together. My approach blends practical tools with therapy that is grounded, supportive, and realistic.

Ready To Feel Less Burdened?

If perfectionism or high-pressure stress is affecting your work, relationships, sleep, or wellbeing, therapy can help you create a more sustainable way forward. Online sessions available anywhere in California.