Good Life Project How to Quiet Your Inner Critic & Escape Perfectionism | Dr. Ellen Hendriksen
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Dec 22, 2025 
Dr. Ellen Hendriksen, a clinical psychologist and author focused on anxiety and perfectionism, dives deep into the pitfalls of perfectionism. She unpacks the difference between healthy striving and destructive self-criticism, shedding light on how perfectionism affects mental and physical health. Ellen offers practical strategies for silencing the inner critic, stresses the importance of living by core values, and encourages embracing imperfection in both work and relationships. Her insights help redefine success and foster self-compassion.
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Perfectionism Hides Behind Success
- Many clients don't label themselves perfectionists but feel like failures despite external success.
- Perfectionism is really about never feeling good enough, making prevalence likely underestimated.
Perfectionism Is Environmental Too
- Perfectionism can be shaped by environments like competitive institutions and social media.
- A 'perfectionistic climate' pressures people to perform to ever-higher standards and fuels not-good-enough feelings.
Give Informational Feedback, Not Moral Judgments
- Stop evaluating performance as identity and instead give informational feedback focused on improvement.
- Teach or ask for concrete guidance like Coach Wooden: describe what to do and how to do it, not moral judgments.
