Dr Jena Field — Specialisation
Perfectionism and the Inner Critic
Freedom from the constant pressure to always do better or do more. Calm your inner critic, while keeping the drive that propels you.
MONKEY THERAPY FOR PERFECTIONISM AND THE INNER CRITIC
Perfection or failure. There is nothing in between.
For many of us, that all-or-nothing striving has paid off in successes, recognition, and promotions. It has also cost us sleepless nights, missed moments, strained relationships, and sometimes our health.
Underneath the success sits a relentless pressure and self-doubt: the feeling that it's never enough, that we are never enough.
A different view
We work with the critical part of you by practicing imperfection...
Monkey Therapy works with the perfectionist part of us rather than trying to quash it. That part of us learned a long time ago that flawlessness was the way to feel safe, valued, and/or loved.
It's trying to help us, but it's exhausted. And it exhausts us. Mistakes are inevitable. We help you accept less-than-perfect when it inevitably happens. Accepting that we are human is not the same as giving up or not striving for better. On the contrary, accepting prevents the harsh inner critic from sending us into a shame spiral or a fear response, exhausting our energy to move foward. Instead acceptance enables us to see clearly, assess and learn, find solutions, and repair relationships.
What to expect in sessions
How Monkey Therapy helps with perfectionism and the inner critic
IFS: we treat the inner critic as a protective part of you. It truly believes that its harshness now will spare you feelings of failure later. Sessions focus on building a relationship between your calm, clear, and compassionate core and your inner critic. Then we focus on soothing vulnerable younger parts that may feel unsafe, unvalued, or unloved.
CBT: helps separate the standards that are genuinely useful from old, fear-based motivation. Beliefs, thinking, and habits are examined with compassion. Outdated patterns are replaced with healthier and enabling ways of being.
EMDR and Brainspotting: focus on the stuck points that don't respond to other therapies.
Who this is for
This work may be a good fit if you're experiencing:
A harsh inner voice that's never satisfied
All-or-nothing thinking about success and failure
Fear of making mistakes or being found out
Procrastination, overworking or burnout
Success that never feels like enough
Struggling to rest without guilt
Never being able to relax or sit still
Relentless anxious feelings and a tense body
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Ready to quieten your inner critic?
Book a consultation to see if working together feels right.