Therapy for Perfectionism, Burnout & Disordered Eating
You're exhausted from trying to be enough.
Signs You Might Be Struggling:
Understanding Perfectionism, Burnout & Disordered Eating:
Perfectionism & Burnout:
Constant self-criticism or feelings of not being good enough
Difficulty saying no or setting boundaries
"Should" as a top five word in your vocabulary
Fear of making mistakes or disappointing others
Overfunctioning and exhaustion
Struggles with delegation and decision-making
Anxiety when plans change or things feel out of control
Procrastination driven by fear of doing something "wrong"
Avoiding risks unless you can do them perfectly
Body Image & Food Anxiety:
Constant body checking or comparison
Anxiety around food, eating in public, or social meals
Guilt after eating or feeling "good" for restricting
Obsession with exercise, weight, or "clean eating"
Using food or restriction as a way to cope
Feeling like your worth is tied to your body's size or shape
Chronic dieting or "yo-yo" eating patterns
Avoiding mirrors, photos, or your reflection
Healthcare Provider Burnout:
Compassion fatigue that no CEU can fix
Imposter syndrome despite your qualifications
Difficulty relaxing or making space for your own needs
Loss of meaning or direction in your work
Feeling stuck between systemic dysfunction and your values
Thinking "My problems aren't serious enough" or "I should be able to handle this"
Our Approach To Perfectionism, Burnout & Disordered Eating Therapy
You've done everything "right"- checked every box, optimized your wellness routine, pushed through when others couldn't. But despite all your effort, you still feel anxious, unfulfilled, drained, and like you're failing.
Our culture keeps women distracted with their bodies and the pursuit of perfection so they don't have time to think about who they are or what they want out of life. That ends here. There are so many more important and interesting things about a woman than what her body or home looks like. Here, we center that.
Food is a source of nutrients, nourishment, joy, social connection, culture, and self-expression. Exercise and movement can be free, fun, and restorative. Health and wellness include consumption of calories and nutrients, water intake, and prioritization of sleep, stress reduction, movement, and rest. (Btw, these things don't cost anything, which is why they aren't being sold to you).
Whether it's perfectionism driving you into burnout, diet culture telling you your body is the problem, or relentless self-criticism stealing your peace, you deserve support that actually understands what you're going through.
Here's the Problem: Society Rewards This
Perfectionism is praised. Most forms of human suffering aren't met with applause. Perfectionism, however, is rewarded by a society that prioritizes success, productivity, and appearance over… well, most things. It's no wonder we keep working harder and harder until we wake up burned out.
The diet industry profits from your insecurity. From SnackWell's and Atkins to Ozempic and "clean eating," the message has stayed the same: shrink yourself. Women are taught that thinness equals worthiness and that their bodies exist to please, produce, or perform.
The healthcare system is broken. If you're a medical provider, therapist, or other helper, you're navigating a system that was never designed to sustain your mental health. If you're struggling, this doesn't make you a bad clinician. This makes you human.
But this comes at a cost: anxiety, resentment, disconnection from what actually matters, and a body you're at war with instead of at home in.
The problem with perfectionism is that it's a rigged game where we feel like we're "winning" when things go well, and feel like we're failing when they don't. That feeling of failure sucks, and often leads us to try harder at the same goal.
However, despite what you may have been told, more effort does not always lead to a better outcome.
Sometimes, the goal is to shift the goal entirely. And that's where we come in.
Therapy with us is rooted in the belief that your worth isn't defined by performance, productivity, or the size of your body.
We practice through a Health at Every Size (HAES), intuitive eating, and body neutrality lens, which means:
All bodies are welcome and worthy: no exceptions.
Food is not the enemy. It's fuel, culture, connection, and joy.
Movement is for joy and vitality, not punishment or weight loss.
Health includes mental, emotional, and physical well-being…not appearance.
This is about partnering with your body, not fighting it.
We won't throw vague advice at you like "self-care" or pretend like systemic burnout can be solved with a planner and a bubble bath. Instead, we'll acknowledge the reality, work within your limits, and find ways to bring joy, meaning, and autonomy back into your life.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the difference between perfectionism and high standards?
1
High standards mean you care about doing well and feel satisfied when you achieve your goals. Perfectionism is often less about moving towards perfection, and moreso about moving away from fear. It means nothing ever feels good enough, and even when you succeed, you focus on what could have been better. The finish line always keeps moving. Perfectionism is driven by fear of failure, criticism, or not being enough, while high standards are driven by genuine values and growth.
Can perfectionism cause burnout?
2
Yes. Perfectionism is one of the leading causes of burnout because it creates an unsustainable cycle of overworking, self-criticism, and never feeling like you've done enough. Over time, this constant striving depletes your energy, increases anxiety, and leads to emotional and physical exhaustion.
What is Health at Every Size (HAES)?
3
Health at Every Size (HAES) is a weight-inclusive approach that focuses on well-being rather than weight loss. It recognizes that health is not determined by body size and that people of all sizes can pursue health through joyful movement, intuitive eating, and self-care—without dieting or weight stigma. HAES shifts the focus from appearance to how you feel and function.
Is therapy for disordered eating only for people with eating disorders?
4
No. You don't need a formal eating disorder diagnosis to benefit from therapy. If you struggle with anxiety around food, chronic dieting, body image issues, orthorexia, or using food to cope with emotions, therapy can help. Many people exist in a "gray area" where their relationship with food and their body is causing distress but doesn't meet clinical criteria for an eating disorder.
What is orthorexia?
5
Orthorexia is an obsession with "clean" or "healthy" eating that becomes harmful. Unlike anorexia, which focuses on quantity, orthorexia focuses on food quality and purity. People with orthorexia may avoid entire food groups, experience anxiety around "impure" foods, and feel morally superior for their eating choices. It often disguises itself as wellness but causes significant distress and social isolation.
Your Body Is Not the Problem. It Never Was.
Whether you're feeling burned out, a bit crispy, or lightly toasted, you deserve to feel better.
Online Therapy for Perfectionism, Burnout & Disordered Eating in Maryland and Pennsylvania
We offer secure, HIPAA-compliant virtual therapy sessions throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Vermont. Whether you're in Baltimore, Bethesda, Annapolis, Rockville, Philadelphia, or anywhere else in these states, you can access compassionate, specialized care from the comfort of your home.
You hold space for everyone else. Let's make this space yours.
An empty lantern provides no light. It's time to refill yours.